iTunes

898 'iTunes' stories September 2010 - March 2016

Star Wars: The Force Awakens set to hit iTunes early next month ahead of Blu-ray release

Justin Kahn Mar 3 2016 - 10:25 am PT

After grossing more than $2 billion worldwide at the box office, Disney has now announced some details on what expect for the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-ray combo pack and DVD release. Disney announced this morning that we can expect it to release digitally (on iTunes/Amazon/others) and on Disney Movies Anywhere on April 1st, while the Blu-ray/DVD packs will come on April 5th with a host of bonus content and more. Disney also noted the 3D version of Star Wars: The Force Awakens will come available “later this year.”

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Apple updates iOS 9.2.1 to restore iPhones affected by ‘error 53’, apologizes to customers

Zac Hall Feb 18 2016 - 10:17 am PT

34 Comments

Apple today has released a new version of iOS 9.2.1 that will remedy bricked iPhones affected by ‘error 53‘ after servicing hardware with Touch ID (via TechCrunch). iOS 9.2.1 is the same version number released last month, but the updated build from 13D15 to 13D20 reflects the resolution for bricked iPhones.

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‘Steve Jobs’ biopic now available to buy on Blu-ray and DVD

Benjamin Mayo Feb 16 2016 - 2:44 am PT

12 Comments

Steve Jobs, the official Sony biopic film for Walter Isaacson’s Jobs biography, received a muted response at the box office. The film received decent reviews from critics with an engaging story and unique approach to filming and movie-making, with Aaron Sorkin conjuring the plot around just three Steve Jobs product keynotes.

If you didn’t get the chance (or chose not to) to see the film at the movie theater, you can now buy it on Blu-ray and DVD from today. The film was also released on iTunes as a digital download last week, but it seems Apple is intentionally not promoting the movie on its store — the film has got no special placement on the iTunes storefront.

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Dr Dre said to be starring in Apple Music’s first original series called Vital Signs

Zac Hall Feb 12 2016 - 10:33 am PT

20 Comments

When Apple bought Beats back in 2014, it got a headphone/speaker line and the foundation for what became Apple Music. Now it appears that Beats co-founder and rap legend Dr Dre is going to be playing an even bigger role in the company. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Apple is currently producing an original series called Vital Signs with Dr Dre as the show’s star. It’s a new move for Apple, creating original video content, and one that is expected to be used to promote Apple Music.

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Apple execs Eddy Cue & Craig Federighi talk Apple Music, App Store & more in new interview

Greg Barbosa Feb 12 2016 - 10:33 am PT

14 Comments

John Gruber surprised podcast listeners today by getting Apple’s own Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi on The Talk Show to discuss a variety of topics behind Apple. Since Tim Cook took leadership at Apple, it hasn’t been unheard of for Apple execs to appear on Gruber’s show. The first occurrence was last June when Phil Schiller met John Gruber on stage during WWDC to discuss Apple’s recent announcements and decisions over the past few years. This marks the second time that Federighi has been on the The Talk Show, and Cue’s first.

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Russia wants to force Apple & Google to pay more tax, apply 18% VAT to App Store purchases

Ben Lovejoy Feb 9 2016 - 5:26 am PT

9 Comments

In what Bloomberg describes as ‘a 90-minute interview peppered with expletives,’ Russia’s new Internet advisor has said that he wants to force Apple and Google to pay more taxes.

German Klimenko is pushing to raise taxes on U.S. companies to help level the playing field for Russian competitors such as Yandex and Mail.ru […]

Bloomberg says that he has an interesting ally in this aim …

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Report: Apple looking to produce its own exclusive TV shows as original content for iTunes

Benjamin Mayo Jan 29 2016 - 6:53 am PT

16 Comments

Apple has dipped its toes in original content with projects like the Beats 1 radio station, but there has been a lot of speculation around whether the company will ever produce its own media content, as both Amazon and Netflix have shown it can be very lucrative, launching many successful independent television series in recent years.

According to a contributor report from The Street, Apple is now looking to take that jump. It wants to produce original TV shows as exclusive content for its iTunes library offerings, according to the report, having spoken to ‘members of the Hollywood creative community’ late in 2015. These new TV shows could form part of a future Apple TV cable subscription service.

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Jeremy’s 5: New emoji, T-Mobile LTE CellSpot, Google Photos, iTunes account merging + iOS beta battery

Jeremy Horwitz Jan 21 2016 - 8:52 am PT

11 Comments

Welcome to the latest edition of Jeremy’s 5, my latest quick roundup of 5 interesting little things that aren’t big enough for full articles, but are still worth sharing with you.

This week, I’m looking at the next wave of emoji, T-Mobile’s 4G LTE CellSpot, Google Photos, iCloud/iTunes Account Merging, and battery drain from the latest iOS beta…

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Starbucks app now lets you save Spotify playlists you hear playing in its stores

Jordan Kahn Jan 19 2016 - 8:44 am PT

3 Comments

For me, coffee at Starbucks is secondary to the great music you discover courtesy of your twenty-something barista’s Spotify DJ skills. The good news is you can now easily save those Spotify playlists for listening later through an update to the Starbucks iPhone app today.
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Apple Music experiencing issues for subscribers across the globe [Update: Apple says fixed]

Zac Hall Jan 14 2016 - 6:08 am PT

3 Comments

[Update: Apple’s system status board has been updated to acknowledge the blip and note the issue is over.]

If you’re having issues getting started with Apple Music this morning, you’re not alone. The iOS app started the day by asking subscribers to sign up and join Apple Music (a force quit fixed for me but the problem persists) and iTunes on the Mac is also serving up error messages for a great number of users.

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How-to: Make built-in iOS apps vanish, and force app updates on iOS 9

Ben Lovejoy Jan 4 2016 - 7:19 am PT

11 Comments

One of the minor irritants for those of us who have slight OCD tendencies is that there’s no way you can remove built-in iPhone apps – the best you can do is tuck them away inside a folder, which in my case is called unused.

But YouTube user Jose Rodriguez has found a couple of ways to actually render them invisible – at least for now. The main method, shown in the video below, works for iOS 9 to 9.2. Essentially you drag the app toward the right edge of a folder, then let it go. You then repeat this, but the second time keep touching it while you press the home button – the app then disappears …

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Feature Request: Latest Apple Music ‘For You’ playlists auto-downloaded, and an official lyrics feature

Ben Lovejoy Dec 30 2015 - 7:43 am PT

19 Comments

Prior to the launch of Apple Music, I had a Spotify Premium subscription. Although I listened to my own music a good 80% of the time, I considered the equivalent of one album purchase a month to be decent value to have access to other music when I felt like something new.

But while Spotify didn’t much change the way I listened to music, Apple Music really has. Its ‘For You’ recommendations – especially the playlists – are so good that the 20% streaming I used to do has now grown to 50%. As I mentioned in my Apple Music Diary series, the service has introduced me to more new artists I really like than Spotify did in all the years I used it – despite my initial concerns that it wouldn’t do so.

But the very effectiveness of Apple Music in introducing me to so much new music has thrown up a couple of problems …

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9to5Toys Last Call: iTunes $100 Gift Card $80, iPad Air 2 Smart Cover $18, Beats Solo2 $100, more

Trevor Daugherty Dec 28 2015 - 9:06 am PT

0 Comments

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

Anker iPhone/iPad accessories: Car Chargers from $6, Nylon MFi Lightning Cable $8, more

Here are the Holiday Best Sellers from Amazon’s record-breaking year
TurboTax 2015 for Mac/PC price drops: Deluxe $40, Premier $55, Home & Business $65, more
Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard for iPhone/iPad/Mac: $30 (Reg. $40)
Thimble’s DIY robot subscription service launches on Kickstarter to great success
Fashion: Nike extra 25% off clearance – Vapor Jacket $82 (Orig. $130), more
CBS All Access: Free two-month trial for Chromecast owners ($12 value)
Sports/Fitness: Sport-Brella Umbrella w/ clamp $15 (Orig. $30), more
Home: Panasonic Stainless Steel Microwave $100 (Reg. $130+), more

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/681533407428481025 align=’center’]

$100 iTunes Physical Gift Card for $80 shipped (20% off): save on apps, music, movies, more!

Apple iPad Air 2 Smart Cover $18 (Reg. $35), Smart Case $35 (Reg. $70), more

Beats Headphones: Solo2 On-Ear $100 (Reg. $200), Powerbeats2 In-Ear $85 (Reg. $150)

Write-Off Week™: Last chance to write off biz expenses w/ best deals on office equipment, tech, supplies, more

iTunes is hosting a rare sale on HD movies, including $5 titles + heavily discounted bundles

Hundreds of iOS/Mac games & apps are on sale for the holidays, these are the best ones you can’t afford to miss

Starbucks $15 gift card for $10: save 30% on your favorite drinks!

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Macbook Air 11.6″ Core i5 4GB/128GB w/.edu: $750 shipped ($250 off, $700 without .edu or less)

Apple 12-inch MacBook w/ Retina display 1.2GHz/8GB/512GB: $1,440 shipped (Reg. $1,599)

Media: Burn Notice Complete Series $48 (Reg. $80), more
Games/Apps: The Witcher 3 (digital) $25, Borderlands Handsome $29, more
TRENDnet 802.11n Travel Router w/ USB: $7 shipped (Orig. $53)
Daily Deals: Jabra Solemate Bluetooth Speaker $45, more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Apple-certified Lightning 3600mAh Aukey Portable Battery Pack + MFi cable: $10 shipped

B&H: $70 off Apple Watch Stainless PLUS $100 Gift card (Tax only in NY) starting at $379 effective

iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi: 16GB $250 (Orig. $399), 128GB $425 (Orig. $599)

Best Buy Apple sale: iPad Air 2 $125 off, iPad Air $100 off, iPad mini 4 $100 off, much more!

Apple TV 32GB (4th generation) w/ Siri remote + 6-ft HDMI cable: $126 shipped (~$155 value)

No setup or batteries required! Belkin MFi Lightning iPad Keyboard: $34 (Reg. $60)
Google Chromecast v1: $20 shipped (Orig. $35)
Save 75% on any movie rental from Amazon, watch Marvel’s Ant-Man for just $1.50
Year-End Android Game Deals: NBA Jam $.10, Goat Simulator $.99, more
1Password for Mac drops to $32 for the holiday season (Reg. $50)
DuckTales: Remastered for iOS goes on sale for the very first time: $1 (Reg. $10)
Grab the entire Infinity Blade Trilogy on iOS for just $1 each ($20 value)
Get 12 months of Adobe’s Creative Cloud plan with Photoshop for $96 (20% savings)
Digits, the calculator for humans on iOS drops to just $1 (Reg. $4)
Xbox Store Digital Sale: Save on games, DLCs, more + free trials for streaming services
Fashion: 25% off at Amazon, 40% off Timex Watches, more
Logitech Harmony Ultimate Touchscreen Remote: $195 shipped (Reg. $250+)
Google Play Discounts: Save 75% on a movie rental or 50% off one music album
Headphones: Philips Over-Ears w/ Lightning Connector $199 (Reg. $240+)
Grab the Hitman GO & Hitman Sniper iOS bundle for just $1 ($8 value)
VIZIO Bluetooth Soundbar system w/ wireless subwoofer: $300 (Reg. $500)
Chromecast users can grab a two month free trial of Sling’s Best of Live TV package
Google is offering a free $20 Best Buy Gift Card when you use Android Pay

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

ShiftWear sneakers use flexible displays to showcase custom artwork on your shoes

The new iOS-connected Hamwells e-Shower recycles your water with eyes on saving energy

Hult blends copper and concrete in a stunning modern take on the Bluetooth speaker
Get Canary’s all-in-one home security system + air quality sensor for $179 (Reg. $200)
Netflix Preview for 2016: Chelsea Does, Fuller House, Marvel’s Luke Cage, more
Tiny Arcade puts those 80’s gaming cabinets in the palm of your hand
The FLUXO Smart Lamp lets iOS and Android users paint their walls with light
YoCam tops GoPro’s tiny action camera in features, but does it matter?
This limited edition Rolls Royce cocktail kit is a must see for car and James Bond fans alike

Apple launches Boxing Week iTunes sale w/ discounted albums in Canada & UK

Jordan Kahn Dec 26 2015 - 10:01 am PT

1 Comment

As it does every year, Apple has officially kicked off its iTunes Boxing Week sale with discounts on select albums for this week only.

The sale, which both UK and Canadian users will find under a special section in the iTunes store on both iOS and Mac, will likely remain available through the end of the week. While “Boxing Day” is officially recognized in Canada and elsewhere on the 26th, retailers usually offer a Black Friday-type event for Boxing Day with most sales lasting the entire week following Dec. 25.

For Boxing Day this year, Apple is offering a long-list of popular albums, normally $9.99, starting at just $6.99 in Canada. There are other albums on offer for $7.99 as well. The deals are grouped into four sections including Hot in 2015, Essential Albums, Musique Francophone, and Discovery Artists.

On the UK iTunes store Apple doesn’t use the “Boxing Day” branding, but it is also offering popular albums from £3.99 in a special section on iTunes starting this week.

Check out the iTunes Boxing Day sale in Canada and the UK sale now. And you might want to grab some discounted iTunes gift cards first.

iTunes is hosting a rare sale on HD movies, including $5 titles + heavily discounted bundles

Dec 23 2015 - 9:02 am PT

6 Comments

From 9to5Toys.com:

Typically iTunes is the last place you want to shop for media deals, but right now you can score a number of popular movies at all-time low prices. Take this opportunity to fill your iTunes library with brand new content.

You’ll find a selection of popular movies priced at just $4.99 a piece to own, which is just about the same as a rental. Titles include: The LEGO Movie, Gravity, American Hustle, Divergent, The Expendables 3, and The Skeleton Twins.

Dozens of HD movie bundles have also received major price drops. Here are our top picks:

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VLC media app gains Split Screen + Touch ID features on iOS, much more

Zac Hall Dec 22 2015 - 8:15 am PT

3 Comments

[Update: VLC incorrectly included Apple TV support in today’s release notes. That release is coming “very soon” but not available today. The iOS/watchOS updates are out today.]

[Update 1/12/2016: VLC for Apple TV is now available.]

The popular VLC app for playing a variety of media formats not supported by iTunes has now made its way to the new Apple TV. We heard in September that VLC for Apple TV was in the works, and last month the team started accepting beta testers. Today VLC for Mobile delivered a major update that includes the first Apple TV version as well as a handful of new features on iPhones and iPads.

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High-resolution audio once more rumored to be coming to iTunes, maybe to Apple Music

Ben Lovejoy Dec 21 2015 - 4:09 am PT

23 Comments

Japanese blog Macotakara claims that Apple is planning better-than-CD quality audio for iTunes at some point in 2016.

According to several insiders familiar with Apple, whose products are exhibited at Portable Audio Festival, Apple has been developing hi-res audio streaming up to 96kHz/24-bit in 2016.

By way of comparison, CDs offer 44kHz/16-bit. The sources cited appear to be manufacturers making Lightning-based headphones, which would support the hi-res format. It should be noted, however, that Apple has been sourcing at least some of its music at 96kHz/24-bit for many years …

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‘Steve Jobs’ film set to get digital, DVD, & Blu-ray release February 2

Jordan Kahn Dec 16 2015 - 10:26 am PT

1 Comment

Universal Pictures has announced it’s set to give ‘Steve Jobs’, directed by Danny Boyle and starring Michael Fassbender, a release on digital services, Blu-ray, and DVD February 2.

Blu-ray and DVD bonuses include “Inside Jobs: The Making of Steve Jobs,” a documentary detailing the making of the film, as well as feature commentary by Danny Boyle, Aaron Sorkin, and editor Elliot Graham.

The film originally opened to mixed reviews from critics and was, according to reports, generally disliked by those close to Jobs. It eventually bombed nationwide following what were reportedly highest per-theatre earnings of the year on its limited opening weekend. Still, the film may earn its creators a Golden Globe award or two next month.

We’d expect the digital release to hit iTunes and other online video services, but for now Universal is only confirming there will be a “Digital HD UltraViolet” release alongside the Blu-ray and DVD on February 2.

[youtube=https://youtu.be/KnOEdJR0rdM]

Apple Music hypes The Force Awakens with new Star Wars featured station

Zac Hall Dec 16 2015 - 6:48 am PT

6 Comments

Take a break from all the Christmas music and check out another new featured station from Apple Music’s Radio section today: Star Wars.

The stellar movie-themed station features tracks picked from the soundtrack of each film in the collection (even the prequels) so you can get hyped for The Force Awakens opening this week.

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Apple releases iTunes 12.3.2 with changes to Classical listings in Apple Music

Mike Beasley Dec 11 2015 - 11:22 am PT

2 Comments

Apple has pushed an iTunes update to match Apple Music changes made earlier this week in iOS 9.2. The change includes a new way to view Classical music on the streaming service, allowing users to see works, composers, and performers.

The update also includes the standard generic bug fix notice. iTunes 12.3.2 is available now from the Updates tab of the Mac App Store.

Banksy uses Steve Jobs as an example of Syrian immigration at a refugee camp in France

Ben Lovejoy Dec 11 2015 - 6:57 am PT

11 Comments

With the Mediterranean refugee crisis as much a hot-button issue in Europe as it is in the U.S., famous graffiti artist Banksy has used Steve Jobs as a subtle reminder of the benefits immigrants can offer to a country. Steve Jobs was the son of a Syrian migrant.

The artwork appears at a refugee camp in Calais, where many Syrian refugees are among those hoping to enter Banksy’s home country, the UK. The image depicts him carrying a bag with one hand and a Macintosh (sadly with very inaccurate proportions) in the other.

Earlier in the crisis, more than 15,000 people retweeted a photo posted by tech entrepreneur David Galbraith with the caption ‘A Syrian migrants’ child.’

[tweet https://twitter.com/daveg/status/639167370091720704 align=’center’]

Back in September, Apple supported humanitarian aid efforts by making its own ‘substantial’ donation to relief agencies, inviting iTunes users to donate to the Red Cross, and by offering to match employee donations. Earlier this week, Tim Cook mentioned the refugee crisis in a speech to the RFK Center.

[tweet https://twitter.com/krishgm/status/675318860313178112 align=’center’]

Yahoo’s new Video Guide app offers universal search across streaming services

Jordan Kahn Dec 10 2015 - 9:31 am PT

0 Comments

Yahoo today released a new “Yahoo Video Guide” app for mobile devices that acts as one central location for users to find content from across a long list of competitive video services and networks.

The app allows users to search from one place and then offers links to buy or start streaming the content in other apps like iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, HBO GO, and many others. So you’ll still need to be a subscriber, have the app downloaded, and or purchase the content once the Yahoo Video Guide app redirects you.

And while you can just search for something you’re looking for, the app also has a Mood Picker feature that lets users pick a from GIFs to search through curated lists.

Yahoo of course has its own Yahoo Screen app for mobile devices, but it also links to content on iTunes, Amazon Video, Hulu, Netflix, HBO GO, ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC, Xfinity, YouTube, A&E, BET, Cartoon Network, Cinemax, Comedy Central, Disney, Food Network, and others. In total it says it’s promoting over 30 video services through the new Video Guide app.

The Yahoo Video Guide iPhone app is available to download for free on the U.S. App Store now.

Apple names its iPhone Apps of the Year, shares bestsellers across all categories & more

Ben Lovejoy Dec 9 2015 - 6:30 am PT

1 Comment

Apple has named live video sharing app Periscope its App of the Year 2015, and Tomb Raider’s puzzle spin-off Lara Croft GO as its Game of the Year. iPhone automation app Workflow won Most Innovative app, while Instagram took home the prize for Best App on the iPhone 6s.

In all, Apple picked 25 iPhone apps each for both general and games categories. It also shared the top 10 best-selling paid apps, most-downloaded free apps and top-grossing apps …

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The Beatles ‘1+’ collection w/ 50 restored videos now available exclusively on iTunes

Jordan Kahn Dec 7 2015 - 8:21 am PT

4 Comments

Today Apple’s iTunes Store is getting some exclusive content from The Beatles with the “1+” collection consisting of 50 restored videos.

The videos are a mix of promotional and music videos that the group released over the years together with some new audio and video commentary from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. You’ll also find a 124-page illustrated book with information accompanying the videos.

The press release notes that the videos have been completely remastered with new stereo and 5.1 Dolby Digital surround audio mixes, while the video itself was taken from 35mm negatives scanned in 4K and digitally restored.
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