Ars Technica Is Recanting "No iTunes" Post

So there! I stuck to my guns and perhaps I'll be vindicated. To get the full details of what they are now predicting, check out the full article here.

The best news for me, however, is they are now predicting iPhone Firmware 2.1. I just spent another grueling day restoring my iPhone from the dreaded Gray Apple Screen Freeze (see our 3G Survival Guide for more info). Although my phone is now functional iTunes doesn't recognize it other than to offer restore it to factory settings or to restore from a backup. I ALREADY DID THAT! Man oh man I'm hoping version 2.1 brings an end to this very unstable and bug infested iPhone OS.

Those are strong words, I know, but I've never had to deal with anything like this from an Apple product. Sure most OS updates bring a random bug or instability but none that I can remember have ever been as bad as iPhone Firmware 2.0. The Gray Apple Screen Freezes, random reboots, corrupt backups, and the list goes on. Yes I still love my iPhone but I could certainly do without the crapware that is iPhone Firmware 2.0.

I'm keeping all of my appropriate appendages crossed for Tuesday.

Joe Henry

Ars Technica Isn't Betting On iTunes 8

Ars Technica isn't betting on iTunes 8 being introduced at Tuesday's "Let's Rock" event. David Chartier, writing for Ars Technica doesn't give any reasons for the lack of faith of version 8's intro.

The one thing we aren't betting on is seeing iTunes 8 introduced on September 9. Call it a hunch, or call it something else, but we don't plan on waking up Software Update just yet.

We're still predicting an iTunes 8 intro here at And Yet Another Apple Weblog. Not that that means anything as we have no insider info, no insiders, no anything. Call it a hunch or something else. Personally, I do plan on waking up Software Update Tuesday afternoon.

The thing is, Ars Technica has a pretty good track record for predicting what's going on and what will go on with Apple.

Here's our final prediction for Tuesday: Apple will or won't announce new products and or services and they will or will not get a bunch of free publicity and media coverage. Actually no matter what happens on Tuesday they'll get a bunch of free media coverage. That's just how it works.

Joe Henry

64-bits: Why You Should Care

AppleInsider is running a very interesting series of articles on Snow Leopard (Apple's next version of OS X) and 64-bit computing. The series is a good read and although a bit technical, it's written in a fashion that even us non-technical types can sort of understand what's going on. The gist of the article posted today is that with 64-bit Snow Leopard apps should run significantly faster. I'm all for faster. You can never be too fast can you? ;)

I wasn't all that excited about the upcoming Snow Leopard because Apple has stated that there will be no new and interesting features and that they're just focusing on improving Leopard. I'm now a little more excited and I bet Apple will include some new features and technologies despite what they've already stated.

So, bring on the SnoCat!

Joe Henry

Apple Not Likely to Roll Out Subsciption Service

The blogosphere is abuzz trying to predict what exactly Apple is going to unveil at next Tuesdays "Let's Rock" event. One thing most places aren't predicting is a subscription service. In fact, according to CNET's Greg Sandoval

"My sources say that they don't expect Apple to announce anything to do with music content, and they are sure Apple won't be rolling out an iTunes music subscription service."

Read the full article here.

This doesn't surprise us here at AYAAW and it shouldn't surprise you either. Although Steve Jobs has gone back on things he said Apple wouldn't do in the past we just can't believe a subscription music service would be

one of them. Apple and iTunes are doing very well all by themselves selling music outright and becoming the number one retail music seller in the U.S. so there doesn't seem to be any compelling reason to roll out a subscription service. Other subscription services don't seem to be doing all that great and are dwarfed by Apple's share of the retail music business, so it just doesn't make sense.

This last spring, however, there were rumors flying around that Apple would offer iTunes Unlimited: a subscription service whereby the entire iTunes library would be available as an add-on to the purchase of an iPod or iPhone and subscribers could download and keep the music as long as they owned the device. Read more about this rumor at Ars Technica. It's an interesting idea.

Most rumor sites are predicting new iPods and iTunes 8 and we think those are the most likely to be true. New Macbooks are also rumored to be part of the event but we don't buy that. This is a music event and as such won't include any hardware refreshes other than iPods. Still, it is Apple and Steve Jobs does so like to surprise.

Joe Henry
AYAAW

Apple "Let's Rock" Special Event

Apple sent out invitations to media outlets for a special event to be held on September 9th. at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. The event, titled “Let’s Rock” is being held at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

I’m willing to bet that a new iPod and iTunes 8 will be revealed. Yeah I know, neither one are a big stretch but I’m not much of a gambler.

Alas, AYAAW wasn’t invited so we’ll just have to watch the other Apple media outlets on the day of the event. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.

Joe Henry
AYAAW

Robbie White Releases Spectrum for RapidWeaver

Robbie White announced the release of a new RapidWeaver theme yesterday: Spectrum. The new theme continues to push the envelope in terms of features and beautiful design that RapidWeaver users can incorporate into their own websites.

Spectrum’s fading/glowing navigation system is probably it’s most noticeable feature but not the only one. Spectrum features fading/glowing navigation in the sidebar as well, where your second and third tier page navigation controls reside. The theme comes with a variety of header artwork, Google and RapidSearch JavaScript search snippets and of course, validates XHTML and CSS valid.

If you own RapidWeaver you owe it to yourself to check out Robbie White’s Spectrum live demo.

Joe Henry
AYAAW

Griffin Announces Double Bonus Slots

Griffin Technology, creators of iPod and iPhone accessories like the iTrip AutoPilot and EarJams, today announced the availability of it’s newest iPod Touch/iPhone app Double Bonus Slots.

The slot machine simulation game features a large view in landscape mode, fast animation and graphics and will keep track of your winnings.

Check out Double Bonus Slots at the iTunes app store.

Joe Henry
AYAAW