British Mac Show Notes

Episode BritishMac057

			NEWS

			Headlines

			NBC ends iTunes deal in price row Heroes is among the shows that will not be available on iTunes. Television programmes such as Heroes will not be available for download on iTunes in the US, after broadcaster NBC Universal ended its deal with Apple. Apple said that NBC had demanded more than double its previous wholesale price for its programmes. This meant that shows would cost users $4.99 an episode, rather than the current $1.99, Apple added. NBC is the biggest provider of video downloads to the Apple online store, accounting for about 40% of sales. This includes 30% of the television shows which Apple sells through iTunes. NBC's current deal with Apple was due to end in December, but Apple said it would not sell new series of programmes as this would mean it had to end them mid-series. Piracy talks "We are disappointed to see NBC leave iTunes because we would not agree to their dramatic price increase," said iTunes Vice-President Eddy Cue. "We hope they will change their minds and offer their TV shows to the tens of millions of iTunes customers." Observers say NBC's decision was the latest effort by a media firm to seek more control from Apple over the pricing of its output. Last month Universal Music Group was reported to be not renewing its annual contract to sell its music through iTunes - opting to have monthly deals instead. That would allow Universal to remove songs by some or all of its artists quickly if there are disagreements on terms and pricing in the future. NBC has been in separate talks with Apple to impose stronger piracy protection on its downloads. Among its aims are to stop pirated material from being uploaded to iPods. §

			NBC refutes Apple's price claims, pledges iTunes shows By Aidan Malley Published: 07:20 PM EST NBC Universal has rejected claims by Apple that it wanted to more than double the price of TV shows on iTunes -- and has also contradicted threats that new NBC shows would disappear from the iPod maker's online store. • In a statement to the press, NBC flatly dismissed Apple's contention that the TV studio's ultimate goal had been to charge $4.99 per show, more than twice as much as today's $1.99 rate. The actual goal has been to institute "flexibility in wholesale pricing" and bundle shows together in more "attractive" ways, said NBC's executive vice president of communications, Cory Shields. The studio also insisted that all of its existing shows would see new episodes available for sale through iTunes in spite of Apple's declaration mid-Friday that it wouldn't carry updated NBC programming for the fall season. The company did not say how it intended to force Apple to agree to the terms, but appeared to use its existing contract as leverage. "We want consumers to know that all our returning series, including new episodes, will be available on iTunes through the remainder of the contract, which expires in early December," said Shields. "Our content is also available on NBC.com, Amazon.com, and the soon-to-launch hulu.com." The statement reiterates NBC's cautious approach to renewing its contract with Apple, leaving a window open for the the two firms to resolve their dispute before the end of the contract. But in a counter to Apple's own allegations, NBC argued that its would-be partner was the unreasonable firm in the dispute, attempting to keep prices at its media store fixed in a way that favors sales of iPods and iPhones above the shows themselves. "It is clear that Apple’s retail pricing strategy for its iTunes service is designed to drive sales of Apple devices," Shields asserted," at the expense of those who create the content that make these devices worth buying." The confirmation of variable pricing as a sticking point for NBC reveals the seriousness of the issue for its parent company Vivendi. July saw NBC's sister company Universal Music Group drop its long-term contract for iTunes music, choosing instead to offer music "at will" so long as Apple maintained its flat 99-cent song pricing. Warner Music and other larger labels have also made similar arguments, but aren't known to have abandoned their own contracts.

			iTunes UK introduces TV show sales Apple last night quietly introduced a limited range of TV shows for UK purchase and download through iTunes Jonny Evans Apple has quietly introduced TV downloads through iTunes to the UK market. The available content is presently dominated by US shows, including Ugly Betty, Pimp My Ride, Desperate Housewives and South Park. Studios behind the content being now made available to the UK market include: ABC, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, MTV, Paramount Comedy and Playhouse Disney. The iTunes Store in the UK currently offers 28 TV programmes for download which can be viewed on a PC or Mac, fifth generation iPod, or on a widescreen TV with Apple TV. “We’re thrilled to bring TV programming to the iTunes Store in the UK,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “We’ve got 28 shows and expect to continue to add more great programming.” Show episodes cost £1.89 each, but entire series appear to cost less: all 14 available episodes of South Park, Series Ten cost £19.99 if purchased in one transaction.

			Anger at iTunes UK TV price Prices for TV shows through iTunes have sparked some criticism as 'rip off Britain' debate bubbles Jonny Evans Apple introduced TV show downloads through iTunes UK this week - and critics are already slamming the company over the £1.89 per episode price tag. UK Mac and iPod users have been searching for a legitimate online destination for the purchase of television shows for some time now, as Windows-backed services from Channel 4, BBC and ITV are already available. Apple launched its UK television download offering with a slim collection of mainly US-generated shows, including smash hits such as Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives. Similar series are available in the US, where they cost half as much as the company is charging the UK market. An epsiode of Ugly Betty costs $1.99 in the US (99-pence), but twice as much in the UK market. Critics are questioning the price, noting that Channel 4 sells its catalogue of television shows for just 99-pence each. Speaking to The Guardian, Jupiter Research analyst Mark Mulligan observed: "I wouldn't be surprised if they (Apple) had to change their prices soon: we're in a situation where everything is always more expensive in Britain." In some cases, the cost of an entire series of shows outweighs that of the physical DVD collections available in shops and by online mail order. Ugly Betty Season 1 costs £29.98 through Amazon UK, or £32.99 from iTunes; Lost season 3 costs £32.99 through iTunes, or £44.98 as a DVD from Amazon. There are some advantages. Desperate Housewives: Season 3 isn't yet available in the UK on DVD (where it will cost £33.74), but is available through iTunes for £32.99. However, the iTunes collection lacks the extra features available with the DVD released. Naturally, Apple's prices may reflect demands from content providers, who may be unwilling to cannibalise DVD sales by making better propositions available through iTunes.

			Apple confirms 5 Sept special event - new iPods Apple to hold special event in San Francisco next week Jonny Evans Apple last night confirmed its intention to host a special event at the Moscone West exhibition centre in San Francisco next week. As widely predicted the special event will take place at on 5 September at 10am local time (6pm UK time). The invitation which is being sent to media outlets depicts a silhouetted figure holding an iPod against a backlit sky, reminiscent of Apple’s recent iPod ads. The image is situated within a CoverFlow-like montage, which shows album cover art. Apple hasn't confirmed the subject of what it will discuss at the event, but current speculation favours the introduction of new iPod models - and the invitation seems to bear this out. Apple UK is holding its own press event in tandem with this one.

			Apple's next-gen iPod nano takes its lumps as current models run dry By Aidan Malley Published: 02:00 PM EST It isn't even available yet, but Apple's likely successor to the iPod nano has been dubbed the red-headed (and overweight) stepchild of the lineup by the online media. • A recently leaked image on the web suggests that the as yet unnamed sequel to Apple's mid-range iPod nano would resemble a stubby blend between today's model and the company's full-size players, borrowing the width and larger screen of the video iPod but the colorful look and short body of the more diminutive nano. The photo also showed the iPod in five paler (and more controversial) variants of today's iPod nano colors. The squat, out-of-proportion look has been dismissed by some as a hoax. But after a swift attack by Apple's legal team -- which essentially confirmed the widely syndicated image as authentic by claiming it was "stolen" from the company -- online news media quickly savaged the new player, hinting that Apple's new darling could stand to slim down its wide-hipped look. Gizmodo was first out of the gates with a mockup image and an ample dose of blunt criticism. "Compared to the iPhone, we think it looks like crap a step back," said blog editor Jesus Diaz. "It better be 3mm thin -- or else." Other sites that followed were even less kind to the jukebox, with Engadget unflatteringly naming it the "iPod nano 'phatty'" and comment posters labeling it the "Danny DeVito of iPods." At iLounge, a size comparison harshly christened the mystery player as the "iPod bilbo" -- a not especially subtle jab at its Hobbit-like appearance. Giz-style rendition of third-gen iPod nano (aka "iPod phatty") \| Source \| Gizmodo Whatever the reaction, checks by AppleInsider with multiple suppliers make it clear that the a nano replacement is on its way to stores as soon as next week. Best Buy and Target retailers across the US have all but run out of the flash-based player on shelves and in warehouses. Some hopeful buyers have simply been turned back by store clerks who neither had players to sell nor an estimate of when new models would be ready. For those that had received advanced notice from their suppliers, deliveries weren't set to resume until at least September 6th, according to the reports. This follows just a day after the planned Apple event where the company is expected to announce Mac OS X-based replacements for the majority of its iPod line. And while the 'fatboy' nano is almost certain to be one of these replacements along with a refreshed iPod shuffles, additional sources have observed that 30GB and 80GB models are listed as discontinued or otherwise impossible to order from regular buyers, further hinting at the much-anticipated arrival of a video iPod akin to the iPhone.

			Quick News

			and finally...

			Apple fuels 'iCar' ambition Apple developing close links with car makers Jonny Evans Apple is working closely with a range of car manufacturers to develop iPod interfaces for future vehicles. The company seems presently linked with Volkswagen and Jaguar. In addition to its work with these firms, iPod/Auto integration appears critical in today's highly-competitive vehicle market, with Toyota, Citroen and Lamborghini all recently announcing iPod support in new model cars. That Apple is in communication with car makers is nothing new. Apple and Mercedes-Benz unveiled the first integrated iPod connection kit as long ago as January 2005. But recent reports confirm that integration of the media player continues to gather steam as iPod's market dominance prevails. Jaguar's new XF is one of the most important vehicle releases the company has ever made, according to the company's head of design, Ian Callum. Callum told Car Magazine: "At the risk of sounding immodest, it’s the most important new car for us since the 1968 XJ6." He also confirmed the company has been working with the iPod maker: "We have been working with Apple on control interfaces," he said. The central console of the new Jaguar doesn't have a gear stick, but a control knob (the Drive Selecter). It also offers a portable audio interface for the iPod. In use the interface is touchscreen controlled using the vehicle's installed system: "In a world first, full Touch-screen control of the iPod allows access to Playlists and Music search by Artist, Album or Genre," Jaguar said of the control. Apple is in even closer discussion with Volkswagen. The two firms are discussing the notion of building an iCar in a link that has seen the CEOs of both firms meet to discuss the proposition. The Volkswagen iCar may be equipped with a Mac, along with iPod integration. Volkswagen spokesman Hans-Gerd Bode told Associated Press that there are many ideas, but "few" concrete plans at present.

			Uncle Mac's Siesta

			Mac in your Car!

			http://sourceforge.net/projects/idash

			http://www.macvroom.com/

			http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/faq-emporium/66390-faq-installing-mac-mini-your-car.html

			http://minidock.jp/en/index.html

			http://sourceforge.net/projects/idash

			Frankenwidget

			Hi, I enjoyed last week's edition and note your interest in the Google star shots. If you haven't already seen it I recommend that you take a look at http://www.stellarium.org/ This is really good. Regards Jim

			Starry Night Widget About Starry Night Widget Astronomy widget that will let you see the sky (planets, constellations) for any location on Earth. - Set your location by ZIP/postal code or by latitude and longitude, and the widget flips to show a view of the current sky. - With a touch of a button, see the sky from all directions. - It’s easy to customize your view. Choose to show constellations, the horizon, the ecliptic line, and labels for the celestial sights above. - The widget refreshes your sky image every few minutes so you are always looking at something new. What’s New in this Version - Date and time control - Zoom in / out

			St. British Mac

			RAID

			British Mac Labour Exchange

			Sam has worked in the film / TV post production industry for 7 years and is an off-line editor using Avid and Final Cut Pro Studio He has worked on both short form and long form work for clients such as the BBC and Channel 4 . Recently he has been the assistant editor on BBC2's 'The Restaurant'. Previous programmes worked on include 'Wild West', 'David Walliams Big Swim' and 'Jamie's Chef'. He is available for all kinds of video and audio editing and also is a musician who composes music for short films and showreels.

			Ye Olde Mac & Mouse

			Graham Jarvis Let me tell you a tale of woe but with a silver lining that may prick up the ears of subscribers to the British Mac podcast. Its a cautionary tale. A few weeks ago I was using my wife's MacBook to do some work on it - I'm convinced I can become more productive using Apples integrated suite of applications in iWork than trying to do the same in Microsoft Office or NeoOffice. I'd bought a cup of tea in the cafe I was working in and placed it on the table in front of me behind my MacBook. No idea how the thing got jogged, possibly someone knocked my table, but the whole lot ended up spilt on the table i was working at. As your listeners will know the MacBook has neat little ventilation grills at the rear. Whilst ideal for allowing sufficient ventilation when running the processor at full pelt they also allow the penetration of spilt hot tea into it's inner workings with minimal resistance. Note that I didn't spill any tea ON the laptop but a whole cupful behind it. Unsurprisingly the laptop stopped working immediately. I turned the thing over and tea came out of every gap in the casing possible. A quick call when I got home to Apple confirmed I should leave the machine to dry, take the battery out, and try it a day later with the magsafe power cord connected but battery still disconnected. This I dutifully did but the machine was still showing no signs of life. My next move was to call my insurance company with whom I had recently taken out an accidental damage policy. However it dawned on me soon after that whilst I'm ok at backing up important things, quite a lot of recent work was still on the machine and represented a number of days work. I consulted a number of companies who advertise at the back of Mac glossy magazines and got a few quotes in to recover the data on the hard drive. They ranged from £200 to £500! Fortunately I had good sense to take the MacBook to an Apple store a few days later, ostensibly to see if they could confirm it was beyond economic repair. This they did free of charge. They then also offered to back up all my data onto their servers for a modest sum of £35.50! So having brought in an external hard drive a few days after I now have all my lost data back with me. So I've learnt a valuable lesson or two in the process. Hot tea + MacBook = bad. Data recovery + limited funds = Apple Store. I was very impressed with the customer service I received both on the phone and in the shop from Apple. Although I hope not to repeat the experience of killing a Mac again and needing the same help any time soon...

			Hey Will, Typical init. Apple finally gives us brits some TV shows .. and they DON'T include Star Trek .. DAMMMNITTTT!!! Grrr and such. Oh well hopefully in time. Cos you know the original Trek series has been remastered and all .. new FX and stuff .. and a HD rendering .. of course you can get these on the USA iTunes store. So I'm really hoping they'll get these out soon. On this subject, I've actually got an interview coming up on my podcast with Greg Smith who recently conducted the new re-recording of the original series theme. He also also scored many episodes of ST: Various series, and he can introduce me to most of the big guns of Trek Music which is so cool. So anyways .. pissed with apple, even though they've done something nice. But I will be mollified when Trek becomes available. Talk soon Hetoreyn http://www.elvenmusic.com

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			British iCon

			Wallace & Gromit