News Archive for 05/07/27

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Apple, Gap to offer free iTunes songs promo [updated]

07/27, 8:20pm

New iTunes-Gap promo

Apple is readying a new iTunes promo. The company will reportedly offer free iTunes songs to customers who try on a pair of Gap jeans, according to AppleInsider. The promotion will run from August 8th through the end of the month, providing each customer who tries on a pair of Gap blue jeans with a small green iTunes card which can be redeemed for one free song from Apple's iTunes Music Store. All Gap US retail stores are expected to participate, while some "early back-to-school" locations may begin the promo early. Update: The iTunes promo will introduce three new denim fits for women—Curvy, Straight and Original—and one for men called Straight, according to BrandWeek. The "Find Your Favorite Fit" events is designed to get people to try on the new styles

University receives huge discount with music deal

07/27, 5:10pm

UW gets music discount

The University of Washington was offered a signficant discount as part of the details revealed in its online music deal with Dell and Napster, which would "force-feed" students the Napster music service and leave owners of the most popular MP3 player, the iPod, to buy their music elsewhere, according to The Register. Supported by public funds, the university was forced to release the financial details of the agreement, which revealed that UW will pay Napster $24,000 for 8 months of service, about $2 per student for 1,500 students--much less than the typical charge of $10-$15 per month. In addition, Dell will contribute $24,000 for another 1,500 kids as well as offer $53,000 worth of servers, as part of the agreement.

Apple kicks off "Win What You Want" contest in Canada

07/27, 3:55pm

Win What You Want, Canada

Canadian legal residents who will be enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution in fall 2005 or are currently enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution can register to win up to $5000 worth of gear at the Apple store via the Win What You Want contest. Participants start with a $2500 total which can be boosted to $5000 by signing up ten friends. Choosing your "prize pack" allows you to customize your potential winnings, should you turn out to be the grand prize winner. The contest began July 25th and ends August 28th. Additionally there will be ten secondary prizes (iPod Shuffles) awarded, two per week.

Russound offers iPod connectivity for home audio

07/27, 2:45pm

Russound iPod solutions

Russound today revealed its iPod friendly solutions for listening to music via a distributed audio system. Russound multiroom audio-video products enable entire playlists to be shared and accessible throughout the home. For homes with existing Russound components, an iPod can be connected in a number of ways -- whether the system contains Russound's RNET products, such as the CAV6.6, CAM6.6, SMS3 Smart Media Server, ST2 family of Smart Tuners and UNO keypads, or an A-BUS amplified volume control system. "We've become used to having choices for how we listen to music, and iPods are the latest popular trend," said Russound Vice President of Strategic Development Jeff Kussard.

Harley FL line adds iPod support, hi-tech features

07/27, 12:45pm

Harley iPod support

Harley-Davidson recently unveiled its 2006 line-- including a record seven new models. Harley's FL touring lineup features a standard auxiliary jack where riders can plug in an iPod. In addition, there are add-on modules that offer XM satellite radio, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a GPS receiver. "Nearly all of those options were available to try, and worked seamlessly through the in-dash display." The FL line starts at $17,800 with the Street Glide model.

BusinessWeek: video device from Apple unlikely

07/27, 11:25am

BW on video iPod

While many Apple enthusiasts, and even some industry analysts, are predicting the release of a portable video player from Apple, CEO Steve Jobs "seems to have other plans." According to a BusinessWeek report, Apple may offer video playback as a feature on forthcoming iPods, but the company is unlikely to market a new device specifically for viewing video. "I'm betting Apple learned from [the iPod photo] experience and will use video to fortify its current iPod empire -- not build a new one. That means no bigger, business-card-size color screen or the clunky battery that would be necessary to drive one, and no reworked interface. It means a device that, true to Jobs's oft-stated belief, isn't designed for watching full-length movies."

Samsung, Napster parter with XM Satellite Radio

07/27, 8:35am

iPod/iTunes challenged

Samsung and Napster have partnered with XM Satellite Radio to create new MP3 players that leverage satellite radio technology as well as are integrated with Napster's online music service. The new partnership will take on Apple's dominance of the online music market and challenge the market-leading iTunes/iPod ecosystem. Samsung said it would introduce its first MP3 players with XM Satellite Radio capability, including two miniature flash memory-based players that will utilize XM's Connect-and-Play technology. The players will also allow users to easily mark songs for future purchase through Napster, offering an integrated listening and purchasing experience.

Tokyo event may bring iTunes Japan launch

07/27, 8:15am

iTunes Japan launch

Apple Japan has invited journalists to a special music event in Tokyo. The event, which is scheduled for August 4 at 10am at the Tokyo International Forum, may bring the official debut of the iTunes Music Store, according to the report. Macworld UK say that Japan is the world's third-biggest music sales market and that Apple has been negotiating with labels since 2003 to offer the local equivalent of a 99c per track tariff, while the labels have been pushing a price equivalent of $1.50. "Japanese CDs cost in the region of £20 each. With CD prices set so high it's no wonder that Japanese CD rental services are highly popular, leading cash-strapped local music lovers to illegally rip music from rented albums."