TechPatio » iTunes

Apple TV 3.0 and iTunes 9.0.2 Updates Are Out. Palm Pre Sync Gone Again.

Klaus — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:02:45 +0000

Apple quietly updated Apple TV software to version 3.0 and it now supports new stuff such as Genius Mixes, Internet radio, iTunes Extras and LP support. Press release: Apple Introduces Apple TV 3.0 Software With Redesigned User Interface.

The iTunes 9.0.2 update also breaks Palm Pre sync capability (again).

Engadget:
iTunes 9.0.2 adds support for Apple TV software version 3.0, adds an option for a dark background for Grid View, and improves support for accessibility.

iTunes 9 comes with many new features and improvements, including:

• An improved look and feel, including a new Column Browser for easily browsing your artists or albums, movies, TV shows, and more.

• iTunes Store has a brand new look, with improved navigation for quick and easy exploration.

• iTunes LP and iTunes Extras create unique experiences that feature exclusive interviews, videos, photos, and more – available with select album and movie purchases on the iTunes Store.

• Home Sharing helps you manage your family’s iTunes collection between computers in your home. iTunes can automatically transfer new purchases, or you can choose just the items you want.

• Genius Mixes are created for you by iTunes and play songs from your library that go great together.

• iPod and iPhone syncing now allows you to organize your iPhone and iPod touch home screens directly in iTunes. Syncing is now also more flexible, allowing you to sync individual artists, genres, or TV show and Podcast episodes.

• iTunes U items are now organized into their own section in your iTunes library.

• Sync with iPod nano (5th generation), iPod classic (Fall 2009), and iPod touch (Fall 2009).

• iTunes 9 also includes many other improvements, such as HE-AAC encoding and playback, more flexibility with Smart Playlists rules, simpler organization of your media files inside an iTunes Media folder, and more.

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Palm Users Waving Goodbye To iTunes Sync?

Klaus — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:45:59 +0000

The battle between Apple and Palm for the Palm Pre phone to be allowed iTunes synchronization has been going on for a while now, but it might finally have come to an end.

The last attack out of the Palm camp was to identify the Palm Pre as an iPhone by using Apple’s “USB ID”, but USB-IF (Implementers Forum) took Apple’s side last week and Palm was asked to behave and play nice.

Since then, Palm has tried to come up with other ways to sync with iTunes, but apparently no luck yet and with the newest version of WebOS (the operating system within Palm Pre) lacking the Media Sync option, it seems that Palm has given up.

But wait, there’s more… maybe Palm is just preparing for another attack? When asked if they have given up, a Palm spokesman said:

We never comment on what might or might not be in on our product roadmap.

So there you have it. If you crave for iTunes sync compatibility, buy a Palm Pre if you feel lucky (or read the “PS” below). Or you could just get an iPhone and have it work right out of the box?

PS: Palm, if you’re reading this, why don’t you just ask The Missing Sync how they make the Palm sync with iTunes and do what they do….?

This post was not sponsored by Apple, despite my obvious attempt to make you buy an iPhone. But if you do, check out this article: 10 great iPhone apps for the road warrior, by Evan.
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How-To: iTunes TV Shows & Movies For Non-US Citizen

Klaus — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:36:25 +0000

UPDATE – September 16th 2009: It seems the Danish media finally found out about this tip, as articles today so far has featured in Politiken, DR P3 News and Maczonen.dk. According to Danish lawyer, Peter Lind Nielsen, it’s not – seen from a Danish legal point of view – nothing illegal about this method as nobody will lose anything (since you can’t buy the products in the Danish iTunes Store) so it’s not considered fraud. That’s good news. Let’s just hope Apple doesn’t mind it too much either…

Disclaimer: I originally wrote this in Danish over a year ago, but it should still apply today. I also take no responsibility for anything. Not even if your coffee machine starts making tea!

Even though iTunes Store TV Shows & Movies are available in some countries in Europe by now, there’s still many countries not having access to the goody bag. To be honest, it really sucks. Lots of users would like to pay for their content online, including me, but they can’t because the rights holders and networks can’t seem to agree on some sort of deal and make their content widely available.

Instead, sites like ThePirateBay and Newzbin (free trial for UseNetServer) are flourishing with all their illegal content that users can download for free.

So if you live in a “non iTunes TV Shows & Movies friendly”-country you basically have 2 options to get online content within TV shows and movies:

Download illegal as mentioned above.
Break a few iTunes Store rules and pay to download your content legally.

Just to clarify, I cannot guarantee for how long this tip will work or if it will work for you. You also run the risk of Apple closing your (new) iTunes account and seize the funds within, if you’re caught. However, I’ve never heard of that happening and I haven’t had any problems myself either, having spent several hundreds of dollars on TV shows and movie downloads/rentals on iTunes Store over the past few years.

You should also prepare some “fake” details you can use. Find an address somewhere in California (for tax reasons), pick a hotel or something, so you don’t involve an innocent person. You should also consider using an “American” name for your new iTunes account and make sure not to use an e-mail address that is too local (non-US). Consider signing up for a free Gmail/Hotmail account.

UPDATE – September 29th 2009: Apparently the “none” option from step #5 below has been removed by Apple. There’s another workaround which is reported to work:

Go to the US iTunes Store.

Find a FREE application for iPhone / iPod Touch (look in the App Store, right column)

Click on “Buy now”. When the account field appears, click “Create account” – and then it should work.

Unfortunately I cannot provide more information at this time, but I hope it works for you!

Here’s how you do it:

First you need to buy an iTunes Store Gift card/certificate. You might be able to find them on eBay but check the sellers feedback first, so you don’t get scammed. A $50 iTunes gift card might go for $55, so the seller will make a small profit on you. If you’re having troubles finding it, contact me and I can set you up with the lady I’ve been using for over a year (quick electronic delivery too).
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Get into the iTunes Store in your iTunes application, logout from your current iTunes account if you’re already logged in (important). Now make sure you select the “United States” iTunes Store from the drop-down box at the bottom of your iTunes Store homepage.
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Once in the US store, click “Redeem” in the right column. Enter the code from your iTunes gift card you received from the eBay seller.
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Agree to the terms & conditions displayed. After this, it is very important that you click “Cancel”. Otherwise, if you continue, you will be asked to enter credit card details and that credit card will have to be an American credit card, which you probably don’t have…?
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Now, click “Redeem” again from the right column. Create a new iTunes account. In “step 3 of 3″ you should see the option “None” marked under payment method. If “None” is not selected and you cannot select it, you have to start over and try again. Once your iTunes account is created you should be all set.

Hopefully it worked for you and you can now download all the TV Shows and Movie Rentals you like until you have no more money available in your account. You can also use your new iTunes account to watch TV shows and rent movies from Apple TV, including HD and surround-enabled movies.

Even though it sucks having to break the rules just to spend money, I prefer breaking iTunes T&C’s and pay for my content, rather than downloading it illegally from torrent sites etc.

I know it’s wrong… but what are the alternatives?
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iTunes Now Syncs With Palm Pre Again And Android

Klaus — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:42:05 +0000

Palm Pre

Last week Apple released an update to iTunes breaking the “compatiblity” allowing Palm Pre to sync with iTunes. Shortly after the stock price for Palm dropped, though it’s not certain that the two events are actually connected. Nevertheless, say hello to Salling Mediasync – an application that’s been around for quite some time allowing iTunes to sync up with a lot of different mobile devices. Now Salling Mediasync also supports phones such as Palm Pre and HTC Hero (Android).

Salling Mediasync is available both for Mac and Windows and supports syncing of your iTunes library containing music, podcasts, video and photos. There’s a free version of the application as well as a paid version which allows for faster synchronization.
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