Public Address | Cafe | Hard News: Remember where you heard it first ...

Simon Grigg

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 13:04:30 +1300

merc

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 13:49:38 +1300

Mac fan boys (I've had one since '90 but it is a troubled relationship) always remind me of Comic Store Guy in The Simpsons.
Really defensive geeks are the lonely lovers of The Penguin...

Adrian Wills

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 12:19:05 +1300

I think one of the first independent, hands on reviews I've read. Rather good.

http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/215441,CST-FIN-Andy18.article

Simon Grigg

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 02:21:31 +1300

I liked this CNET post

There's a Mac subculture akin to Star Trek aficionados or Burning Man attendees. Its devotees can be testy, defensive and intensely devoted to their Apple products. And Jobs, they say, is their hero, despite a reputation for ruling his company with an iron fist and…

Tomorrowpeople

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:20:04 +1300

Both Vodafone and Telecom have music stores.

So, one of them will have to pick it up regardless.
Imagine the amount of people who will want one.

Gary Hutchings

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:17:16 +1300

Now we have to wait til 2008 to get one in NZ.
Mind you they'll have most of the bugs out by then.... :/

Although currently iPhone is only to be available as a locked handset on the cingular network in the US, until Apple start selling them unlocked a…

Simon Grigg

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:54:20 +1300

In the meantime, I can stick with my new (next week) W950I which does most of what this does right now but doesn't look quite as pretty.

matthewbuchanan

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:45:25 +1300

plus they'll have full 3G implementation by then.

And capacities larger than 8GB...

Compie

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:44:11 +1300

and the price for version 2 will be a lot easier on the wallet.

plus they'll have full 3G implementation by then.

very cool though, and I was a skeptic!

matthewbuchanan

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 13:56:30 +1300

Mind you they'll have most of the bugs out by then.... :/

Well said.

Tomorrowpeople

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 13:46:59 +1300

The phone looks pretty cool.

I like the mini OSX, Google maps, iPod etc etc.

Killer.

Now we have to wait til 2008 to get one in NZ.
Mind you they'll have most of the bugs out by then.... :/

matthewbuchanan

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 12:26:08 +1300

More talk on the iPhone and Apple TV in this thread on Vista DRM.

Lyndon Hood

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:57:51 +1300

http://www.apple.com/iphone/

4.5 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches / 115 x 61 x 11.6mm, most of which is a touchscreen. Runs on the cingular network. Doesn't say if it will try to assimilate you, but seems to do most everything else.

Lyndon Hood

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:49:11 +1300

The iPhone is announced.

The iPhone, which starts at $499 [US, I guess], is controlled by touch, plays music, surfs the Internet and runs the Macintosh computer operating system. Jobs said it will "reinvent" the telecommunications sector and "leapfrog" past the current generation of hard-to-use smart phones.

Also, Apple Computers will…

Compie

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 21:22:29 +1300

http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/01/is_apple_the_ne.html

Happy new year all, but not it seems for Apple.

What's with America and lawsuits, I just don't get it? Surely a brand has the right to protect its place. I might be way off the mark here, but if this works against Apple, microsoft and zune, vodafone and…

Simon Grigg

Sat, 23 Dec 2006 17:10:24 +1300

See, thats what happens when The Herald tries to get hip...you can put a fancy new front end on there but underneath its still the Granny we've known for years.

Russell Brown

Sat, 23 Dec 2006 10:12:45 +1300

"For the music lover
If you've got iTunes on your computer, then it's easy to make a compilation of music you think they will enjoy and burn it on to a CD. Then, using old magazine pictures or photographs, make a CD cover with a personal message. On the inside…

yossarian

Sat, 23 Dec 2006 08:16:54 +1300

Oh dear!

From the Herald today in a section on last minute gift ideas:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/6/story.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10416637

"For the music lover

If you've got iTunes on your computer, then it's easy to make a compilation of music you think they will enjoy and burn it on to a CD. Then, using old…

Jeremy Andrew

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:12:19 +1300

Better be a smartphone for that kind of dosh!! For less than a grand in kiwi money I can find myself an Imate Jamin, which does GSM phone, camera, and everything a pocket PC will do. Including replacing any Black(crack)berry you might be toting.

Compie

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 16:19:25 +1300

USD $$$ holly heck!

Compie

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 16:18:59 +1300

Macrumours again.

looks like the iPhone is going to be really expensive but announced a lot earlier than expected.

iPhone Announcement on Monday?
Today, 03:49 PM
Gizmodo claims that the iPhone will be announced on Monday.
Gizmodo Knows: iPhone Will Be Announced On Monday
I guarantee it. It isn't what…

stephen walker

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 17:08:04 +1300

Peter Jenner, one of the wisest men in the music industry for decades, is absolutely right in this.

For those who haven't seen it, TheReg has an extended interview with the old man...
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/03/peter_jenner/

Russell Brown

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 16:25:40 +1300

no...its all yours Russell...it will cost you a link to my blog on your site :)

I'm shamed!

The Opinionated Diner is now well up my blogroll and I'll link to you tomorrow.

Simon Grigg

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:19:09 +1300

no...its all yours Russell...it will cost you a link to my blog on your site :)

Russell Brown

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:14:30 +1300

Its ironic that the digital revolution has in some ways turned the clock back 70 or 80 years to the era when the performance royalty ruled.

Do I have to pay you a royalty if I use that in a column?

;-)

Simon Grigg

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:08:21 +1300

One of the problems that's come up with the blanket performance fee across all media types is that it would mean the porn industry getting most of the money

Ha, ha, I guess so. But that said, it is, in some form the only way forward. The collection and distribution…

Russell Brown

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:51:05 +1300

This post: iTunes sales collapsing...has caused massive industry talk over the past couple of days. Some sites suggest that because it excludes dec 06 sales (ie. Xmas when people get their iPods and tend to buy a tune or two) it is skewered.

Forrester, the company that actually did the…

Simon Grigg

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:13:13 +1300

This post: iTunes sales collapsing...has caused massive industry talk over the past couple of days. Some sites suggest that because it excludes dec 06 sales (ie. Xmas when people get their iPods and tend to buy a tune or two) it is skewered. But there is little doubt that legit…

jon_knox

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 11:33:40 +1300

Hooked into a bit of itunes last night for the first time. The amount of stuff that is not available was surprisingly large....not even obscure stuff. I did manage to get Nick Cave's soundtrack to "the Proposition" for $10 tho.
Got a big glitch in the middle of one of…

Tomorrowpeople

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 10:36:35 +1300

ummmmm – lol

I saw that and thought WTF?

peter mclennan

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 08:43:29 +1300

Seen the latest addition to the cheesy Local Sounds page? – a new album from Dimmer, called It All Looks The Same At Night, on Rogue Recordings. Oh, hang on, that's a compilation of Dimmer's previous albums, released only in Australia. Umm...

Compie

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 10:57:40 +1300

Wow they really have vamped up itunes store, althought they don't have any Carter USM or Neds Atomic Dustbin, what's with that?

Don't laugh, first purchase Big Audio Dynamite.

Robyn Gallagher

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:56:26 +1300

I keep trying to buy the Amy Winehouse album "Back in Black", but iTunes says no, no, no.

Or more specifically, it gives me this strange error message:

Purchase of this item is not currently available
This item is being modified. Please try again later.

When will this mysterious modification…

Simon Grigg

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:31:27 +1300

The browse function is now working and i'm finding a interesting things, but so many, even music that I know is licensed for NZ, is "unavailable" for NZ

Faze Action is there which is very cool

Tomorrowpeople

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:07:04 +1300

The top 10 albums says one thing in list view and something else on teh main page.

WTF?

How can the 12 Man album be number 1 and number 12 at the same time?

PS: about the Wiggles – they look like a bunch of looney child-molestors that any parent…

Grant Stone

Sat, 09 Dec 2006 12:15:46 +1300

So getting back to the real issue – what are we supposed to do with the iTunes store? It's clear that it's not finished yet. Forget the wiggles, you can't get Dave Dobbyn. On behalf of us all, I screwed up my courage and searched for, dear god, Phil Collins.…

Compie

Sat, 09 Dec 2006 00:47:04 +1300

Somewhat disturbed at the dive this thread has taken and being a father of two, I have to add my 5 cents worth (that will be a sign of one's age soon).

The Wiggles, you have to be joking. It is one show that if my son catches on telly…

samuel walker

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 21:55:07 +1300

ha hah suckers,

while i was reading your discussion on the finer points of childrens music my two and five year old were dancing around the living room dancing (stylewise i would call it jacking......i am sure some cultural references get passed on via dna.....) to the trippiest minimal dubby…

Grant Stone

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 20:20:54 +1300

Since I seem to have dragged the conversation down to children's music, I can confirm that the wiggles are not available on the NZ iTunes store at the moment. And the only Dan Zanes track is from the Natural Born Killers soundtrack. Eep.

Just about sold the family treasurer on…

Jeremy Matthews

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:49:28 +1300

I'm going to have to second The Wiggles in regards to children's music. Will be interesting to see how they handle the disappearance of Greg.

An album that is quite good is The Underwater Melon Man there's a track listing here, quite a few big name acts on this.

Grant Stone

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:57:08 +1300

Once you have kids you realise that most children's music is unmitigated crap. The Wiggles totally kick Hi-5's collective arses. They're pretty good. Dan Zanes, though, he's something else. Music for children, mainly 1930's folk music. Usually has guest artists: Nick Cave, Natalie Merchant, the Blind Boys of Alabama. If…

Tomorrowpeople

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:49:39 +1300

Wiggles?

Grant Stone

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:49:23 +1300

I've just been looking at eMusic myself. All the music I'd planned on buying on the iTunes store is there: Chris Whitley, Tom Waits, Richard Thompson. Plus Dan Zanes and The Wiggles for the kids!

It's suddenly dawning on me that I might have spent months waiting for an online…

Russell Brown

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 14:32:25 +1300

Thanks for the heads up. My next port of call will definitely be eMusic.

Ooh. Could you email me via the Reply button on the blog? If I recommend you to emusic, they give me some free downloads – and you, too.

Robyn Gallagher

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 14:31:29 +1300

No De La Soul, no Salt n Pepa, no Helluva by Brotherhood Creed, no Young MC.

I feel your pain, Dr H. I could do with some Young MC right.

And in this vein, I checked out some others. iTunes only has the Jungle Brothers' "Done by the Forces of…

Dr Huxtable

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 14:04:27 +1300

Thanks for the heads up. My next port of call will definitely be eMusic.

The lack of hip hop and soul is certainly disappointing, and perhaps points towards a misjudgement of our muscial tastes, and the preference for greatest hits collections over actual albums is galling. Having said that, I…

Simon Grigg

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 12:44:54 +1300

No De La Soul, no Salt n Pepa, no Helluva by Brotherhood Creed, no Young MC. I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to relive the awkwardness and humiliation of school dances without them. Although props for having Freak Me and No Diggity on there – should tide me over…

John Holley

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 12:29:47 +1300

I've also discovered that music you may want to buy that is highlighted in the NZ iTunes section of the Apple iTunes web pages is often unavailable in New Zealand.

iTunes suggests, in the case of "The Saints are Coming" (Green Day and U2) of changing to the…

Tomorrowpeople

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 11:00:05 +1300

hhmmmmm.

oops.

Jeremy Matthews

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 10:51:14 +1300

I found this discussion up on the Apple support site. Apparently it's known that the NZ store is broken and that it's not an easy fix. :-(

Josh Addison

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 09:41:25 +1300

I have nothing constructive to add, other than that I was actually listening to "Helluva" as I read Dr. Huxtable's quote. Respect.

Tomorrowpeople

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 09:35:06 +1300

I agree – after surfing the US site for quite a while (previewing tracks, searching etc) the NZ ITMS seems 'broke'.

What gives.

Grant Stone

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 09:02:40 +1300

I've been window shopping on the US and UK stores for months, so I know the music I want is available, but not from here. It does seem a bit odd – if I want to buy a track from a US artist it's not going to be coming from…

Dr Huxtable

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 08:40:20 +1300

Still a bit underwhelmed. It's nice to have legal downloads on tap, but the selection is poor and I've already had one incorrect song sent through after it was mislabelled in the store.

My main complaint at this point – where the hell is all the cheesy early to mid…

Jeremy Matthews

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 19:46:01 +1300

It's as if someone forgot to flick the switch to enable the other two million songs that the media constantly mentions. Having a look at the Australian store shows a lot more music and the actual ability to browse. To wait or to start using the request page...

Russell Brown

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 15:52:15 +1300

thats my problem, there are no obscurities. I've never really looked at iTunes before and really expected more. Maybe my required obscurities are more obscure than most...

Even after day to settle down, the iTunes Store seems a hell of a mess to me. Try clicking the "Quick Link" marked…

Simon Grigg

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 13:35:57 +1300

I don't see the point in buying it through iTunes when I can easily walk down to the shops and buy it for a couple of dollars more. I can see huge potential in buying either out of print music, or obscure stuff that would cost $40+ to get imported.

…

Tomorrowpeople

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 13:26:54 +1300

192kbps AAC sounds pretty good.
Noticeably better than 128 but a lot less room than 256 and hard to tell the difference.
Depends if space is an issue.

matthewbuchanan

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 13:18:11 +1300

I was a bit nonplussed to discover the bit rate of the tracks available at iTunes is 128kbps AAC? What the...? Isn't that just a bit low?

When AAC was introduced by Apple, they claimed that a 128kbps AAC recording was equivalent in quality level to an MP3 of twice…

Ben Gracewood

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:56:32 +1300

Although one glaring red alert was that the format shifting will expire after 2 years, unless renewed. [Clause 44, new 81 (3)]

Man that is so pathetic. I had no idea the music biz was so influential in New Zealand. They obviously have Judith in their pocket.

Damian Stewart

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:43:24 +1300

Jeremy wrote:

Being able to browse into the Flying Nun category and order chronologically would be excellent.

Only if you're not interested in the hiss/noise component, which is quite an important aspect of the older stuff recorded with a more lo-fi aesthetic. Noise and digital compression don't play nice with…

Ben Gracewood

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:35:33 +1300

If anyone thinks introducing anti-circumvention measures is a good idea, no matter how carefully worded they are, take a read of this document.

"This document collects a number of reported cases where the anti-circumvention provisions of the DMCA have been invoked not against pirates, but against consumers, scientists, and legitimate…

Tomorrowpeople

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:26:54 +1300

Thanks Ben.

Um – DVD Regions?

What are they?

;)

Ben Gracewood

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:16:09 +1300

Oh no wait, I'm confused: I'm allowed to circumvent DRM, but I'm not allowed to sell stuff to circumvent DRM?

mummy?

Gary Hutchings

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:15:44 +1300

Seems they want to let you watch out of zone DVD's

The focus of section 226 will continue to be on the link between circumvention and copyright infringement, and on the making, sale, and hire of devices or information rather than on actual circumvention. While actual circumvention may not be…

Ben Gracewood

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:09:39 +1300

Tomorrowpeople, you're golden. That's the key thing that the new amendment caters for: format shifting.

Just don't try to format-shift your DVDs, because that's circumventing copy-protection mmkay?

MercatorNZ

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 11:56:53 +1300

First: Whee! At last. I've been waiting with not exactly baited breath, but looking forward to an NZ iTunes store nevertheless. So I got in last night and had a rummage around. Bit disappointed that you can't really 'browse' the store and that there's sod all NZ content there but…

Tomorrowpeople

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 11:44:51 +1300

What?

Did I say I was copying my CD collection to a HD?

It wasn't me – honest.

<:/

Ben Gracewood

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 11:33:32 +1300

Yup, looks like it's time to get emailing people! Here's my take on the whole affair, plus a copy of my email to Judith Tizard.

Scary times.

Russell Brown

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 11:24:06 +1300

Okay – probably time to get alarmed ...

New Copyright Bill published ...

It contains what at first glance looks like a major change in direction on Technical Protection Measures:

“amend the provision relating to technological protection measures--- so that the prohibition against the making, importing, hiring, and selling of…

Tomorrowpeople

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 11:04:10 +1300

Cheers. I'd like the extra room for future music – ie. ITMS, original compositions as aiffs etc.

Off to TradeMe then...

Gary Hutchings

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 10:47:36 +1300

Anyway, if I used a 350GB drive for this and AAC 192 as the compression format, do you think I could fit 1300 odd full CDs onto to one drive with room to spare

Should fit, 192 VBR AAC seems to be about 7MB/5min,

if you assume and average of…

Tomorrowpeople

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 10:11:14 +1300

speaking of backups, HDs etc.

I was thinking of ripping my entire CD collection to iTunes (via an alias folder) onto a external FW drive.

This way I could have all my music that I have on CD accessible to iTunes and portable (usable at home or work).

I would…

Jeremy Matthews

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 09:36:20 +1300

I think the real beauty of buying music through iTunes (or any other online store) will be once record labels have their entire catalogues available. Being able to browse into the Flying Nun category and order chronologically would be excellent.

I don't see the point in buying it through iTunes…

Jeremy Baker

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 08:11:22 +1300

The more important change is the establishment of the Apple online store – and the consequent price reductions not only online but by all the other resellers in NZ for Apple products and Macs.

I've bought a few things of iTunes that I couldn't find at my local music store…

Simon Grigg

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 03:44:55 +1300

OMG – isn't it awful?

actually the whole store is deadly dull...I can find absolutely nothing I'm even vaguely tempted to buy. Back to Emuisc and Beatport

Robyn Gallagher

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:31:19 +1300

I gotta say the 'local sounds' splash screen is naff.

OMG – isn't it awful?

For anyone who hasn't seen it, click here and prepare to be shocked.

It looks like it was conceived by someone whose only experience of New Zealand was via a tourism ad and/or a South…

samuel walker

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:00:44 +1300

"processing album artwork"

sweet sweet thing.

they arnt gonna get much of my hard earned cash for drm corrupted music. but if they wanna add a massive dimension to my mp3 library by adding image files to all (or at least most, even lightnin' rod) of my music for FREE.......well,…

matthewbuchanan

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 22:15:26 +1300

Unless you own the largest iPods your library could easily outstrip it. Also, iPods are waaay too fragile as a data backup.

True on the sizing issue, and yes, it's a last ditch effort as a backup tool, but better than no backup was my point.

Either I signed on…

B Jones

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 22:06:43 +1300

Either I signed on to something apple-related in my old flat

Suddenly flashes back to trying to download Quicktime to watch a Lord of the Rings trailer, all on a dialup connection....

Mystery solved, conspiracy over.

B Jones

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 21:55:44 +1300

Um. Not entirely thrilled with all the sign-in inconvenience. It decided my email addy was already being used (I figured when I registered my ipod a few months ago), then when I went through all the "forgot your password" rigmarole, it signed me in and told me my address was…

Sam M

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 21:44:11 +1300

The exact same configuration as that that I ordered about two months ago (and which took six weeks to arrive) is $700 cheaper on the Apple site and ships in 2-4 days.

Someone please tell me whether I should be laughing or crying!

Compie

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 21:30:47 +1300

is it me or is the apple.co.nz site down at the mo?

Peter Darlington

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 21:25:55 +1300

Anyone with an iPod, however, has a little bit more security. If you lose either your computer or your iPod, then provided you have your entire library on both devices

True but not really an ideal solution. Unless you own the largest iPods your library could easily outstrip it. Also,…

matthewbuchanan

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:58:56 +1300

Of course I have. I'm sure I've heard that you can redownload songs you've purchased as well. Not entirely sure if that is accurate though.

Apple has been known to allow this in exceptional circumstances (or when the person concerned is, ahem, famous) however I don't believe it's part of…

Jeremy Matthews

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:43:58 +1300

So everyone is well sorted with mirrored disk, RAID configs or at the very least a USB backup drive right?

Of course I have. I'm sure I've heard that you can redownload songs you've purchased as well. Not entirely sure if that is accurate though.

Peter Darlington

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:16:17 +1300

So everyone is well sorted with mirrored disk, RAID configs or at the very least a USB backup drive right?

With 20 Gbytes of legal music costing you $9k + labour you wouldn't want to be relying on one single nasty little Taiwanese platter to keep it alive for the…

Greg Wood

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:12:20 +1300

Rock. On. iTMS. !.

Took seconds to sign in, and send Breaks Co-op as a gift to my superGirl, here in Singapore using our NZ Westpac card. At bloody last. And frankly awesome pricing!

Now, hurry up the full catalogue of everything – and fix the search function. Yay.

Peter Darlington

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:09:03 +1300

> More importantly – why did Russell want/need Moby for?!

Well, he's just killing time until the next U2 concert, give the guy a break.

tim kong

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 19:58:02 +1300

Wait.

More importantly – why did Russell want/need Moby for?!

;-)

Nice to see itunes up and running – didn't take too long to setup my account – and looking forward to perusing catalog.

Very pleased that a proper online Apple store has opened as well.

JP Hansen

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:31:40 +1300

Instead of recoring an audio file as it plays (and hoping nothing else beeps), there's always burning to regular audio CD and then ripping that.

matthewbuchanan

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:09:18 +1300

I ripped my AACs in iTunes so....

Yep, that means they're not protected files and will play anywhere that supports AAC playback.

Tomorrowpeople

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 14:56:53 +1300

I ripped my AACs in iTunes so....

Kyle Matthews

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 14:28:41 +1300

Isn't that what Last post by ... does?

Woah, that's a link? Crazy...

Cheers for the responses re getting it to MP3. I'll try them out.

Damian Christie

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 14:15:52 +1300

When I need to 'lose' the DRM on a file, or record something that only streams (research purposes people, research purposes), I use a nice free app called Goldwave (available at goldwave.com ).

Sure, you have to make sure your computer doesn't beep or anything while the tune is playing…

matthewbuchanan

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 14:04:35 +1300

I beleive I transferred AAC files to my Motorola phone and they play fine.

For clarification, there are two types of AAC files, protected (.m4p) and non-protected (.m4a). The latter will play on any device that supports the AAC format, the former will only play on Apple hardware (computers, iPods)…

matthewbuchanan

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:57:06 +1300

Isn't that what Last post by ... does?

Yes it is, perhaps it's not obvious enough, but it's there.

Hard News PodCast – from iTunes?

Well, you could subscribe to 95bFM's Breakfast podcast, they include Russell's weekly Hard Word discussion with Mikey.

Tomorrowpeople

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:49:38 +1300

Hard News PodCast – from iTunes?

Scott Fannen

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:46:17 +1300

It has to be pointed out that – in typical Apple fashion – TV shows and movies aren't even available in a large market like the UK (and despite the backward nature of some of the things in the UK, the Brits have really taken to the iPod). I wouldn't…

Scott Fannen

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:39:24 +1300

Glad to see NZ has finally got on the Apple map – I live over in London now.

The iTunes store does look a bit sparse but I'm sure it'll warm up. Having a more direct link to NZ music would be good. The first time I heard Fat Freddy's…

Mat Wiseman

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:13:38 +1300

I'd also have to request a link on the front page which takes you to the last page of these discussions. Save me one click!

Isn't that what Last post by ... does?

John Holley

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:09:32 +1300

Two things. One, for Mac users, have a look DRM Dumpster which, according to their blurb is :

__the legal way to convert DRM tracks your iTunes music library to standard files. DRM Dumpster uses a CD-RW and iTunes itself to convert all of your DRM music files…

Tomorrowpeople

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:59:41 +1300

I beleive I transferred AAC files to my Motorola phone and they play fine.

Compie

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:56:00 +1300

Kyle

a really bad hack that I know of is get a copy of Audio Hijack and rip the audio while it's playing on iTunes.

clunky but works

I can't live without AudioHijack. there's a copy of it on mac support if you are still on campus.

JP Hansen

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:52:36 +1300

Meant to add – I have no idea if that's possible with the DRM protected files from ITMS.

And thanks Matt – looking forward to the edit feature!

JP Hansen

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:50:08 +1300

I know with regular AAC / m4u files that I rip from CD, if I then change my importing preferences to MP3, I can select a track/playlist, and choose 'convert selection to MP3' (it's always 'convert selection to [your import preference])

It's a bit of a pain, but then go…

Kyle Matthews

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:40:43 +1300

I'd also have to request a link on the front page which takes you to the last page of these discussions. Save me one click!

Does anyone know what the story is with itunes bought stuff being transferred to an mp3 player that isn't an ipod? Itunes help doesn't seem…

Compie

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:33:09 +1300

Matt / Russell

gotta say, love the site, web designer mysself this is going great, bring on an edit function.

As for iTunes, boy do you have to mine for content. But the pricing is fantastic.

matthewbuchanan

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:23:13 +1300

An editing function is top of the list of enhancements, should happen within the next couple of weeks. I've fixed your typo...

JP Hansen

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:11:32 +1300

Dang. Russell, can we get an edit function for these discussions please !

JP Hansen

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:10:03 +1300

They don't have any Bic Runga on the i-tunes store? I've got heaps on my computer, maybe i could sell them some of my tunes at $1.79 a pop...

Well, I noticed I can get to the (new) Brooke Fraser tracks via the promo box at the top of the…

Jeremy Matthews

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 11:41:58 +1300

I just bought some iTunes exclusive The Flaming Lips EP, it had [CLEAN] beside all the track names but I couldn't find find another copy that was [EXPLICIT]. It's not censored either :D

I'm really happy with the speed that the tracks download, go to love akamai. I have had…

Tomorrowpeople

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 11:18:13 +1300

Hold tight though, you should see a bunch of local content going up....

Tomorrowpeople

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 11:17:38 +1300

from what I posted in teh other thread:

I gotta say the 'local sounds' splash screen is naff.
It looks like a recruitment ad for the Young Nats circa 1990.
So where is all the local content – 12 albums?
Step up to the plate local record companies.
How ironic…

mikeforbes

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 11:14:55 +1300

Interestingly, US sales tax is determined by what state you live in, so it's quite hard to properly compare prices.

You get an estimate of $71.45 when you checkout, which is still pretty awesome.

Using that example brings our US total back to $1996.59 NZD (inc sales tax and shipping)…

Gary Hutchings

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 11:09:24 +1300

Apple resellers have said they intend to reduce prices to meet the new price points of the apple store,

All NZ Reseller pricing is changing today as well, to be in line with the NZ Apple store.
xxxxx
an apple reseller

mikeforbes

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 11:02:50 +1300

Oops.

yes, sales tax.

That thing ;)

Michael Keating

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 10:59:58 +1300

Seems the iTunes landing/opening page is the same for NZ and Australia. Therefore if a product is to make in on to the most valuable iTunes real estate it must be released on the same label with same artwork etc in both Aust and NZ. As if it were one…

Matt Perot

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 10:59:55 +1300

13" 2ghz macbook in NZ – $2499 NZD
13" 2ghz macbook in US – $1893 NZD
Hmm, wonder how i'll be buying my next apple product..

You forgot to factor in sales tax.

13" 2ghz Macbook in NZ — $2499.00 NZD (including GST of $277.66)
13" 2ghz Macbook in NZ…

Damian Christie

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 10:53:26 +1300

Yeah the first link I clicked on in the apple store didn't work... not a great look for a launch, especially for something on the front page...

http://www.apple.com/nz/ipodhifi/

They don't have any Bic Runga on the i-tunes store? I've got heaps on my computer, maybe i could sell them some…

pftqg

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 10:45:42 +1300

mikeforbes:

You seem to be forgetting GST, which makes it ~$2200. Also keep in mind that if you buy it in the US you'll be paying sales tax, and that likely if you have mailed to you in NZD you'll pay GST as well.

Having recently done this (being the…

hudsie

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 10:44:23 +1300

And the reason is thus... the prices on the Apple on-line store are way cheaper than we have been obliged to pay up until now. I have just bought an i-mac on the new site, for $200 cheaper than at Magnum Mac. And it should arrive tomorrow, with free delivery.…

JP Hansen

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 10:14:44 +1300

Hmm. No Dave Dobbyn, Crowded House, Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Hello Sailor, Dragon, Bic Runga, Brooke Fraser yet.

iTunes got some uploadin' to do!

matthewbuchanan

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 10:13:46 +1300

Curious. As a previous user of Renaissance's online store, I have just been sent an email, which includes the following:

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support, and advise you that as of today the Renaissance Apple online store is no longer available.
For…

mikeforbes

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 10:10:16 +1300

Its a pity that itunes.co.nz isn't working.

also, I wonder when we're going to see some decent price comparisons with apple products.

13" 2ghz macbook in NZ – $2499 NZD

13" 2ghz macbook in US – $1893 NZD

Hmm, wonder how i'll be buying my next apple product..

JP Hansen

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 10:03:35 +1300

Ack. My credit card's over its limit – will have to wait until I get paid tomorrow to buy my first track (Erotic City is avaialble, thankfully).

Having a browse and notice that Split Enz' "Corroboree" is available. Pity they didn't restore the proper Waiata title. ;-) Also I see…

Nigel Caughey

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:55:19 +1300

Very nice, though no itunes gift cards yet :(.

Really nice how the reviews & ratings carry over from the other stores, kind of makes you feel part of the Apple world really :).

ed hayes

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:52:45 +1300

Looks like they are adding to it/updating it on the fly. Placeholders have gone and there is more content being added...

Paul Capewell

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:34:14 +1300

JP: pretty sure TV shows are a fair way off. Old NZ music videos would indeed be lovely though. The Flying Nun DVDs almost aren't enough!

JP Hansen

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:31:29 +1300

On my PC I had to sign in and change my country at that point from Australia (from a previous Quicktime Pro purchase) to New Zealand to enable the NZ store.

Yeah, kinda empty on the front page. $3.60 for a music video. Not bad, I really hope that a…

Matt Perot

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:30:59 +1300

This is awesome news. The pricing available at the Apple New Zealand Store is also nothing to shake a stick at — Macbooks, Macbook Pros, and iPods are around 10% cheaper than at Bond & Bond or Renaissance, and finally there is an education discount of a further 5% or so…

Paul Capewell

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:16:13 +1300

How annoying... Ah well, good stuff. Have a browse.

Russell Brown

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:14:50 +1300

I had to stick my iTunes prefs file in the Trash and then put it back after launch (after cancelling the setup dialogue). Seeing it now ...

Some of the promo banners are clearly from Australia: 'Homebake 06' doesn't mean quite the same in Australia as it does here ...…

Paul Capewell

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 08:53:03 +1300

Restart the iTunes app to find New Zealand in the country options at the bottom of the main iTunes Store page.

Its all a bit empty at the mo, with a lot of placeholders. Also, a fair few references to the US iTunes store, making me think that its not…

Public Address

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 08:53:03 +1300

Discussion from blog post.