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Thu, 29 Jul 2004
Apple & Real disharmony
Following Real Network's announcement of Harmony, which allows music in other formats to be played on an iPod, Apple issued the following statement:
We are stunned that RealNetworks has adopted the tactics and ethics of a
hacker to break into the iPod(R), and we are investigating the implications of
their actions under the DMCA and other laws. We strongly caution Real and
their customers that when we update our iPod software from time to time it is
highly likely that Real's Harmony technology will cease to work with current
and future iPods.
Real replied that they believe "Consumers, and not Apple, should be the ones choosing what music goes on their iPod".
"Harmony follows in a well-established tradition of fully legal, independently developed paths to achieve compatibility. There is ample and clear precedent for this activity, for instance the first IBM compatible PCs from Compaq. Harmony creates a way to lock content from Real's music store in a way that is compatible with the iPod, Windows Media DRM devices, and Helix DRM devices. Harmony technology does not remove or disable any digital rights management system. Apple has suggested that new laws such as the DMCA are relevant to this dispute. In fact, the DMCA is not designed to prevent the creation of new methods of locking content and explicitly allows the creation of interoperable software." said Real in their statement.
My opinion: Choice is good. Harmony doesn't remove DRM or allow you to steal music; instead it converts music to other formats while preserving the DRM. It effectively opens the iPod to music downloaded from other sources.
One common criticism of the iPod in the PC press is that it's tied in to iTunes Musc Store and won't play music downloaded from other stores. Harmony can eliminate that disadvantage, and I'm sure it would help sell more iPods by allowing it to play more formats.
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iMovieFest.com showcases amateur filmmakers around the world
July 29, 2004 - iMovieFest.com, a new Web site community for Mac users, gives creative outlet to amateur filmmakers around the world. iMovieFest.com makes it easy for anyone with a video camera and a copy of iMovie or other Mac video-editing software to show off their movies online. The site gives everyone a chance to showcase their digital movies and receive ratings, reviews, and real-time movie statistics in return.
Basic membership at iMovieFest.com is free and not only gives filmmakers the ability to share movies with the world, the site also offers free sound effects, iMovie tutorials, filmmaking resources, and active forums for it's members. The site also offers an optional VIP upgrade where filmmakers can show an unlimited number of movies on the site, along with other VIP perks. In late August, iMovieFest.com will release the details of their first Mac filmmaking contest for its members. The site also has plans to offer video hosting this fall.
In the last two weeks since its launch, iMovieFest.com has grown to almost 700 members and more than 150 active movies. For those not interested in making movies, the site offers indie film entertainment covering most popular genres from documentaries to action movies. Audiences are encouraged to rate and review movies they have seen.
iMovieFest.com is the most effective and cost efficient way to get Mac-made movies seen by a global audience, including those in search of new talent. Unlike other film sites, iMovieFest.com allows filmmakers to retain the rights to their movies. Amateur filmmakers can get their movies in front of a worldwide audience by joining iMovieFest.com located at http://www.imoviefest.com
iMovieFest.com is owned by MNM Productions, LLC., a private Austin, Texas based partnership started by two amateur filmmakers. iMovieFest.com is an independent website and is not affiliated with Apple Computer, Inc.
LoadPod invades Canada with local service in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal
LoadPod, the service that loads your CD collection into your iPod so that you don't have to, is now bringing local service in the following Canadian cities:
- Toronto (Ontario)
- Montreal (Quebec)
- Edmonton and Calgary (Alberta)
The LoadPod network now includes thirty-five States and three Provinces, including major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Phoenix, Nashville, St. Louis, Baltimore, Orlando, Salt Lake City, and San Diego, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Minneapolis, Denver, Fort Worth, and Washington, DC. To learn more about the service, or to schedule an on-site pickup, visit LoadPod.com.