iTunes

Apple accused of pushing users to download HD movies on non-HD devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 28, 2017

With the September 2008 release of iTunes 8, Apple along with introducing a slew of new software features started upgrading resolution of movies and television shows sold on the iTunes Store to high-definition 720p. One Apple user has now taken the company to court over what in his view files as fraud, unjust enrichment and violation of consumer protection laws.

A Florida user took issue with iTunes movie downloads, alleging Apple tricked him into buying a pricier $4.99 high-definition version of the Big Daddy movie although his iPhone 3GS did not support playback of HD content. Claiming he was unaware an SD version was available for $3.99, he argues Apple should compensate the "millions" of owners of older hardware who paid a buck more to download HD versions of movies and TV shows...

iTunes license agreement says you can’t use it to make nuclear weapons

Cody Lee ∙ June 30, 2013

Folks in the illegal arms manufacturing industry may want to double check the iTunes End User License Agreement before using the software for business. Apparently there's a clause in the agreement that says you can't use the app to make nuclear weapons.

It's not a new addition by any means—I found references to the clause dating back to 2008. But given the fact that the gem has been rediscovered this week, and is causing quite a bit of commotion in the tech world, we figured it was worth sharing this morning...

Rich iTunes iRadio playlist customization in the works, patent suggests

Ed Sutherland ∙ June 27, 2013

When Apple announced plans to offer iTunes Radio, observers quickly compared the service to Spotify, and other streaming music offerings.

However, a new patent application reveals the iPhone maker wants to go far beyond a simple 'like' or 'dislike' to customize a user's playlist.

Apple's vision of a playlist connects a user's musical preferences already part of iTunes, while offering the ability to tweak a song list on the fly. The application, published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Thursday, also outlines playlist customization based on such ephemeral factors as how a certain song makes you feel...

Apple contacting iTunes users with details on in-app purchase settlement

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 23, 2017

Apple began sending out emails to some iTunes users this weekend, informing them of how the approximately 23 million people that are a part of the in-app purchases class-action lawsuit can apply for compensation.

The settlement, which will cost Apple in excess of $100 million, stems from a class action lawsuit filed against Apple by parents who complained that it was far too easy for their children to make in-app purchases...

Apple’s iTunes owns 75% of digital music sales

Ed Sutherland ∙ June 21, 2013

Apple's iTunes is one of those happy ironies. Begun as a way to boost sales of Macs and other hardware and content with breaking even, the service now rakes in $20 billion per year selling digital warez such as video, books, apps and music - a whole lot of music. In fact, Apple now sells 75 percent of all digital music, according to a new analysis.

In a series of peeks into how iTunes earns all that revenue, independent analyst Horace Dediu paints a picture where more than a half-billion users are pointing to a future where apps surpass digital music sales...

Apple now reportedly adding 500,000 new iTunes accounts per day

Cody Lee ∙ June 14, 2013

Aside from its iPhone sales, and total iOS device sales, another stat Apple likes to tout is its number of iTunes accounts. At the beginning of the company's WWDC keynote earlier this week, Tim Cook announced that there are now more than 575 million registered iTunes users.

Cook claims that iTunes is the largest online service with credit cards connected, which is pretty impressive. But perhaps even more impressive is its staggering growth rate. A new report from expert number-cruncher Horace Dediu claims Apple is adding 500k accounts per day...

New in iOS 7: redeem iTunes cards with your iPhone’s iSight camera

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Last November's release of iTunes 11 has brought out a handy new feature which lets you redeem a code found on iTunes Gift Cards by scanning the printed card with your Mac's FaceTime camera. In iOS 7, Apple is taking iTunes card scanning to any compatible iOS device outfitted with a back camera.

Not only that, Apple states that new iOS 7 APIs for developers include barcode scanning as standard...

WWDC 2013 keynote now available for download through iTunes

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Shortly following its live-streamed WWDC keynote talk yesterday, Apple has posted a streamable replay to their home page.

I like to keep those keynotes handy for offline viewing, but saving a video stream to a computer is unfortunately a mess which involves too much trickery without guarantees for success.

Luckily, Apple has catered to the archivist in us by making the entire presentation available for download through iTunes...

Apple announces iTunes Radio, coming this Fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 10, 2013

Ending months of speculation, Apple here at WWDC talked about its Pandora-like service, dubbed by the press iRadio. The company is actually calling it iTunes Radio and pitches it as a free Internet radio service that features over 200 stations and “an incredible catalog of music” from the iTunes Store. Built right into a redesigned Music app in iOS 7, iTunes Radio streams music for free, in exchange for ads.

The new service also gives you access to “first listen” premieres from top selling artists and other exclusives. Tim Cook called it "the best way to discover new music." Here's your fine print...

Apple releases iTunes 11.0.4 with improved syncing and other bug fixes

Cody Lee ∙ June 5, 2013

Apple has posted an update for iTunes this morning, bringing the software to version 11.0.4. The update comes just a few weeks after the big 11.0.3 release, which included a revamped mini player, support for multidisc albums, and more.

Unfortunately, today's update isn't nearly as glamorous. As you can see in the change log posted above, it's more of a maintenance release, with fixes for two well known bugs having to do with device syncing and user login requests...

Muzzy puts an iTunes companion in your menu bar

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

I’m always looking for fun new features that will make my music listening experience better. Music apps are a dime-a-dozen for iOS, but there are not a whole lot of good music apps for the Mac. There are even fewer good free music apps.

Muzzy is a music-related iTunes companion for the Mac that puts an icon in your menu bar so you can see what album you are listening to without having to call up your whole iTunes window…

Why iTunes may be Apple’s biggest asset

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 4, 2013

When Apple's iTunes Store debuted on April 28, 2003, it launched with zero customers. Today, Apple has more than half a billion iTunes accounts. While not every account holder gives Apple his or her credit card details, most do. Therefore, it's fairly safe to assume that Apple with its online-only content store is the biggest seller on the web.

Indeed, an analysis by Morgan Stanley reveals that not only is iTunes second only to Facebook's one billion accounts, it also makes more money per account than Amazon. More interesting factoids follow...