iTunes

Apple reportedly laying off some Beats staff, transitioning Beats Music to iTunes servers

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 30, 2014

Apple’s $3 billion acquisition of Beats Music, a music-streaming service, and Beats Electronics, a highly lucrative premium headphone business, is nearing its completion.

Monday, the European Commission okayed the deal, saying it won't stifle competition in Europe.

Though still pending regulatory approval in the United States, Apple is expecting to complete the purchase by the end of September.

Analyzing the inner workings of the Cupertino firm in the wake of the Beats acquisition, a reputable publication has shed more light on the transition phase and behind-the-scenes moves...

Apple said to be buying Swell Radio app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 29, 2018

Following a TechCrunch report last Friday which claims that Apple has recently acquired data-style book analytics services BookLamp (basically a “Pandora for books”) to beat Amazon at its own game, Re/code is reporting early Monday that the Cupertino firm has another acquisition target in its crosshairs - a radio/podcast app Swell ("Pandora for talk radio") which raised $7.2 million from investors including DFJ, Google Ventures and InterWest Partners...

iTunes software and services fastest growing part of Apple’s business this year

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

During Apple's Q3 earnings call this afternoon, Tim Cook praised the success of its iTunes software and services arm. The CEO said the division was the fastest-growing of the company's business in the first 9 months of its fiscal year 2014.

The segment generated $4.5 billion in revenue during the 3-month period, an increase of 12% YoY (or year over year). And Cook attributed the growth to a number of factors, including growing interest in China and strong App Store numbers...

Here is the redesigned iTunes 12

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Alongside Developer Preview 4 of OS X Yosemite, Apple launched a new beta version of iTunes 12 this morning. The most notable change in the software is its refreshed interface, which features flatter UI elements, greater space between buttons, and other iOS 7-esque design language.

iTunes 12 also brings about a new icon, as well as a host of new features. Included in the new functionality is support for Family Share, a new option Apple announced at WWDC last month for sharing iTunes purchases, improved playlists, a redesigned information window, and more...

Best Buy offering $100 iTunes Gift Cards for $85

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 11, 2017

Best Buy, the Richfield, Minnesota headquartered American multinational consumer electronics retailer, is seemingly offering discounts on Apple products on a weekly basis. To boot your week, the company is now offering $100 iTunes Gift Cards for just $85, representing a saving of fifteen bucks on your software and digital media purchases on iTunes.

These physical cards usually leave Best Buy's warehouse in 1 business day and the retailer is throwing in free shipping to sweeten the deal a bit more...

Apple announces London iTunes Festival featuring Pharrell, Beck and others

Cody Lee ∙ July 20, 2014

Apple this morning announced its eighth annual iTunes Festival in London. The 30-day event will feature over 60 acts, and once again take place at the legendary Roundhouse throughout the month of September.

Headlining this year's Festival will be Maroon 5, Pharrell Williams, Beck and David Guetta, and Apple says that it will once again be streaming all of their performances to iOS devices, iTunes and the Apple TV for free...

Apple launches iTunes Pass in the US and other countries

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

On Tuesday, Apple launched a new service in Japan called 'iTunes Pass.' The service allows customers to purchase iTunes Store credit from an Apple retail store using Passbook, eliminating the need for physical gift cards and redemption codes.

At the time of launch, it was unclear if Apple intended to roll out iTunes Pass to other countries, or if it was merely just testing the waters for a bigger project. After 24 hours, that question was answered tonight when the service popped up in the US...

Apple launches new ‘iTunes Pass’ service in Japan for refilling iTunes credit

Cody Lee ∙ July 15, 2014

Apple has launched a new service in Japan called iTunes Pass. The program is actually quite interesting, as it appears to allow customers to purchase iTunes Store credit from an Apple retail store, using Passbook instead of physical gift cards.

Users have long been able to store gift cards in Passbook, but we've never seen a direct-to-Passbook service like this, without the need to redeem a code. It almost looks like this could be a prequel to Apple's oft-rumored mobile payment system...

Apple caught cutting some iTunes song previews down to 30 seconds

Cody Lee ∙ July 11, 2014

A few years ago, Apple extended song previews in iTunes from 30 seconds to 90 seconds, for tracks longer than two and a half minutes. The move pleased users, as it enabled them to listen to a large chunk of the song before purchasing it.

It appears, however, that Apple has recently changed its policy regarding music samples, reverting some track preview times back to 30 seconds. The change has been reported by several users, on both mobile and desktop versions of iTunes...

Apple releases iTunes 11.3, including all-new iTunes Extras for HD movies for Mac and Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 10, 2014

Apple has just released a brand new iTunes 11.3 update which enables iTunes Extras for HD movies on Mac computers. Moreover, iTunes 11.3 finally brings back iTunes Extras to the $99 Apple TV media-streaming box after Apple killed support for this useful content-enhancing feature back in 2010.

As if that wasn't enough, the company confirmed that these interactive menus with featurettes, behind-the-scenes videos, director's commentary and other interactive assets will be coming to iOS 8 in Fall...

Disney iTunes sales briefly halted in Japan over licensing dispute

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Folks in Japan may have noticed that newer Disney movies like Frozen and Thor: The Dark World have been unavailable for purchase in iTunes over the past few days. You could rent the titles, but the option to buy them had been removed.

Good news this morning though, as it looks like Disney has resumed iTunes sales in the country. Variety is reporting that the temporary halt was due to difficulties in negotiations over the renewal of the old contract between the two firms...

Apple posts iTunes U 2.0 update with Discussions, creation tools and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

Keeping true to its promise to release a much-improved iTunes U version 2.0 on July 8, Apple today posted the update to the App Store. Now available free of charge for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, iTunes U 2.0 finally allows educators to create, edit and manage entire courses, directly on their iPad.

Enhancements for students include new ways to collaborate, with the ability to start class discussions and ask questions right within the app. Jump past the fold for the full reveal...