JetLib News

Ping, Apple’s new social network for music, has already seen a lot of rave reviews. The service is part of the latest version of iTunes and lets users connect with friends and artists to share and follow music tastes.

The social networking service already has a lot of music artists signing up to connect with their followers.

However, Ping in its current form could turn out to be a haven for impostors and spammers. TechCrunch points out that the new music social networking service already has fake accounts in the name of Mark Zuckerberg and The Beatles. Considering the lucrative opportunity involved in selling music to followers, TechCrunch notes that Ping is likely to invite spammers to create fake accounts of popular music bands to sell their music. The issue could be sorted out through proper referencing methods using third party services like Facebook Connect that could help validate iTunes accounts. 

Users who have accessed Ping recently may have noticed a minor change in the ‘Find People‘ functionality. The feature originally allowed people to find friends by signing into their Facebook account. However, this functionality has since then been removed.

According to a report on All Things Digital, the move follows Facebook’s reluctance to open their API up for a service that they doubt could significantly impact their infrastructure. According to sources, Facebook has been insisting on an agreement with Apple that will help the company protect its user data and minimize infrastructure impact. Though such agreements are normally not required for websites making use of the Facebook API, the networking service is noted to have required these agreements considering the massive 160 million installed user base of iTunes.

All Things Digital further reveals that the two companies were unable to reach an agreement over Ping. Consequently, Facebook is reported to have blocked access to iTunes due to Apple’s violation of its terms of service, which has forced Apple to remove the functionality from Ping. It is however believed that the Facebook Connect feature could soon be reinstated as the two companies are still discussing the matter. In a media statement released yesterday, Facebook said:

“Facebook believes in connecting people with their interests and we’ve partnered with innovative developers around the world who share this vision. Facebook and Apple have cooperated successfully in the past to offer people great social experiences and we look forward to doing so in the future.”

We are keen to see the functionality brought back. Have you checked out Ping? What are your impressions on the new service? Tell us in the comments.

[via TechCrunch, All Things Digital]

Source: Facebook Friend Search Functionality On Ping Removed After Facebook Blocks API Access

rsmiller510 writes “Could Apple’s announcement about Ping, a music-based social network be Apple’s social networking trojan horse? Facebook might want to be concerned.” Of course it is.

Source: Ping Could Be Apple’s Social Networking Backdoor?

Apple introduced a new version of iTunes – iTunes 10 at today’s special event along with the launch of the new iPod models and Apple TV.

iTunes 10 comes with an all new logo, Apple has ditched the CD in the new logo.

One of the major features introduced in the new version of iTunes is Ping, Apple’s social network for music.

iTunes Ping allows you to follow your favorite artists and friends just like Twitter but to discover the music they’re downloading, listening to and talking about.

Steve Jobs said:

“iTunes is the number one music community in the world, with over 160 million iTunes users in 23 countries, and now we’re adding social networking with Ping. With Ping you can follow your favorite artists and friends and join a worldwide conversation with music’s most passionate fans.”

Ping will also be accessible from the iPhone and iPod Touch with the iOS 4.1 update.

Here are some screenshots of iTunes Ping:

iTunes 10 also comes with a streamlined user interface.

Apple has also improved the syncing process in iTunes 10.

The new version of iTunes also includes support for AirPlay, a new version of AirTunes, which will allow you to stream music, video, and pictures around the house to devices that support AirPlay wireless technology.

You can download iTunes 10 now from the download page.

Please don’t forget to drop us a line to tell us what you think about iTunes Ping.

Source: Apple Introduces iTunes 10 With Ping – Social Network For Music – Available For Download

Lanxon writes “Music lovers can now be immortalized when they die by having their ashes baked into vinyl records to leave behind for loved ones, reports Wired. A UK company called And Vinyly is offering people the chance to press their ashes in a vinyl recording of their own voice, their favorite tunes or their last will and testament. Minimalist audiophiles might want to go for the simple option of having no tunes or voiceover, and simply pressing the ashes into the vinyl to result in pops and crackles.”

Source: Company Presses Your Ashes Into Vinyl When You Die

Apple's annual media event in September has primarily revolved around the company's offerings in the music & entertainment space.

This year too appears no different as we eagerly await the unveiling of the new iPod Touch and Apple TV. Besides this, we also expect a few more announcements on products that have stayed under the radar so far.

One such announcement is the next generation iPod nano. Several sources have pointed out to the possibility for the new iPod nano to become significantly smaller than the current model. According to Shaw Wu from Kaufman Bros., Apple has been sourcing components for a new iPod nano model that could come without a clickwheel. Wu indicates that this could be  one of Apple's strategies to turnaround the sales of iPod nano that has seen a slowdown in recent times.

These rumors are also backed by iLounge who have published pictures from a Chinese website displaying cases for Apple's next-generation model of iPod nano. As you can see from the pictures embedded below, the new iPod nano appears to be much squarer than the current model that enjoys a widescreen display. Also, you may notice the open strip on the rear side that could possibly house a camera or a built-in clip for volume control.

The iPod nano is not the only product to have missed out on the headlines of late. Peter Kafka from All Things Digital also speculates a massive overhaul of the iTunes music store. But unlike popular perception, Kafka says that Apple could be deferring on the cloud-based model and could instead be launching a web-based iTunes service, which is more social.. He says that the new version of the web-based iTunes service would enable easy syncing across the internet and make it easy for users to share their music tastes – not songs – with their users. Kafka writes: 

"Right now, you can get to the iTunes store only by using a downloaded program on your Mac or iPhone/iPod/iPad. But a Web-based version would allow buyers to get there without having to quit other applications. And if Apple makes it easier for services like Twitter and Facebook to link into the store and share recommendations, playlists and the like, then you can imagine some pretty interesting possibilities."

Another speculation doing the rounds is about a new wireless syncing system that will enable users to sync music between their iPhone and laptop without having to connect the two devices. We must point out that these speculations do not have too much backing at the moment and need to be taken with a grain of salt. 

This has been an interesting week of speculations. Are you excited about the upcoming media event?

[via All Things D, iPodnn, iLounge]

Source: Apple Media Event Rumors – Smaller iPod Nano, Social iTunes And More

Back in February, we had reported that Grooveshark, an online streaming music service that claims to be the 'Youtube for music' had released their new iPhone application on Cydia for jailbroken iPhone users as Apple had not approved their iPhone app.

After several months of discussions with Apple, App Store review staff finally approved their iPhone app few days back.

But it didn’t last too long as Apple has removed the Grooveshark iPhone app from the App Store yesterday, due to a complaint they received from Universal Music Group UK.

Grooveshark is a free web based music streaming service that allows users to upload, share and stream tracks from a massive catalog of songs. The new iPhone app will allow their Premium/VIP members of the service use their iPhone to search for music from the huge database. Additionally, users can also organize tracks into playlists, mark tracks as favorite and listen to songs offline.

The iPhone app was only available to VIP members. You can become by paying $3 per month or $30 per year, which is a lot cheaper than competing music streaming services like Rdio, MOG and Rhapsody.

Grooveshark was surprised to find out that their iPhone app was removed from the App Store.

Apple sent us a letter notifying us that, due to a complaint they received from Universal Music Group UK, Grooveshark for iPhone has been, strangely, pulled from the App Store

This comes as an absolute surprise to us, and we are not sleeping until we figure out exactly how to fix this—and get Grooveshark for iPhone back in the App Store. Above all, our biggest concern is damaging the service we provide to all of you guys—our loyal (awesome) users.

Universal Music Group had filed a lawsuit against Grooveshark over the service’s use of IP back in February.

Mashable points out:

Grooveshark is an easy lawsuit target because of its approach to music licensing and distribution. Unlike competing services like Rdio, MOG and Rhapsody, Grooveshark’s database of songs is uploaded and cataloged by end users. Grooveshark doesn’t police these uploads for copyright violations, instead relying on license holders to file takedown requests. To date, EMI is the only company that has entered into a licensing agreement with Grooveshark.

Grooveshark iPhone app is currently not available on Cydia but I won’t be surprised if it makes an appearance once again.

We’ll keep you posted on this developing story so stay tuned here at iPhone Hacks or follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our RSS feed.

[via Grooveshark’s blog, Mashable]

Source: Grooveshark: Streaming Music iPhone App Removed From The App Store

Trintech writes with this quote from an article at Ars Technica:
“Music labels and radio broadcasters can’t agree on much, including whether radio should be forced to turn over hundreds of millions of dollars a year to pay for the music it plays. But the two sides can agree on this: Congress should mandate that FM radio receivers be built into cell phones, PDAs, and other portable electronics. The Consumer Electronics Association, whose members build the devices that would be affected by such a directive, is incandescent with rage. ‘The backroom scheme of the [National Association of Broadcasters] and RIAA to have Congress mandate broadcast radios in portable devices, including mobile phones, is the height of absurdity,’ thundered CEA president Gary Shapiro. Such a move is ‘not in our national interest.’ ‘Rather than adapt to the digital marketplace, NAB and RIAA act like buggy-whip industries that refuse to innovate and seek to impose penalties on those that do.’ But the music and radio industries say it’s a consumer-focused proposition, one that would provide ‘more music choices.’”

Source: NAB, RIAA May Seek Mandate For FM Radios In Mobile Devices

An anonymous reader writes “Apparently, if you even have been *thinking* about bootlegging the Mile High Music Festival this coming weekend in Denver you’ve already been sued. No joke. Event producer AEG has already filed trademark infringement claims against 100 John Does and 100 Jane Does in anticipation that they’re going to bootleg the event. Since none of the sued parties have actually done anything yet, no one’s showing up in court to protest the lawsuit either, so it moves forward… meaning that AEG can use it to get all sorts of law enforcement officials (US Marshals, local and state police and even off-duty officers) to go seize bootleg material.”

Source: Music Festival Producer Pre-Sues Bootleggers

supersloshy writes “VideoLAN, makers of the well-known media player VLC, have just announced a new project called libaacs. The libaacs library’s intention is to provide a free software library to implement the AACS specification, the copy-protection found on things such as Blu-ray discs. Note that this isn’t meant to actually be a decoding library. It includes no AACS keys and is solely developed for research purposes.”

Source: VideoLAN Announces libaacs

rueger writes “Lots of people love iTunes. I’m partial to emusic.com. Ubuntu comes pre-equipped for Jamendo and Magnatune. These are great for those of us hunting popular music — but where do lovers of classical music go to find new artists and albums, download music, and generally keep informed, up to date, and satisfied? As my girlfriend put it, ‘I used to go the the big classical record stores downtown, but they’re gone.’ Where do people go to find the newest Ligeti String Quartet recording?”

Source: String Quartets On the Web?