Beatles and Apple? Feb 4th Superbowl Announcement?

[MacRumors]

TorontoSun is reporting that Apple and EMI are on the verge of announcing the digital release of the Beatles' catalog.

As per usual, Apple/EMI is presently mum, but sources with knowledge of the project say that two scenarios are possible for the release of the minimum 11 UK albums.

One early Page 2 report claimed the release would come on or around Valentine's Day (Feb 14th). TorontoSun lays out a couple of possibilities for the release, including a more gradual launch over the coming months, or the, instead, entire UK catalogue hitting stores the first week of June.

As previously reported, the remastered Beatles collection is expected to be exclusive to the iTunes Store for three months.

The article also claims that Apple has a "special" announcement scheduled for a Super Bowl commercial on February 4th.

Many have noted that Steve Jobs used Beatles songs to demonstrate the iPhone during the Macworld San Francisco 2007 keynote, possibily hinting at an imminent annonucement.

[gugy]

bring it on!

but, it this really a big deal?

[yoak]

Originally Posted by gugy

bring it on!

but, it this really a big deal?

I have to agree, a lot of hype. Don´t most of the fans already own all their recordings on vinyl AND CD´s already?
I know my father do

[Shagrat]

Originally Posted by gugy

bring it on!

but, it this really a big deal?

Meh!

Already own what I want of theirs.

Now Bring on the Rutles!!!

"All You Need is Cash....!"

[weldon]

It would be a huge missed opportunity to announce the Beatles on iTunes during the Super Bowl and then not have the songs available for another 10 days. If they spend the cash on a Super Bowl spot, they should make the songs available as soon as the ad hits the air.

[sbrhwkp3]

Wow... no one's really as excited about this as I am? I can't wait to buy their music when it becomes available.

Superbowl commercial too. Nice.

[balamw]

Originally Posted by Shagrat

Now Bring on the Rutles!!!

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/M...st?id=71348821

B

[Shagrat]

Originally Posted by balamw

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/M...st?id=71348821

B

At work, can't connect!

Would love to see that program again! Must see if available on DVD...

[Shagrat]

Originally Posted by Shagrat

At work, can't connect!

Would love to see that program again! Must see if available on DVD...

My god!

The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash [1978]

Availability: In stock. Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk.

All you need is Amazon...!

[MrFirework]

Originally Posted by gugy

bring it on!

but, it this really a big deal?

Maybe not, but I'll bet you a Coke they announce a new iPod (widescreen?) with it.

That's a big deal.

[balamw]

Originally Posted by MrFirework

Maybe not, but I'll bet you a Coke they announce a new iPod (widescreen?) with it.

That's a big deal.

I seriously doubt they're going to introduce another iPod that has some of the features of the iPhone before they start selling that device. A Yellow Submarine special edition iPod 5.5G is a definite possibility though...

B

[Bregalad]

Originally Posted by balamw

I seriously doubt they're going to introduce another iPod that has some of the features of the iPhone before they start selling that device. A Yellow Submarine special edition iPod 5.5G is a definite possibility though...

B

I strongly disagree. Apple has created a huge problem for themselves. The player with large storage capacity for video has a tiny screen. The player with the big screen has very limited capacity, a huge price tag and won't be available for another 6 months. Now that we've seen the future I can't imagine many intelligent consumers would think of paying full price for yesterday's technology (5.5G iPod) now.

If Apple doesn't come out with a large screen iPod before June they'll have kissed a large chunk of revenue goodbye. I don't think they're that stupid.

[balamw]

Originally Posted by Bregalad

I strongly disagree. Apple has created a huge problem for themselves.

We agree there.

IF Apple releases a widescreen HDD based iPod It'll have to be very different from the iPhone so as not to cannibalize their own sales. They might be able to pull it off if they release a slightly longer iPod to accommodate the larger screen and keep the mini's smaller click wheel as some of the mock ups have shown. No touchscreen, no wireless, just an iPod. OK maybe it would still have the accelerometer to switch between portrait and landscape.

I could also see a move from the polycarbonate+metal to nano/mini like anodized aluminum with colors.

Nothing that would eat into iPhone sales until fall at the earliest, but we shall see.

Originally Posted by calculus

I am afraid that the world is full of people who don't recognise the worth of anything made earlier than the day before yesterday.

The Beatles made plenty of good music after "Yesterday"

B

[Porchland]

Originally Posted by Bregalad

I strongly disagree. Apple has created a huge problem for themselves. The player with large storage capacity for video has a tiny screen. The player with the big screen has very limited capacity, a huge price tag and won't be available for another 6 months. Now that we've seen the future I can't imagine many intelligent consumers would think of paying full price for yesterday's technology (5.5G iPod) now.

If Apple doesn't come out with a large screen iPod before June they'll have kissed a large chunk of revenue goodbye. I don't think they're that stupid.

I think you're right. Apple is going to wedge the widescreen iPod between the iPod (or nano if they do away with the iPod altogether, whatever) and the iPhone.

Apple likes to differentiate its lines:

* iPod shuffle is portable and easy to use, but you give up screen and capacity.

* iPod nano gains the screen and some capacity.

* iPod gives you more screen and capacity.

* widescreen iPod gives you even more screen and more capacity.

* iPhone gives you Internet and telephone but less capacity.

Lots of different features sets and price points, but it's not too complicated for consumers to understand. (On the other hand, I don't really see any reason to keep the iPod around after the widescreen comes onto the market unless there would be a huge price gap between the biggest nano and the smallest widescreen.)

[Evangelion]

Originally Posted by balamw

I seriously doubt they're going to introduce another iPod that has some of the features of the iPhone before they start selling that device.

Mark my words: yes they will. iPod is getting old. And no, true video iPod is not an alternative to the iPhone. iPod is not a replacement for iPhone. iPhone just MIGHT replace iPod for some users, but not vice versa. And even then, I don't think that no-one is going to buy a $499 - $599 phone just so they could use it as a video iPod. That's why it makes sense to release a true video iPod, based on iPhone-technology (but without the camera, WiFi and phone) and with bigger storage-space.

[balamw]

Originally Posted by Evangelion

Mark my words: yes they will.

I don't doubt we'll see a refreshed iPod soon, just not one that has anywhere near the "wow factor" of the iPhone. The stuff you want to get rid of in the iPhone to make it cheaper, isn't sufficiently expensive. The display and battery in the iPhone make up a big chunk of the cost.

Just think about it this way the 8 GB nano and the 30 GB iPod are the same price, how do you think that comes about? The HDD costs less than the flash, but the larger display and battery offset that difference.

If you want an HDD based iPod with the iPhone's display and UI you'll need a bigger battery than the iPhone which will offset the cost of removing the camera, phone and WiFi, result in making the device cost as much as the iPhone without the Cingular "contribution"/subsidy of the device cost. Or, just wait for the components to come down in price as the iPhone becomes routine.

No one's going to buy a $700 iPod, even if it did have 100+GB of storage.

I hope I'm wrong, but a Powerbook G5 would surprise me less.

B

[BGAYLOR07]

Originally Posted by Evangelion

Mark my words: yes they will. iPod is getting old. And no, true video iPod is not an alternative to the iPhone. iPod is not a replacement for iPhone. iPhone just MIGHT replace iPod for some users, but not vice versa. And even then, I don't think that no-one is going to buy a $499 - $599 phone just so they could use it as a video iPod. That's why it makes sense to release a true video iPod, based on iPhone-technology (but without the camera, WiFi and phone) and with bigger storage-space.

I sure hope they do this. It would be great. I listen to a podcast called MacBreak Weekly and they are speculating that it will be a Beatles edition true video iPod. I'm getting excited just thinking about it!

[Hadley]

i was wondering why jobs used the beatles a few times during the keynote, considering he had their album covers and everything on the iphone even though you cant get their music through itunes.

im glad that we may finally be able to get beatles music online.

[UltraNurd]

I'm remembering the awesome PowerMac G4 commercial with the tanks guarding it from... Super Bowl XXXIV?

Maybe we'll get to see our 8-core Mac Pros.

[TheBobcat]

Yeah like I said in another post, BBC World Service on the radio did a story about the new EMI chief and said he was working on a deal to embrace more digital distribution, including the Beatles catalog.

[syklee26]

so there are still some people who don't have Beatles' album? geez.

having Beatles under iTunes is more of marketing tools than anything....I don't think the actual sales of their songs would be that good.

[seashellz2]

Since these are being remastered for the first time in 15 years, (If they ever have been) they will sound better than ever. Certainly they will go to reproducing original packaging and graphics, which many do not have, rather botched cut-up CD graphics.
There may be extras as booklets or bonus tracks.
It WILL be a big deal.
With 3 months head start, people will associate the Beatles with Apple/EMI Apple, iTMS and the iPod.
That cant be bad. Plus during the Super bowl.
On another note, I thought Michael Jacksons rights lapsed back to Apple Corps-sacreligeously, he allowed the songs to be used to hawk tennis shoes, instant breakfast, deoderant and SUV's.
There are some things you just dont do, with iconic music.

As for "who would want to buy compressed Beatles music?" Well Apple has just sold their 2-Billionth 'compressed' songtrack...so somebody seems not to mind.

[Porchland]

I called this one yesterday and have been trying to will The Beatles into iTunes existence here for months.

Finally! Yay!

[Shagrat]

from the article...
"The second strong possibility is that the entire state-of-the art, 24-bit remastered UK catalogue will hit stores the first week of June, .."

and we will be clamouring to buy it in compressed MP3/AAC form?

The point being????

If the remasters are that good, why would I want it in anything less that 16bit/44.1? And if available in a higher bit depth/sample rate (DVD???) form, then that would be teh way to go.

All in all, a bit underwhelming. And much though I appreciate the Beatles place in musical history, is this REALLY that much of a deal?

[dashiel]

Originally Posted by Shagrat

from the article...
If the remasters are that good, why would I want it in anything less that 16bit/44.1? And if available in a higher bit depth/sample rate (DVD???) form, then that would be teh way to go.

you wouldn't. i wouldn't, but a lot of people will. when it comes down to it people will choose convenience over quality most of the time. though one might hope that jobs, being as big a beatles fan as he is might introduce itunes HD with ALAC encoded tracks. doubt it, but it's possible.

Originally Posted by Shagrat

All in all, a bit underwhelming. And much though I appreciate the Beatles place in musical history, is this REALLY that much of a deal?

the beatles are like disney. everyone and their brother has seen the lion king twice-- if you've got kids umpteen million times -- but with any new video format it's not until disney blesses it that it becomes legit. disney and porn, porn paves the way, disney makes it real.

the beatles are the same thing for music. their appeal is universal. not to mention for boomers who have been hesitant with this MP3 thing it will draw them in by the millions.