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Tag: Apple

  • Apple signs deals with airlines for iPod integration

    Apple signs deals with airlines for iPod integration

    MUMBAI: Software firm Apple has announced it is teaming up with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to deliver the first seamless integration between its music player on the go the iPod and in-flight entertainment systems.

    These six airlines will begin offering their passengers iPod seat connections which power and charge their iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on the their seat back displays.

    Apple VP worldwide iPod product marketing Greg Joswiak says, “There is no better traveling companion than an iPod, and now travelers can power their iPods during flight and even watch their iPod movies and TV shows on their seat back displays. We are excited to work with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to offer iPod users an even better in-flight experience.”

    In-flight iPod connectivity will be available to Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United passengers beginning in mid 2007. Additionally, Apple is working with Panasonic Avionics Corporation to bring even more leading airlines in-flight iPod connectivity in the future.

    The iPod ecosystem continues to flourish with more than 3,000 accessories made specifically for iPod that range from fashionable cases to speaker systems, and more than 70 percent of 2007-model US automobiles currently offer iPod connectivity.

  • Mukta arts to take Whistling Woods to South Africa and Dubai

    Mukta arts to take Whistling Woods to South Africa and Dubai

    MUMBAI: Filmmaker Subhash Ghai is planning to set up Whistling Woods, a film and media arts institute, in South Africa and Dubai through joint ventures with local partners.

    “We see opportunity in Dubai and South Africa. We have signed an MoU with the provincial government of the Western Cape and are in talks with Dubai Media City,” says Mukta Arts CEO Ravi Gupta.

    Whistling Woods International Ltd, a subsidiary company, will jointly conduct a feasibility report for each of these markets. “The cost of setting up each institute will be close to Rs 1 billion. We would want to do it along with local partners,” adds Gupta.

    Ghai, has signed with Ibrahim Rasool, the premier of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, Republic of South Africa, a declaration of intent to work out a collaborative strategy for establishment of a film and media institute in Cape Town. “We expect to complete the feability study in three to four months. We will take a decision only after that,” says Gupta.

    Mukta Arts has already pumped in Rs 600 million to set up Asia’s biggest film, television, animation and media arts institute in Mumbai. The aim is to create a talent pool for the rapidly-growing Indian film and animation industry.

    Whistling Woods, which is offering two-year courses, has tied up with technology majors including nVidia, Apple, Sony, AMD, Belden, Nortel, Seneca, DigiDesign, Recreate Solutions, ToonBoom and Sennheiser.

    The institute provides specialisations in direction, ccreenwriting, editing, acting, business of film and television, cinematography, art and techniques of animation and sound recording and design.

  • US pubcaster PBS inks deal with iTunes

    US pubcaster PBS inks deal with iTunes

    MUMBAI: US pubcaster PBS has launched content on the iTunes Store.

    Users can purchase and download documentary specials and episodes from PBS primetime and children’s programming.

    Episodes are priced from $1.99 each and immediately available for shows including Antiques Roadshow; Nova; Now and Arthur. PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger said, “Working with our member stations and producers, PBS is excited to deliver a variety of PBS’ award-winning primetime and kids’ television programs through iTunes.

    ” The remarkable success of PBS podcasts on iTunes over the past year indicates that PBS members and viewers of all ages are enjoying the new, expanded access to the content they want, when and where they choose.”

    Apple VP iTunes Eddy Cue says, “The success of TV on iTunes continues and we now offer over 220 hit TV shows from more than 40 networks. We are thrilled to partner with PBS to bring such educational and entertaining programming to iTunes Store customers.”

    Additional content attached to episodes will underscore the unique role consumers can play to ensure the continued creation and multi-platform delivery of PBS content by becoming a member of their local PBS station. The iTunes Store sells over one million videos per week. The iTunes Store began selling TV shows with five shows from ABC/Disney less than a year ago, in October 2005, and rapidly expanded its library to over 220 television shows from over 40 networks today.

    The iTunes Store now features over 3.5 million songs, 65,000 podcasts, 20,000 audiobooks, over 5,000 music videos, more than 75 feature films and 220 television shows.

  • Apple unveils new iPod shuffle

    Apple unveils new iPod shuffle

    MUMBAI: Apple has introduced the new iPod shuffle, nearly half the size of the original, it claims to be the world’s smallest digital music player. It is half a cubic inch in volume, weighs just half an ounce and features a all-new aluminum design and a built-in clip.

    The new iPod shuffle contains one gigabyte of flash memory which holds up to 240 songs, and is more affordable than ever at Rs. 5,600.

    “It’s hard to believe the new iPod is a real music player when you first see it,” said Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs. “But it is real, and holds up to 240 songs in an incredibly compact and wearable design that weighs just half an ounce.”

    iPod shuffle is based on Apple’s popular shuffle feature which lets users enjoy their songs in random order. Or listeners can simply flip a switch to listen to their songs in order, such as when listening to a new album. iPod shuffle features up to 12 hours of battery life.

    Users connect the new iPod shuffle to their Mac or PC with the included dock, and iTunes’ innovative AutoFill feature automatically syncs the perfect number of songs from their music library. Seamless integration with iTunes 7 and the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) allows customers to choose from a selection of over 3.5 million songs from the digital music store.
    The new iPod nano models are now available through Apple authorized resellers across the country for Rs. 5,600 (INR).

  • Apple to showcase Disney, Pixar, Touchstone & Miramax movies on iTunes Music Store

    Apple to showcase Disney, Pixar, Touchstone & Miramax movies on iTunes Music Store

    MUMBAI: Apple Computers’ has announced that the iTunes Music Store will carry movies from The Walt Disney Co. studios. This was in conjunction with the launch of their online movie service on 12 September 2006.

    As announced by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, more than 75 films will be available from Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax. New releases will be priced at $12.99 (euro10.22), when pre-ordered and during the first week of sale, or $14.99 (euro11.79) afterward. Library titles will be sold for $9.99 (euro7.86) each, informs an official release.

    Similar services like Amazon’s movie service which was launched last week, signed distribution deals with seven studios however, excluded Disney.

    In addition, Jobs also showcased a device that will make it easier for consumers to watch the videos on television. The gadget, dubbed iTV will allow consumers to watch movies purchased online as well as other digital content stored on a computer on a connected television set. It will be available for $299 (euro235) by early next year.

    Jobs also announced a new iPod nano with a 24-hour battery life and new games for the portable media player. The new iPods will come in five colors, and will priced between $149 (euro117) and $249 (euro196), adds the release.

  • Apple integrates the iPod in US automobiles

    Apple integrates the iPod in US automobiles

    MUMBAI: Apple has teamed up with Ford, General Motors and Mazda in the US to deliver seamless iPod integration across the majority of their brands and models.

    This makes it easy for iPod users to enjoy and control their iPod’s high-quality sound through their car’s stereo system. With the addition of these models, more than 70 per cent of 2007-model US automobiles will offer iPod integration.

    Apple VP worldwide iPod product marketing Greg Joswiak says, “We are delighted that Ford, General Motors and Mazda will support iPod connectivity in nearly all of their new models. Now more than 70 percent of 2007-model US automobiles will offer iPod integration, with General Motors alone making it available on all 56 of its models, representing millions of cars and trucks.”

    Ford and General Motors will feature iPod integration in the majority of their 2007 models in the US beginning later this year, while Mazda’s entire global 2007 lineup of cars and SUVs will offer iPod connectivity. iPod offerings for Ford, General Motors and Mazda provide drivers with outstanding sound quality while charging the iPod, while conveniently storing the iPod in the glove compartment. Seamless iPod integration also allows drivers to use their car’s multifunction controls to select their music using artist, album, playlist or shuffle songs, as well as to easily skip between tracks and playlists.

    Apple says that the iPod and iTunes are leading the digital music revolution, providing the best way to listen to music on the go, at home and in the car.

  • Global broadband households will more than double between 2005 and 2010: InStat

    Global broadband households will more than double between 2005 and 2010: InStat

    MUMBAI: Worldwide broadband households will more than double between 2005 and 2010, growing from about 194 million in 2005 to more than 413 million by 2010.

    Market research firm In-Stat notes that of all broadband households today, 12.8 per cent are already regularly viewing professional content via online content aggregators.

    Traditional broadcast TV networks are finally figuring out that they need to capitalise on “all this personalization stuff” or they will have deep trouble ahead.

    The Pay-TV services have realised that personalisation is the trend for the future, and they won’t be left behind while TV keeps expanding onto the Internet.

    Although online content aggregators are in the early experimentation stages of rolling out video services, they will have some dramatic revenue-generating opportunities in the next five year. The worldwide market for online content services is expected to expand by a factor of 10, growing from about 13 million households during 2005 to more than 131 million households by 2010, the high-tech market research firm says.

    In-Stat analyst Gerry Kaufhold says, “AOL, Google, Yahoo!, MSN, Apple, major broadcast TV networks, Pay-TV services and local TV stations are all working on ways to blend their video assets with personalised TV services.

    “The future of television is slowly being defined online, where the big Internet portals are finding ways to blend professional video with their high-touch services that follow consumers from screen to screen during the course of a typical day.”

    Although there has been much hype about multimedia home networks, low-cost portable storage devices that can move content throughout the home via sneakernet may win the favour of consumers because luggable media provides low-cost, high availability and convenience.

  • BBC DG Thompson & Apple’s Jobs top UK’s media power list

    BBC DG Thompson & Apple’s Jobs top UK’s media power list

    MUMBAI: BBC DG Mark Thompson has topped the Guardian’s list of the most powerful figures in the UK media once again.

    Three people in the top 10 come from technology companies, including Apple head Steve Jobs who is at number two. Jobs rises four places in this year’s list, keeping News Corp CEO Rupert Murdoch in the third spot for the second year in a row.

    The Guardian notes that Thompson has recently been in the news for his £619,000 salary and also for his radical restructuring of the corporation. This year’s list was dominated by the digital media revolution. Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page are in fourth place.

    As far as Google is concerned Guardian notes, “So ubiquitous has Google become that it is hard to imagine what we ever did without it. The ultimate convenience research tool, its founders Brin and Page are in the midst of transforming it from a search engine into a technology giant.”

    Rising from 19 to five on the list is Channel 4’s CEO Andy Duncan, who the paper notes, “ has overseen an unprecedented year of growth and ambition”.

    Jonathan Ross who hosts film shows for the BBC is at number 19.

  • Digital radio is where it’s at

    Digital radio is where it’s at

    SINGAPORE: Looks like it’s time for traditional radio stations in India to pull up their socks, as digital and internet radio is already being lapped up by about 50 million music lovers across the world.

    Not just that, but new ways of accessing music, (via wireless and Internet) has brought in a paradigm shift in the functioning of the traditional audio medium…

    Just a quick dekko at some facts and sweeping changes. With Podcasting gaining ground, interactive and savvy consumers are creating their own customized radio stations online. We already have have more than 40,000 radio stations podcasting live; which is a disturbing fact considering that there are only 30,000 traditional radio stations across the world. Also, the success of sites like myspace.com have gone on to show that social networking sites will become more important for selling music as compared to TV or Radio.

    Media futurist, & ThinkAndLink, CEO, Gerd Leonhard dwelled at length on the future of radio yesterday, the last day of Broadcst Asia. Addressing a packed audience of professionals from across the world, Leonhard said, “Digital & internet radio is now big in countries like UK, Japan, Korea, Scandinavia and very soon it’s going to catch on across the world. Traditional radio companies have to accept this and move ahead with the changes.”

    He further added, “The radio industry is touted to be roughly around $ 50 billion a year, constituting around 15 per cent of total advertising revenues. Now, this pie is going to be further fragmented and shared by mobile companies, and even companies like Apple, Google; even mobile companies as well as wireless companies. What has now emerged is that content owners will not hold distribution rights to their content anymore, so the only thing is to accept this and try to monetize from this. So, one will see a a new type of advertising which will be the revenue driver along with the content.

    Some relevant data which emerged from the session was that myspace.com, which currently has 28 billion page views, seems to be more important tpo advertisers than even a heavy rotation on MTV. Also, to listen to music, it’s the always with you/always on devices that are critical (2 billion mobile users, coupled with 50 million ipods). 
    When queried on his views on the Indian radio market, Leonhard said that, India along with China, and some untapped markets in Africa and Middle East will lead the rapid growth.

    Also, with the mobile and technology revolution sweeping India, the rates will fall further and people will access digital radio sooner than even other parts of the world.

  • Apple introduces U2 iPod

    Apple introduces U2 iPod

    MUMBAI: Software major Apple has introduced the new iPod U2 Special Edition as part of a continued partnership between Apple, U2 and Universal Music Group (UMG).

    The new U2 iPod is based on the fifth generation 30GB iPod and holds up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 photos or over 75 hours of video and features a distinctive, all-black stainless steel enclosure, red Click Wheel and custom engraving of U2 band member signatures.

    Apple VP worldwide iPod product marketing Greg Joswiak says, “We are thrilled to continue working with one of the greatest bands in the world to bring U2 fans a special edition of the world’s best digital music player. With its distinctive new design, including an all-black stainless steel enclosure, the new U2 iPod is sure to be a hit.”

    U2 iPod customers will also receive 30 minutes of exclusive U2 video downloadable from the iTunes Music Store. The new U2 iPod is available immediately for Rs.21,400.

    Featuring integration with the iTunes Music Store and the iTunes digital music jukebox, the new U2 iPod features Apple’s patent pending Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads digital music, podcasts, photos, audiobooks, home movies, music videos and popular television shows onto the iPod and keeps them up-to-date whenever the iPod is plugged into a Mac or Windows computer using USB 2.0. The new U2 iPod features up to 14 hours of battery life for music playback.

    The iPod requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port and Mac OS X version 10.3.9 or later and iTunes 6; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional (SP2) and iTunes 6. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; video capacity is based on H.264 750-Kbps combined with 128-Kbps audio; and photo capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos transferred from iTunes.