World of Apple

The Open University, University College of London and Trinity College Dublin have all joined iTunes U, the three universities are the first to join the scheme outside of the US, Australia and New Zealand.

iTunes U offers access to educational content from some of the world’s leading universities and colleges, and today the Open University, UCL and Trinity College join those institutions, making materials available for discovery by anyone with iTunes and an internet connection.

Professor Denise Kirkpatrick, Pro Vice Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) at The Open University, said: “Making selected video and audio items from among the University’s highly-rated course materials via iTunes U to audiences worldwide offers a new channel for the University. We can open up free access to educational resources as well as a window for our potential students.”

Science, the arts, technology and computing, humanities and the environment are all among the subject areas featured. The range of courses and content has a global reach and feel as befits an international launch - Venice, Paris and Istanbul for Art History; Sierra Leone for an in-depth exploration of the issues of a country recovering from bloody civil war; the complex problem of the US-Mexican border which is a major case study for a course on globalisation; to Lake Baikal in Central Asia to understand the environmental impact of industrialisation in post Soviet Russia; the far East for world religions.  

At the other end of the scale cows that choose when to get themselves milked by robots; a researcher pushing the boundaries of human computer interactions using implants; the world of mathematical modelling and the way societies over the centuries have understood and used maths; an ecology field trip in the English uplands, and the sumptuous funerary setting of medieval England’s richest man, Richard Beauchamp.
Today marks just the beginning of an ambitious programme of development by the OU. More video and audio material will be made available to reach a target of 500 items drawn from 50 OU courses by the end of July. The University also plans to extend the range of items beyond course materials to include some of its research activities. The site can be found at http://www.open.ac.uk/itunes

Welcoming the launch of Trinity College Dublin on iTunes U, the Provost of TCD, Dr John Hegarty said: “Through pioneering the use of this new technology, Trinity College is reaching out to a variety of audiences – potential and current students, staff, alumni and the general public, in fact anyone with a love of learning which demonstrates our social and educational outreach mission”.

“Trinity College Dublin, founded in 1592, is the oldest university featured on iTunes U in the iTunes Store today. This project is an example of combing tradition and innovation”, the Provost added.

John Murphy, Acting Director of TCD Information Systems Services stated: “Podcasting is the next growth area in higher level education. We are always embracing new technologies, and at the same time using them effectively for teaching, learning and research. The iTunes U interface provides control, flexibly, accessibility and management of the College’s online content in a manner not previously available”.

UCL academics and students are already using new technologies, including podcasting, to share information from their research and studies. UCL on iTunes U enhances the university’s provision of information and extends its reach to new audiences around the world. It will also enhance learning and teaching, developing innovation through new technology and meeting the needs of today’s techno-literate students.

UCL President and Provost Professor Malcolm Grant said: “UCL is one of the world’s leading universities, with an ethos not only of excellence, but also of innovation and accessibility. It is entirely in keeping with this ethos that we engage with new technologies to further our teaching, learning and engagement with the public. We are pleased to be leading the way in Europe.”

Professor Peter Mobbs, who leads the academic aspect of UCL on iTunes U, said: “Our students will be able to revisit materials presented to them in lectures, so they can learn anywhere and anytime. Furthermore, our students are among the world’s best and brightest, and I want them to be involved in generating and sharing their own content – discovery, analysis, imaginings – through audio and visual media, in collaboration with staff and other students.”

Apple has announced that TV shows are now available to purchase through the French iTunes Store.

Hit television programming is available from France’s top networks including TF1, France Télévisions, Arte, Mediatoon’s Dargaud TV and Dupuis TV, along with hit US shows from The Walt Disney Company and MTV Networks.

iTunes customers can choose from a wide range of primetime favorites including “La main blanche,” “Les Contes de la Collection Chez Maupassant,” “Coeur Océan,” “Spirou et Fantasio,” “Lucky Luke” and “Le dessous des cartes,” as well as Emmy Award-winning programs “Lost,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Ugly Betty” and “South Park.”

“iTunes is the number one digital music store in France and we’re off to a great start with TV shows,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “We’re thrilled to launch with over 25 programs and 450 episodes available on the iTunes Store in France.”

Television shows are priced at €1.49, €1.99 and €2.49 per episode.

According to a report by the Times Online Apple is preparing to announce film download and rental services in the UK and Canada.

Apple is said to have reached deals with Disney, Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Lions Gate and MGM to offer films for sale and for rental on the iTunes Store.

Pricing is not currently available but industry sources have stated that they “would not want to undercut DVD prices”. That would suggest prices ranging anywhere from £6 to £25.

Apple has begun airing a new advert in America advertising Coldplay’s new album Viva La Vida which is available exclusively on the iTunes Store.

The advert is in similar style to many of the iPod + iTunes adverts featuring Coldplay as silhouettes with some detail retained but the background is filled with beautiful swirls of colour.

Coldplay’s album Viva La Vida isn’t available until June 17th but can be exclusively pre-ordered. The track “Viva La Vida” featured in the advert is available as a single download now.

View it on Apple’s website or download the high quality QuickTime movie.

A New York Times blog reports that Apple is currently in negotiations with music labels to offer more mobile music content via the iTunes Store.

One executive familiar with the negotiations claims that Apple’s hoping for “a big launch in June,”. According to the article Apple wishes to offer iTunes store downloads via the mobile network; currently iTunes Store downloads are only available on the iPhone when connected to WiFi.

With expectations high for Apple to release a 3G iPhone in the coming weeks it is expected that Apple wishes to take advantage of the new over-the-air speeds and offer music store purchases. However the report notes that music labels which to charge more for music sold over the cellular network.

Apple is also negotiating for answer tones to be sold on the iTunes Store.

“The company is also hoping to add answer tones, also known as ringback tones—songs that a caller hears instead of the ‘ring ring’ sound while waiting for someone to answer,” the report says. “In some cases, these command an even higher wholesale price than ringtones.”

Following yesterdays rumour that HBO programming would join iTunes Store, Apple has officially announced the partnership.

New HBO programs on iTunes include the Emmy Award-winning programs “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City,” “Deadwood” and “Rome,” as well as the critically acclaimed hits “Flight of the Conchords” and “The Wire.”

“We’re very excited to make these legendary HBO programs available on the iTunes Store,” said Henry McGee, president of HBO Video. “Whether catching up on ‘Sex and the City’ in anticipation of its upcoming movie release or reliving a favorite ‘Sopranos’ episode, we think viewers will love being able to watch these shows on their iPod or iPhone.”

“We’re thrilled to bring this incredible lineup of programming from HBO to the iTunes Store,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “These are some of the most talked about television shows ever, as well as some of the most requested by our customers.”

Television shows purchased and downloaded from the iTunes Store can be viewed on a Mac or PC, iPod nano with video, iPod classic, iPod touch, fifth generation iPod, iPhone or on a widescreen TV with Apple TV. “Sex and the City,” “The Wire” and “Flight of the Conchords” are $1.99 per episode, and “The Sopranos,” “Deadwood” and “Rome” are priced at $2.99 per episode. iTunes customers can also choose to purchase entire seasons of their favorite programs.

According to a report by Portfolio.com, HBO TV shows will soon be joining many others on the US iTunes Store.

Apple is close to announcing it has signed a deal to sell HBO programs and movies on the iTunes website, according to HBO employees involved in executing the agreement.

The deal marks the first time that Apple has agreed to a separate price structure for a content provider, one of the employees said.

The HBO insiders said that the new service would be launched and announced simultaneously, most likely in a week or two.

The key part of Portfolio.com’s statement is the price structure change, the site suggests that either HBO is receiving a larger cut of the $1.99 or shows will be more expensive.

Apple and NBC Universal have quietly rolled out a selection of TV shows onto the UK iTunes Store. The move appears to clarify past reports that Apple and NBC are attempting regain a relationship.

Only a handful of shows are currently available on the UK store; Heroes - Season Two, House, Eureka, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and The Incredible Hulk.

Of particular interest is the variable pricing which has appeared, current shows cost £1.89 each, where as episodes of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and The Incredible Hulk are available for just £1.19 each.

Multiple Carriers for Italian iPhone

Rumours that Telecom Italia would carry the iPhone have been officially confirmed by the Italian carrier today.

Telecom Italia announced today it has signed a deal with Apple to bring the iPhone to Italy later this year.

Vodafone also announced today that it will carry the iphone in Italy, a clear sign that Apple is abandoning its exclusive deals with carriers.

Video on French iTunes Store Soon?

French website ElectronLibre (Google Translated) is reporting that Apple will launch video for the French iTunes Store later this month.

Apple has signed contracts with seven major international and local studios, including Paramount and Disney, of course, but also EuropaCorp, the production house of Luc Besson.

The French iTunes Store will become the 4th store to receive video content, along with the UK, Canada and Germany.

Apple has today announced that new movie releases from major film studios and premier independent studios are available for purchase on the iTunes Store on the same day as their DVD release.

New releases and catalog titles will be available from 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lionsgate, Image Entertainment and First Look Studios. Movies purchased from iTunes can be viewed on an iPod with video, iPhone, Mac or PC or on a widescreen TV with Apple TV, with new releases priced at $14.99 and most catalog titles at $9.99.

“We’re thrilled to bring iTunes Store customers new films for purchase day-and-date with the DVD release,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “We think movie fans will love being able to buy their favorites from major and independent studios.”

New releases available for purchase on the iTunes Store this week, concurrent with their DVD release, include “American Gangster” and “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.” Other popular titles now available for purchase include “Juno,” “Cloverfield,” “I Am Legend,” “There Will Be Blood,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks” and “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.”