MacOrama für den 13. Oktober 2004

Musikmarkt-Thematik und kein Ende in Sicht. Als MS gestern seinen MSN Music Store offiziell startete, konnte man es sich nicht nehmen lassen gegen Apple zu feuern:

"iTunes has done a great job of helping to elevate the [digital music] market," said Christine Andrews, lead product manager of MSN. "We're different because Apple is a closed system. If you want Apple, you have to use the iPod. A lot of people want choice and we offer that."

Apple feuerte direkt zurück:

"92% of customers buying hard-drive based music players are choosing iPods, and over 65% of customers buying any type of portable digital music player including flash-based players are choosing iPods," Apple said in a prepared statement obtained by The Mac Observer. "This means that the iTunes Music Store, with its catalog of over 1 million songs, works with 65% of all MP3 players and 92% of all hard-drive based music players being sold today. There is a lot of customer choice happening today, it's just that Microsoft doesn't like the choices customers are making."

MacMinute gibt einen guten Überblick über die neue iPod Konkurrenz:

Creative, Gateway, iRiver, Rio, Roc Digital, Samsung, and Virgin. Each of the new devices, which will be available before the holidays, support the Windows Media Player 10 Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), which offers easier driverless setup, and Auto Sync for easier transfer of music and other content from a Windows PC.

Reuters liefert Zahlen der NPD Group zum Onlinemusikmarkt von Dezember 2003 bis Juli 2004:

iTunes remained the dominant destination, commanding nearly 70 percent of music files downloaded legally, while Napster's share for that period was 11 percent. MusicMatch, RealNetworks Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. each reached a six percent share.

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Auch wenn er nicht mehr im Apple Store testen kann, widerlegt Rob 'Barefeats' Morgan weiterhin Apples Grafik-Specs zum iMac G5:

However, when it comes to two of the top 3D "run-and-shoot" games, rather than the 179% to 212% advantage proudly reported by Apple, we are now convinced that the real numbers are more like 39% to 93%. Those are still good numbers. We still think the iMac G5 is a great replacement for the iMac G4, but words like "unparalleled 2D and 3D graphics performance" are a bit over the top.

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AI fährt laue eMac Gerüchte auf:

According to sources, Apple has been developing a redesigned eMac based around a G5 processor and more robust graphics processor, but may still choose to introduce one more incarnation of the eMac G4 due to current cost efficiency and supply concerns associated with the G5.

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Im gestrigen MacOrama war schon über den U2 Vertigo iPod Spot zu lesen und offenbar soll da noch mehr kommen:

"U2 is one of the greatest bands in the world, and we are thrilled to be working with them," Apple said in a statement. "You will hear more about Apple and U2 working together in the coming weeks."

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Im MacDevCenter:

In this article, I'll show you the steps you need to perform to extend your AirPort wireless network using the Wireless Distribution System (WDS) feature found in Apple’s AirPort base stations.

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Außerdem natürlich dokumentierte Fehler.
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Und nicht vergessen: Apple Quartalszahlen folgen heute Abend.