April 28th Rumor Roundup

[MacRumors]

As the weekend approaches, most readers are painfully aware that Monday, April 28th will bring us new announcements from Apple. The rumors surrounding Apple's upcoming event have actually been brewing since last year.

Apple Music Download Service

The first serious rumors of Apple's Music Service (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/02/20030226195649.shtml) appeared on this site in late February, with reports from reliable sources indicating that Apple will be introducing a music download service at a cost of $0.99/song.

Looking back, however, a very similar -- but unconfirmed -- rumor appeared in December 11, 2002 as an anonymous Slashdot post (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/01/20030101214437.shtml)... but in retrospect, was clearly based on real information.

The LA Times (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/03/20030304095133.shtml) broke the story in the mainstream press - with additional details such as the planned use of AAC (MPEG4) and ongoing negotiations with the major music studios. While, AppleInsider (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030417172429.shtml) brought first word of the date of April 28th (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030402175109.shtml) -- which was confirmed by Apple themselves with a press invitation (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030421114525.shtml) for the same date.

iPods

iPod rumors have plagued rumor-mongers since pre-MacWorld San Francisco... with the current line last updated 282 days ago (http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/). iPod rumors have run the gamut -- including color screens, FW800, video out, and countless other possibilties (http://www.macrumors.com/searcharticles.php3?searchterm=iPod).

The most accurate specs appear to be from ThinkSecret (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030410085125.shtml) with independent confirmation (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030410185159.shtml) from our sources. The iPod's are expected to see a case revision, dock and 10gb, 15gb, and 30gb sizes.

Other

Despite readers' anticipation about IBM's 970 chips... there is no indication that Monday will have anything to do with the yet-to-be released processor. All rumors -- most of which have arisen from MacBidouille.com -- hint at WWDC (June) as the earliest possibility regarding the 970's.

The communication device (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030421115609.shtml) rumor is still shrouded in mystery - without further details available. April 28th was mentioned as possible launching point for this non-descript device... however, it's unclear how it would be related to the other expected announcements.

The Apple-Universal (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030411090929.shtml) buyout rumors seem to have died down after Apple's (non) statement (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030416144348.shtml).

The Event

The event appears that it will only be satellite broadcast (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030424091730.shtml) -- without a webcast option at this time, however... one anonymous report indicates that capable Apple Stores will be hosting the event in house:

All theater stores will host a satellite broadcast of an announcement by Steve Jobs on Monday, April 28 at 10 a.m. (PT). These stores should be inviting customers to come watch this exciting announcement in the store.

As always, stay tuned... as last minute leaks always seem to pop up...

[Winston Smith]

I really think the communication device will show up as something which links the Mac with a home stereo, audio and video set up providing another arm to the digital hub strategy.

[ibookin']

I hope the Apple Stores will be showing it. The Glendale Apple Store is mere minutes from my house and I have class at 10:50AM that day. I'll have to go down there tommorow and see if they have the information.

[maxterpiece]

apple is getting boring. make them do something. The apple needs to start turning a bit faster. What have they done since like 2000 that, if the public knew everything about macs and pcs that they would be dumb not to choose a mac?

[melchior]

i hope that arn, or someone with the sattelite feed does a live update on a low bandwidth page the way it is done for macworld conferences.

i would really apreciate this and i'm sure many others would too.

[melchior]

Originally posted by maxterpiece
apple is getting boring. make them do something. The apple needs to start turning a bit faster. What have they done since like 2000 that, if the public knew everything about macs and pcs that they would be dumb not to choose a mac?


white ibook, TI powerbook, AL powerbook

pushing the superdrive

ipod

jaguar

i'm tempted to just list everything apple has done in 2.333333333333 years, but these things above are what i consider significant in real world terms. xserve is good, but i wouldn't say it revolutionary. some might argue the lcd imac, but it's just a pretty picture frame really, not a revolution.

apple has done good things. and they are doing more good things. show a little grit and hold you water a while longer.

[Perceptes]

I'm holding my breath, crossing my fingers on one hand, and tapping the fingers on the other hand as I wait for Monday...

[bentmywookie]

Ok, this MAY be pushing it, but stay with me . . .

Apple's invitation said, "announcements that will be music to your ear." Now wouldn't a bluetooth-enabled iPod with bluetooth headphones "bring" music to your ears?? Sounds right to me! It may be a little far-fetched, but a bluetooth-enabled iPod is definitely possible, and would be pretty ground breaking for Apple. Maybe bluetooth headphones are the communication device? I have a feeling the iPods will have bluetooth.

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Actually, according to the french news-paper La Tribune, Apple Europas Vice President Pascal Cagni, has already spilled the beans...

AAC compatible iPod's and an online music-service.

[sparks9]

The anonumous (sp?) slashdot post sure is interesting now that we know the guy was telling the truth. Maybe the other stuff he tells in the post will also come true. I haven't read it all, but i saw that he mentioned custem made laser engraving of pictures on laptops... Maybe that would be cool?

[JPGR_Fan]

Nice summary.

More speculation now will only add to the "painfully" long weekend wait.

[Molson]

I found these old MacRumor stories. I was thinking, a lot of the rumors that appear on MacRumors come out eventually in one form or another. Remember Keynote?

Anyway, found this link about Apple patenting dual microphones in DISPLAYS (hence the connection with the new 'device'). The comments are really interesting. Have a look here. (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/03/20030302015701.shtml)

Also, and this seems really interesting, Apple patenting the iPhone trademark. Again the comments are really interesting. Read them here. (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2002/12/20021203113133.shtml)

My best bet (aside from the new AAC enabled iPods / iTunes / and the iMusic service which is a given!) is that Apple will announce video conferencing with iChat and release a new webcam/camera with high quality voice and pictures. So what? The neat thing is that the camera can plug in to the iPod to download pictures direct to the iPod. Now who has a camera with 10GB storage?!

Now that would sell like hotcakes.

Keep dreaming....;)

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Originally posted by melchior
white ibook, TI powerbook, AL powerbook

pushing the superdrive

ipod

jaguar

i'm tempted to just list everything apple has done in 2.333333333333 years, but these things above are what i consider significant in real world terms. xserve is good, but i wouldn't say it revolutionary. some might argue the lcd imac, but it's just a pretty picture frame really, not a revolution.

apple has done good things. and they are doing more good things. show a little grit and hold you water a while longer.

I'd argue that the iMac is somewhat revolutionary. Of course, Apple calls it evolutionary, but no one has built anything like it yet. It also inspired Gateway to launch a direct (failed) attack at Apple. The stainless steel arm on that thing is pretty amazing from an engineering standpoint.

[melchior]

yeah... i guess i just saw the imac as inevitable and "only a matter of time" of course, apple's implementation has been stunning. although, maybe not as stunning as they hoped. (how about expandability, apple? huh? ;) )

and i could definetely concede that the arm is very impressive. i have wondered more than once what exactly is going on there... =)

[iAlan]

I was looking at the ThinkSecret concept drawing of the iPod 2...I can't quite get my mind around the button positions and size. If we assume the screen is the same size on the iPod 2 as on the iPod, then the buttons will be smaller than the current center button on the iPod and the scroll wheel will have to be smaller to allow for space for the buttons.

I don't see the mock-up drawing as being all that accurate - the buttons and scroll wheel don't really fit, given you would want to use just one hand to control the thing, like you can now, and the mock-up would be awkward on your thumb.

A new design would be great, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Really like the idea of a docking station though...

[Molson]

I think the reason the buttons have moved is because of the docking station. In the current iPod form the Play/Pause button is the one at the bottom (due South) of the scroll wheel. However if the iPod were docked it would be likely that this button would either get in the way of the docking station (and may even become pressed) or would be hidden by the docking station and hence coudn't be used if the iPod was docked.

Hence, Apple have had to move the buttons so that the iPod can be used when docked in a docking station.

Makes sense really.

[MrMacMan]

Drat, why are they forcing us to go to the apple stores for the info?

And why must it be morning monday!

Good new all around though.

[iAlan]

Originally posted by Molson
Hence, Apple have had to move the buttons so that the iPod can be used when docked in a docking station.

Makes sense really.

Very good point, but I still don't know about the button size and the scroll wheel. If the entire body of the iPod were slightly smaller, you could easily use the button with one hand. Also, the docking station may not have a front lip to interfere with the buttons on the front of the iPod.

I guess I am old fashioned and like my iPod the way it is (I still have the original 5 gig model, but will update to a newer model in the not too dstant future!)

How about iPod's in other colours??

[iAlan]

Originally posted by MrMacman
Drat, why are they forcing us to go to the apple stores for the info?

And why must it be morning monday!

Good new all around though.

I can't go to an Apple store here in Japan - we don't have one...YET.

Monday morning is Tuesday 2.00 am in Tokyo, but if there is going to be a wedcast i will be watching (thankfully Tuesday is a national holiday here!).

Good to remember the success of the iPod in Japan has been brilliant...lets hope we don't have to wait as long as usual (refering to Apple products not beeing available here the same time they ship in theUSA) for the iPod 2 to be available in Japan, and what about the Apple music service - could it be USA only? This would not surprise me as an initial step, as there could be unique factors blocking a trueluy global music service.

Monday is not far off...

(edit - sorry for the double post)

[marcsiry]

Aren't the ports for the current iPod on the top of the device? If so, there would need to be a whole new iPod design to enable docking- one with a port on the bottom- otherwise you're either jamming the iPod in updisde down or snapping it in and then attaching a top "lid," both of which are inelegant and un-Apple.

Correct me if I'm wrong, current owners- I've only groped iPods at the Apple store.

[Molson]

Originally posted by iAlan
If the entire body of the iPod were slightly smaller, you could easily use the button with one hand. Also, the docking station may not have a front lip to interfere with the buttons on the front of the iPod.

Firstly, I don't think the iPod could get any smaller as it's size is constrained by the size of the (already very small) hard drive inside.

Secondly, the Think Secret artist rendering (whilst it may be inaccurate) shows the dock to have a front lip which would would probably get in the way of the Play/Pause button (as it is positioned on the current iPod).

http://homepage.mac.com/stuarti/ebay/attachment.gif

[Jobobike]

Originally posted by Molson
I think the reason the buttons have moved is because of the docking station. In the current iPod form the Play/Pause button is the one at the bottom (due South) of the scroll wheel. However if the iPod were docked it would be likely that this button would either get in the way of the docking station (and may even become pressed) or would be hidden by the docking station and hence coudn't be used if the iPod was docked.

Hence, Apple have had to move the buttons so that the iPod can be used when docked in a docking station.

Makes sense really.
Nope... I diagree. The buttons could just as easily been designed into the iPod base without reconfiguiring the iPod interface. Ask not what the iPod can do for the other devices but ask what can be done for the iPod. :-)

[TrenchMouth]

so here is my question, if the new iPods that appear to be coming out on the 28th are to be AAC compatible, is it safe to say that a hardware change was needed to make them so? Or, is it possible to upgrade the software of the existing iPods to allow them to use AAC as well? I am under the impression that AAC requires more processing power to decode and encode than the current MP3 format.

i have been holding out for these iPods for about 3 months now, this better be worth it. 30Gigs here i come.

[Foxer]

In today's Wall Street Journal:

Nice tidbits about the music service coming next week. .99/song, $10/album. They've got artists that wouldn't allow their stuff on other download services. Stronger safegurads to prevent transferring songs from iPod to computer. Songs will be playable on only 3 macs.

[Freg3000]

Originally posted by Foxer
In today's Wall Street Journal:


Link please?

I am only expecting 3 things: iTunes 4, new iPods, and a music service. If I expect for something else, and it doesn't come, it will ruin a perfectly good day.

[iAlan]

Originally posted by Molson
Firstly, I don't think the iPod could get any smaller as it's size is constrained by the size of the (already very small) hard drive inside.

Secondly, the Think Secret artist rendering (whilst it may be inaccurate) shows the dock to have a front lip which would would probably get in the way of the Play/Pause button (as it is positioned on the current iPod).

http://homepage.mac.com/stuarti/ebay/attachment.gif

With advanced engenering, you never know about the size of things to come, but you are probably right that we won't see much size change (just speculation on my part). I used to carry my iPod in my top shirt pocket on the way to work, so i was happy...then of course Apple released the belt clip and remote...and noew i am happier.

The current design also allows you to use the iPod with either hand, what are your thought about the buttons with either hand?

Now, how about a remote with a display (like that for MD players)?

[Ambrose Chapel]

Now Billboard is reporting that the music service will debut on Monday. Seems to have the same info as the WSJ article, from the description of that article. Here's the link to the Billboard story:

http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1874807

Excerpt:

Label sources tell Bulletin that the service is an a la carte download store -- not unlike that of rival Liquid Audio -- that is built into Apple's iTunes player. No subscription is required for the service, and tracks are expected to retail for an average of 99 cents. Once purchased, tracks are transferred to the consumer's iTunes music library and are automatically synched to the user's iPod portable player.

[Foxer]

Originally posted by Freg3000
Link please?


The link is sitting in front of me in pulp and ink... Page A1 above the fold. Can't miss it.

I suspect it is also available online at wsj.com.

[Spike Spiegel]

i just thought i'd mention that ipod rumors have run the gamut , not the gambit. i believe gambit is a startegical term used in chess(and an x-man).

[marcsiry]

My biggest concern was that the songs would be tied to a single Mac/iPod combo. My wife and I share an MP3 collection that I liten to on my desktop and she on her laptop- it would suck if we had to buy two copies to listen in the same house.

Then again, Steve's demo of Rendevous playlists implied that networked machines would be able to share their music without any limitations- so I guess it's not as big of a problem as I thought.

One presumes the upcoming iTunes update will enable that feature (first demo'd at what, MWNY last year?

[Freg3000]

Originally posted by Foxer
The link is sitting in front of me in pulp and ink... Page A1 above the fold. Can't miss it.

I suspect it is also available online at wsj.com.

Too bad that I don't get WSJ. They also require an subscription to view articles online. It doesn't matter, I got the jist of that they are trying to say anyway,

[Ja Di ksw]

Thanks for the round-up, really like those. No talk about iTunes 4, though? I guess it hasn't really been a rumor, just discussed here.

Anyway, the music service will probably come out on the 28th, along with new iPods and iTunes 4, but the rest of this stuff just seems like people getting their hopes too high. It was an announcement for a press invitation, and one that would logically be about music ("music to your ears"), not Apple saying they were going to make every rumor we've seen in the past few months come true. No 970's (especially in the 15'), no communication device, no potion that turns lead into gold. It's possible that they'll buy Universal then, though I doubt it, and I guess slightly possible about the communication device, but everything about this has been so vague I'm doubting that too. Of course, if I'm wrong, I'll be happy as all hell, but I don't think so.

One last thing, to the people who think the new button placement on the iPod is going to make you need two hands to operate it. Find a store that has the current iPods and try holding them. I have one, and honestly, it's small enough that this isn't even close to a problem. Even people with small hands, assuming we're not talking about very, very young children, should have no problem with it. That being said, yeah, I like the old design better too.

[Molson]

Having thought about it for a while, I'm still unclear about certain features of the new iPod design. Here's some ramblings...

1. Why 10, 15 and 30 GB sizes? Surely 10, 20 (current models) and 30 seems more likely (or even 10, 20 and 40). Could the 30GB model be singled out and have extra features like the Bestest / Fastest / Greatest models the desktop range used to have (eg Superdrive on the 'Fastest' model of original G4s). What could those feature(s) be? Colour screen maybe so you could see photos of your contacts? I expect the 10GB will be the same as the current model and the 15 and 30Gb will be the new design.

2. Why redesign what is already an excellent design? It seems logical that the docking station has forced the buttons to be moved (which will still be operable with a single hand). But why a docking station? I guess some way to lift the iPod of the desk and to protect it's derrier, whilst allowing it to transfer files at the same time. However could the docking station have a more important role? Couldn't the docking station have been designed to work with the existing form factor?

3. AAC encoding will be a new feature enabled in iTunes 4 and current iPod owners will require a Firmware update to make their iPods AAC compatible. Apple will not alienate the exisiting iPod owners. After all they want the iMusic service available to as many Mac / iPod users as possible.

[porovaara]

No Bluetooth headphones. For one go out there and try to source some that are shipping, good luck. Even if they were the quality isn't up there, it is a lot like the wireless headphones you can buy from radioshack, etc... even if you are willing to sacrifice some quality (remember you can only get 75k a second one way, bursting on bluetooth) the headphones are only going to have battery life of around an hour at most and still be comfortable to wear.

Secondly thirty gigs is too small. It may seem immense to those who don't already carry a lot of music around with them, but come on, the top of the line model is for the big spenders, the crazies, these people would be like me, the ones who have to struggle to decide which cd to remove when they buy a new one because their current 20g portable is already packed.

[DGFan]

Originally posted by Foxer
In today's Wall Street Journal:

Nice tidbits about the music service coming next week. .99/song, $10/album. They've got artists that wouldn't allow their stuff on other download services. Stronger safegurads to prevent transferring songs from iPod to computer. Songs will be playable on only 3 macs.

I wonder what "on 3 macs" means. If it means you have to register iTunes with an account and only 3 computers can have that account registered at a given time - that's fine. If it means 3 macs *ever*, obviously that is a problem.

And why all the fuss about iPod -> computer? I mean, I *am* going to be able to listen to them in iTunes and burn them to audio CD's, right? If they're only making it useful for iPod owners it won't be much of a hit.

[beatle888]

Originally posted by Foxer
The link is sitting in front of me in pulp and ink... Page A1 above the fold. Can't miss it.


:D

[mk_in_mke]

... I just want to be able to listen to it anywhere I want and anytime I want... I bought the right to listen to the music and to duplicate for my own use...

Why would Apple put limitations? It is my opinion that no limitations should exist for legally bought music...

Anyway... the buzz around April 28th has got me all excited... Another strange weekend in perspective...


Michel

[AndrewMT]

I for one am hoping for the mac equivelent of Windows XP Media Center. This software is incredible and is getting more an more popular as people consider tivo alternatives. Being able to play and record tv on a crystal clear, wide-aspect ratio Apple screen under Panther would be awesome. The only hardware that would need to be added is a tv tuner and perhaps a 5.1 sound card.

Otherwise, I am going to have to buy one of those hp media center peecees.

[Molson]

Originally posted by mk_in_mke
... I just want to be able to listen to it anywhere I want and anytime I want... I bought the right to listen to the music and to duplicate for my own use...

Why would Apple put limitations? It is my opinion that no limitations should exist for legally bought music...l

It is already incredibly easy to rip music from CDs and then share it with other users via Limewire etc... However, the downside of music illegally obtained from the internet (aside from it being illegal) is that the quality varies immensely, the ID tags are often incorrect or misspelt etc etc

If the Music service had no restrictions how long do you think it would be before music obtained this way (rather than from CDs) made it's way onto Hotline / Limewire servers? Especially since 'sharers' could guarantee it's quality and tags.

The record companies would never have agreed to digital distribution if it made it even easier for illegal copies to be shared and distributed illegally.

Hence restrictions will have to placed. Three computers / devices seems fair. What happens when you buy a new computer though, I'm not sure. Maybe the digital right license is linked to your name / address / credit card and when you move your music to your new computer all this information will have to be reentered to confirm you are the owner before the music can be played.

[mstecker]

I'll be so disappointed if Apple DRM-ups the new iPods and iTunes. I have a collection of mp3s that get served by NFS from my apple to a network of PCs in my house - streamed to a RIO reciever, get burned to CDs to listen to in my car MP3 player, etc. In short, I do a lot with them, and I don't want someone telling me how to use them.

I'd use the Apple music service all of the time for $10/album if I could get real, unencumbered music files - it's worth the $10 to be "legit", to save the time and trouble of finding things on a P2P network.

However, if Apple makes it difficult for me to use my music, why would I buy from them?

Think about it. For $10, I get a bunch of files that have all of these restrictions. For $13, I can go out and buy the CD, and rip it into iTunes, and get the same quality with no restrictions. Do the math, it doesn't make sense.

Really, my whole attitude towards Apple starts to change if they start messing with DRM. Why invest in an iPod? Why invest in a mac?

Harumph, I'll be really pissed off if this happens.

[Molson]

Originally posted by mstecker
For $13, I can go out and buy the CD, and rip it into iTunes, and get the same quality with no restrictions.

However if the new version of iTunes has DRM, it may be that any music you rip using iTunes 4 is protected this way. Maybe mp3 encoding will be disabled. Maybe iTunes 4 will restrict you to AAC encoding only. Maybe this restriction is what swung the record companies into Apple's favour. It doesn't affect Apple at all - you can still Rip, Mix, Burn but this time with DRM enabled AAC (mp4).

Possible. mp3 has no advantages over mp4 (AAC) at all..... apart from lack of DRM!

[buseman]

They will reveal EVERYTHING in less than two hours According to macworld.co.uk (http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/top_news_item.cfm?NewsID=6258)

[Molson]

According to MacMinute (http://www.macminute.com/) they will report live from the Apple special event.

MacMinute will be in attendance and bring you live coverage.

[suzerain]

Originally posted by Molson
However if the new version of iTunes has DRM, it may be that any music you rip using iTunes 4 is protected this way. Maybe mp3 encoding will be disabled. Maybe iTunes 4 will restrict you to AAC encoding only. Maybe this restriction is what swung the record companies into Apple's favour. It doesn't affect Apple at all - you can still Rip, Mix, Burn but this time with DRM enabled AAC (mp4).

Possible. mp3 has no advantages over mp4 (AAC) at all..... apart from lack of DRM!

Well, that's a pretty big advantage!

Obviously, the RIAA wouldn't be on board without DRM.

However, I tend to agree with the previous poster...exactly why would I want to pay for music that (a) violates the fair use laws; (b) is already compressed; and (c) really isn't that much cheaper?

I'm really surprised all of you are actually excited about someone telling you what you can do with music you purchase!

What this is, is the music industry attempting to sneak music 'licensing' (rather than purchasing) in under people's noses. Music is not software; once I own a copy of something, I ought to be able to do what I want with it, save for directly profiting from it myself.

I'll probably try this once or twice to see how it works, but I think I'll stick with my boycott against the RIAA. Music should not be encumbered, that's all there is to it.

[Molson]

Originally posted by suzerain
Music is not software; once I own a copy of something, I ought to be able to do what I want with it, save for directly profiting from it myself.

I'm sure that you will be able to copy the downloaded songs to your iPod if you have one and also burn your own CDs.

By the way the quality (even though it is compressed) should be pretty good if the comments about AAC are correct - read about AAC here. (http://www.apple.com/mpeg4/aac/)

You will also be able to share your music amongst 3 computers (if the rumours (English spelling ;) ) are true.

What else do you want to do with your music? I can't think of much more I'd want to do. I'm sure Apple will have a solution for me to stream it to my Hifi too. Some day.

[yzedf]

The acquisition of Virtual PC by Microsoft was raised by one shareholder. Jobs said that Apple's relationship with Microsoft is good and that Microsoft likes Safari. He also noted that VPC has been moved to the Mac Business Unit at Microsoft and that Microsoft acquired the software not so that it could get VPC itself, but its underlying technology. Jobs said Apple has talked with Microsoft, and Microsoft promises to continue the software. Jobs also suggested that the price might drop since royalties on Windows no longer have to be paid.

At least it is MBU doing the work.

--

Music service thing... what happens when your imac hard drive dies a horrible grinding death? If I had the cd, I just spend time re-ripping all my stuff. If I downloaded it, I have to go get it again. What do you all think Apple's policy will be regarding re-downloading? IP based security is of no good...

[Java]

Where was the statement about the Apple store live feeds taken from? Did it come from apple.com? If it is a reliable source, I'm off to Emeryville to watch it!

Also: "The offering is expected to be made available initially only to users of Apple computers." -billboard.com

I am excited!:D

[Molson]

Originally posted by yzedf
Music service thing... what happens when your imac hard drive dies a horrible grinding death? If I had the cd, I just spend time re-ripping all my stuff. If I downloaded it, I have to go get it again. What do you all think Apple's policy will be regarding re-downloading? IP based security is of no good...

Good point. I guess in this day and age though everyone should back up their computers regularly. You have to ask yourself the question, what would happen if my hard drive broke tomorrow?

If you don't backup regularly already, you should. My bosses laptop was stolen last year and luckily we had recently bought Retrospect and backed up the night before to a different computer. If it wasn't backed up he would have lost most of his life's work - and he is a leading scientist. As it was he only lost a few e-mails....

[suzerain]

Originally posted by Molson
I'm sure that you will be able to copy the downloaded songs to your iPod if you have one and also burn your own CDs.


You will also be able to share your music amongst 3 computers (if the rumours (English spelling ;) ) are true.

What else do you want to do with your music? I can't think of much more I'd want to do. I'm sure Apple will have a solution for me to stream it to my Hifi too. Some day.

Well, for starters...I have access to more than 3 Macs. Secondly, What about streaming to multiple Macs, as in an office, or large household?

Let me ask you a question: suppose CDs had a sticker on the outside that said, "You may play this CD in up to 3 stereos." Don't you see how ridiculous that is?

They're treating us -- computer users -- differently than the rest of the population, and it's just wrong.



By the way the quality (even though it is compressed) should be pretty good if the comments about AAC are correct - read about AAC here. (http://www.apple.com/mpeg4/aac/)


Dude...there's no reason for you to be speculative about AAC; you can compress an AIFF into AAC right now using QuickTime. It's a good format. Some people, however, prefer Ogg Vorbis (myself, I think they are about on par in terms of quality, but of course Ogg files aren't DRM-restricted).

My point is...obviously, AAC is worse than redbook audio (native to CDs). It is compressed, and in some cases is indistinguishable from the original. In other cases, it's not.

So, you are paying for a worse quality file that you can only legally play on certain machines.

Hey, if that's what you want to spend your money on, I could care less. It's your money. But it sounds ridiculous to me.

[Molson]

Originally posted by suzerain
Well, for starters...I have access to more than 3 Macs. Secondly, What about streaming to multiple Macs, as in an office, or large household?

I don't think streaming will be affected. Remember Steve's demo of Rendezvous enabled iTunes last year? That will probably be in this version. However, you are only streaming the music to a local network - you are not physically copying the music to every computer on that network. This may also be the reason Apple stamped down on the iTunes sharing service iCommune. It was banned right at the time Steve was trying to get the record companies to sign up.

However, at what point does local streaming require you to pay royalties in much the same way that a radio station has to? That's an interesting debate..... Maybe rendezvous enabled iTunes streaming will be restricted to so many Macs at a time..... although it's bound to be more than 3. I think the 3 computer restriction will be only for the number of physical copies of the music files.

[suzerain]

Originally posted by Molson
However, at what point does local streaming require you to pay royalties in much the same way that a radio station has to? That's an interesting debate..... Maybe rendezvous enabled iTunes streaming will be restricted to so many Macs at a time..... although it's bound to be more than 3. I think the 3 computer restriction will be only for the number of physical copies of the music files.

Yeah...well, now we're stumbling into the larger issue of how the Internet and WiFI and so forth are completely redefining terms like 'broadcasting', and how our current legal system really doesn't address the reality of what's possible nowadays.

Don't even get me started on Internet radio...the RIAA wants royalty payments on music, even if you aren't profiting from anything! In other words, they want you to pay them to advertise their product!

Oh well...I used to DJ here and there in the late '80s/early '90s, at live parties and on my college radio station. The one thing I would buy from this service is music that's out of print, or which I only have on an inferior format, such as remixes and 12" singles and stuff from the '80s and '90s.

But I have to laugh at all the people over at MacCentral that are excited about Apple signing the Eagles onto the service. I mean...how many times do these people want to spend money on Hotel Calfornia in their lifetimes?

And that brings me to my next point: if we're not buying the physical CD anymore, and we're essentially buying 'rights' to play this music on a certain number of computers, then Apple should keep allowing you to download the songs forever, as formats improve (i.e., when there is AAC2, or whatever).

The music industry needs to decide if they are selling us 'physical' files, or if they're selling us listening rights. I don't think they should be able to have it both ways, but unfortunately, at least in the USA, that's exactly what they're succeeding at getting right now.

[Wonder Boy]

Originally posted by iAlan

iMac, iBook, iPod, Nikkon Still Digital Camera, Sony Digital Video Camera...all add up to my iLife.


I have the same set up!

[sparks9]

Originally posted by mstecker
I'll be so disappointed if Apple DRM-ups the new iPods and iTunes. I have a collection of mp3s that get served by NFS from my apple to a network of PCs in my house - streamed to a RIO reciever, get burned to CDs to listen to in my car MP3 player, etc. In short, I do a lot with them, and I don't want someone telling me how to use them.

I'd use the Apple music service all of the time for $10/album if I could get real, unencumbered music files - it's worth the $10 to be "legit", to save the time and trouble of finding things on a P2P network.

However, if Apple makes it difficult for me to use my music, why would I buy from them?

Think about it. For $10, I get a bunch of files that have all of these restrictions. For $13, I can go out and buy the CD, and rip it into iTunes, and get the same quality with no restrictions. Do the math, it doesn't make sense.

Really, my whole attitude towards Apple starts to change if they start messing with DRM. Why invest in an iPod? Why invest in a mac?

Harumph, I'll be really pissed off if this happens.

Then don't buy it - buy cds instead! Don't complain! Apple has to put some type of limitation on the songs or they would never get the rights to sell songs from the record companies.

[Molson]

If iTunes 4 does become mp4 only (ie only AAC encoding) does this mean that CDs burnt with mp4 files (like mp3 CDs at the moment) will be playable on car stereos and CD players that accept and play mp3 CDs?

[gwangung]

once I own a copy of something, I ought to be able to do what I want with it, save for directly profiting from it myself.

Sorry, but if you do something like give away free copies of that something to all your friends and all of THEIR friends, I'm not sure you ought to be able to do that.

As someone who's creates stuff that people pay to see and hear, I care that I get compensated for what I do. If you open a window and let your friends in to see a show that you paid a ticket for, you;re not directly profiting from it...but you're sure as hell cutting into my revenues.

All this talk about the RIAA is ************, anyway. Substitute the name of the artist in there and the argument falls apart. Until you can find a way to separate the artist from the RIAA, all you're doing is screwing the artist over.

[macphisto]

Knowing Apple, and their love of surprises and secrets, I bet that Apple will introduce all of the products that have been swirling about (as far as the music service, iPods, and the mystery communication device), but I bet that Apple will slip in news of the new towers (970), just as an FYI/preview for the WWDC. Just a hunch,...or maybe a little more.

:D

[macdong]

I listen to classical music, ONLY (yeah, call me freak).
And I've been wondering if Apple will include classical music in the music service.
Classical music can easily go beyond 30 minutes.
I'd be happier than ever if they do :D

[suzerain]

Originally posted by gwangung
As someone who's creates stuff that people pay to see and hear, I care that I get compensated for what I do. If you open a window and let your friends in to see a show that you paid a ticket for, you;re not directly profiting from it...but you're sure as hell cutting into my revenues.

All this talk about the RIAA is ************, anyway. Substitute the name of the artist in there and the argument falls apart. Until you can find a way to separate the artist from the RIAA, all you're doing is screwing the artist over.

Ummm...that's a load of crap. The "artists" screwed themselves when they chose to sign on with a bunch of scumsucking leeches. They are part of the same machine...I have no more (or less) sympathy for them than I do for the lawyers that are vigorously fighting for the DMCA, or the members of the mafia who have to be paid in order to get a song on the radio.

If you chose to be a member of this group, that's not my problem -- it's yours.

Whenever I can give my money directly to artists...I'm more than happy to, like when I see my a band play at a bar, or buy a painting. But when 'artists' sign away the rights to their work in order to join a corporate machine whose sole intent is packaging things for commercial consumption, they cease to be anything even resembling 'artists' at that point, and are just purveyors of corporate greed.

I'm sorry, but art for me does not include: (a) DRM; (b) legalized hacking into your computer; (c) eavesdropping on communications; (d) industry-wide price collusion; and (e) organized crime controlling distribution mechanisms.

Maybe for you, that is 'art'. I call it corporate greed.

To get back on topic, if Apple's joining this party (stifling listeners' rights) with this service, then I'll pass. That's all I'm saying.

And you're right that I shouldn't be able to give your work away; I meant to refer to personal -- or scholarly -- fair use.

[gwangung]

Whenever I can give my money directly to artists...I'm more than happy to, like when I see my a band play at a bar, or buy a painting. But when 'artists' sign away the rights to their work in order to join a corporate machine whose sole intent is packaging things for commercial consumption, they cease to be anything even resembling 'artists' at that point, and are just purveyors of corporate greed.

Hrm. Basically, what you're saying is that if I do it in front of 30 people, it's art, but if I get help and get it distributed to a 100,000 people, I stop being an artist?

Sorry, but that just sounds screwed up to me.

I understand the problems with the overzealous use of DRM, but I sure as hell want to get paid if someone gets my stuff and likes it. Make as many copies as you want for yourself; play it for your friends, but give me some respect...don't just give it away to them.

[Wardofsky]

Someone please kill me, my iPod is arriving on Monday!! (AUS time so technically it will still be Sunday in the US)

:(

[trebblekicked]

luckily, i don't have the problem of supporting the wicked RIAA when i buy music. whenever i buy a cd, i either buy it A) direct from the label or B) from my local, non-chain record store. i have not bought an album from one of the five major labels in eight years, and i don't see an instance when i ever will again.

the record industry is run by greedy pigs who leech off of quasi-talented twenty-somethings and middle-aged has beens and barely-legal bombshells while endevouring only to clean out your average teenager's allowance every week. ******* them.

But if Apple can make a buck off them, i say go nuts. Just won't be one of mine. I doubt apple will even bother to sign up the labels that i acually support (merge, matador, thrill jockey, orange twin, cloud, etc etc etc)

[Paul Turpin]

Whenever I can give my money directly to artists...I'm more than happy to, like when I see my a band play at a bar, or buy a painting. But when 'artists' sign away the rights to their work in order to join a corporate machine whose sole intent is packaging things for commercial consumption, they cease to be anything even resembling 'artists' at that point, and are just purveyors of corporate greed

This is bull. There is lots of grey area in between. How do you differentiate between a large label and a small label - where do you draw the line between those deemed evil and should therefore be stolen from and those that are small enough to be cool and should not be stolen from. Or are you saying all record labels are evil - even the ones with one employees and two bands? It will be interesting to see how independent labels are dealt with in this whole thing. They seem to have the most to gain and the most to lose!

After reading this discussion for a while I clicked on the MacRumors advertiser and found their FAQ to be exactly on topic - and pretty much exactly what I agree with......

5. How does LUCKYDISC feel about filesharing and peer-to-peer networks?

Ah...the inevitable question! We feel that filesharing and peer-to-peer networks are innovative new technologies and should in no way be censored or prohibited simply because some people choose to abuse them. After all, no more would suggest outlawing crowbars because they can be used to break into someone's house!

That said, LUCKYDISC is totally opposed to the illegal sharing of music and other copyrighted material via peer-to-peer networks. In recent years, a lot of attention has been focused on how the record industry does business. Consumers and artists alike are routinely outraged by the major labels' predatory and arbitrary business practices. While one can argue that major labels are anything but fair, there is simply no excuse for stealing music.

When you share music, you take money out of an artist's pocket. Period. Every album is something of a gamble for the record industry. The label puts up a lot of money to produce and market an album with very few guarantees. If the label doesn't see sales, that artist will likely be dropped, or worse, remain contractually obligated, yet prohibited from recording new material. Sure, artists sometimes sign very bad deals and labels often shirk their responsibility to fully promote a record. None of this justifies stealing music.

LUCKYDISC does, however, believe in fair use. Although there are differences of opinion on what constitutes fair use, we feel that if you buy something (ie: a music CD), you have the right to copy it for personal use. It is our belief that the consumer should never be prevented from ripping music to MP3, MP4, etc., transfering music to his or her iPod (or other such device), or making a custom mixed CD. LUCKYDISC opposes any legislation or other such efforts to prevent the consumer from exercising his or her fair use rights.