So you got an iPhone or an iPod Touch for Christmas. Now what? Of course, the next step is to download as many applications as you possibly can. You’re probably already trying to get your hands on various apps, but here is a list of some of the apps that will bring you a whole lot of fun to usher the New Year in.
Spotify for the iPhone
Spotify has already captured the hearts of countless music lovers. It has been dubbed the ultimate music app for the iPhone. You can sync music – offline playlists – through WiFi among other things. Downloading the software is free, but in order to make full use of the Spotify service (listen-all-you-can), you have to pay for a subscription. It is well worth the fee, trust me.
Doom Classic
Younger kids may not have recollections of this game – which was mind blowing way back then – but everyone will enjoy playing Doom. The game play is very similar to the original and the controls very easy. More so, if you have the same WiFi connection, you and your friends can play together via the network!
Photoshop
The iPhone is not known for taking ultra nice pictures, but who needs excellent shots when you have Photoshop to “prettify” them for you? With this iPhone version, you can do a lot with those pictures – and you get free storage (2GB) at Photoshop.com as well.
Music, games, and photo editing – you’ve got all you need to keep you busy!
Tags: Applications, Doom, iPhone, iPod Touch, Photoshop, Spotify
Categories: Applications, Downloading Legally, Mobile Phones, ipods
I am pretty sure that you have heard about the ruckus that the Pirate Bay trial created. In the past several weeks, that’s all that many people could talk about; and why not? Pirate Bay has been around for so long that a lot of Internet users consider it part of the virtual landscape. Anyhow, the trial is over, and a new anti-file sharing law was passed in Sweden as a result.
Dubbed the IPRED law, it has made such a strong and positive impact on the legal downloading industry in the country. According to local reports, music sales have increased by a stupendous 100 percent in the days after the IPRED law was passed! The sales include those that were downloaded on PCs and mobile phones.
Ice News provides more details:
The Local newspaper reports that the company InProdicon is one of Sweden’s main legal file download companies. It provides around half of all downloaded music purchased within Sweden through its online and mobile phone services in conjunction with clients such as Telia, Tele2, Ahlens and MTV.
“The first week after the introduction of IPRED, sales increased by 100 percent compared to the previous weeks. I don’t know if this is only because of IPRED, but it is definitely a sign of a major change,” said InProdicon’s managing director Klas Brannstrom.
While the law and the results have a lot of implications, one thing is pretty clear to me: it seems to be effective in increasing legal downloads. I wouldn’t be surprised if more countries follow suit.
Categories: Downloading Legally, Mobile Phones, Music
Getting a new mobile phone presents a lot of new opportunities. This is especially true with the new smart phones you can get for cheap in the market today. Last week, I got myself a Nokia E63 – the “younger brother” of the Nokia E71 – and have since then been searching high and low for applications that I can install.
In my search, I ran across a very useful site that seems to be authorized by Nokia itself. Dubbed Mosh, the web site is full all sorts of apps that you can download legally to your Nokia mobile device. There are several things about Mosh that I really like.
One, it is totally free. The content offered in the web site can be downloaded without having to pay for anything. You just need to register to be able to download the applications. I think that it might even be possible to download stuff without having to register but I didn’t try that route.
Two, the content is totally safe. This is one of the things that the site prides itself on. The content is regulated and checked to make sure that what you download is virus free and safe for the users.
Three, you can add to the content by uploading to the site. There is already tons of content in Mosh – from themes to widgets to games to audio to graphics. And if you have got more to share, you just need to upload and let others enjoy what you have.
Categories: Downloading Legally, Mobile Phones
One of the pioneers of the music file sharing business, they have been persecuted, shut down and mimicked by many and idolized by the myriad of music file sharing sites that have popped up during their brief legal wrangling, but guess what, they’re back! Napster is one of the very first sites where people got free MP3’s and other audio files free and fast during the hay days of the digital music revolution. They have gone legal with memberships and other legalities but they still have free downloads for the first few songs you do get from them. They have re-worked their looks and have begun to comply with the many laws and statutes they have been subjected to and they are still one of the heroes of the digital music world when it came to MP3’s. With offerings for free web music access and their new and ever popular Napster Mobile, they have continued to revolutionize the music file sharing industry. They even offer discounts for military personnel in hopes of doing their part for the war effort overseas where music is one of the few luxuries people in the military can share and enjoy whatever the battle scenario may be.
They have also added support to the many digital multimedia players that are now common stay in every household and carry several versions of songs encoded in the formats they support. They also have functionality for mobile phones through Napster Mobile where music in all formats that are supported by phone manufacturers are offered for download. They have added a new and revised legal terms of use of their web site and the music they share emphasizing on the point that music you get from them is only for personal use, after that you’re on your own in the legalities of all the stuff you get. Most music sites (even the most reputable and publicized ones) have inclusions that though you have obtained music legally thought their web sites, the way and manner in which you use these tracks are covered by laws that prohibits use for anything other than personal entertainment.
Registration is necessary and there is a free music library along with a streaming music system they offer to subscribers and members but the free stuff is mostly offered to clients and users in the US only. Most of their permanent download files come with DRM included in the encoding of the files that allows a maximum of use for up to 3 computers only. There is also a clause which states that transfers from the parent device (the one you used to get the music with) along a maximum of two other computers are allowed. Three multimedia devices can safely be loaded with the music that has been purchased though there is not much indication of how they manage the DRM software and the way it works if you happen to have exceeded the copy restrictions.
In order to control Piracy, they have restricted their services to the US and territories cutting off many of their previous followers from around the globe. The licensing terms restricts them to the said area preventing further clashes with legalities that had hounded them in the past.
Tags: Legal Download Sites, Napster, Paid-Legal-Downloads, Streaming Videos and Music
Categories: Downloading Legally, Mobile Phones, Music, Providers, Videos, ipods
For border security has benn granted the right to inspeact and check for the authenticity of all your digital files whether they be on your iPod or your laptop according to proposed border laws. Canada is beginning preparations into turning their borders not only to screen for illegal entrants to their respective countries but also as copyright checkpoints according to Yahoo Tech and many people are getting jittery of having border guards asking for all gadgets and gizmos to check for pirated content. The rules of engagement so to speak are still quite muddy but indications say that they have been authorized to destroy hardware should it be necessary if it is found to contain pirated stuff.
The move is quite unsettling for there is still no universal way of telling whether a digital file is authentic or not and that there have still been no published guidelines on how the searches are going to be made. Imagine a laptop that has hundreds if not thousands of audio files, how the hell can they check all those files for legality? The move is part of the aliance between the United States and the EU that resulted in the ACTA agreement. ACTA stands for Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement which grants border authorities to question the legality of digital files on any digital device. May it be a thumb drive, a cellular phone, iPod or laptop, border guards are to be granted the authority to request for them and do searches using a set of methods (which should be quick by the way or travellers might mutiny due to delays affecting tourism and trade). You don’t only run the risk of loosing your precious iPod you take anywhere you can even be fined. Canada is now currently doing random searches of laptops for pornographic materials and the new law/s should they be approved would expand their searching abilities a set further (by a mile).
Further deliberations on the necessary rules and regualtions of the said law is to be debated on the next G8 meeting where the proposed law is to be laid out, diced and spiced hopefully with the protection of privacy in mind for the travelling public.
Tags: ACTA, Anti-Piracy Laws, Canadian Border Checks, Piracy
Categories: DVD Videos, Downloading Legally, Mobile Phones, Music, Videos, ipods
With the iPhone set to get a new version the music industry is hoping that the move by Apple to boost their online music sales. Most music is copied from computers after they are purchased from online stores and only a small percentage is acquired from direct online downloads. The newer version of the Apple iPhone is packed with 3G capabilities which is going to give it a more power in terms of connection and browsing the internet. A large majority of iPhone owners, 75% have shown that they use their iPhones to listen to music as an MP3 player. Having the capability to use 3G services will allow access on the new iPhone allowing direct purchasing of songs and videos directly from online sites.
There is no definite or official announcement of when the product is set to be released but sources say it would be more likely to come in early June. Older iPhones do have built-in capabilities such as WiFi. WiFi does not offer the high speed connections needed for phone downloads and suffers from coverage limitations. The iPhone represents only around 1% of the total number of all mobiles in use and the release of the newer version is set to give the series a boost in terms of connectivity options. They also suffer from competition from Blackberries which they have countered with their offering compatibility to Windows applications. Smart phones and other mobile phones form the bulk of the communications hardware and these companies are after the same market, Verizon has been delayed in offering their music with their tie-up with Rhapsody due to their decision to offer the service to most of the available market, which simply translates to more cellular phones that can be supported and access their music sharing service.
Tags: 3G Capable iPod, Apple Inc, iPhone
Categories: Mobile Phones, Music, Providers, Videos
There have been many gimmicks over the year which is usually a precursor of album releases. Sweepstakes for free passes, advertising gimmicks and many more have all had their shares of success. In the drive to develop newer ways of delivering the talent of their brood, music companies have gone far and wide for some of the craziest ideas on the planet just to hype an album’s release. In one of the previous posts, an artist worked hand in hand with a leading cellular phone manufacturer to release a new album as an added bonus for purchasing a new phone. The new phone came with the song already in it for consumers to enjoy even as they are settling their bill.
Artists on the other hand who do not have much backing from big record companies have been trying to get their work the exposure they need, first through YouTube then through social networking sites which promote their music. But keeping competitive with all the thousands of artists in the world not to count the thousands more who are around locally, artists have been finding it hard to get resources to fund further projects. Some big names in the business have put up heir own web sites to do their own promotion simply through word of mouth and search engines. Search Engine Optimization allows them to get their fans to visit their sites which they keep hooked with previews and free music they can listen to as they are browsing thought the site. They can even watch MTV’s of their favorite songs right at the convenience of their PC’s. What better way is it to promote an album than to give one out, for free. Yep, this might be the start of a new trend as the British band Cold Play has decided to offer their first single for free download, free as in no fees no per song charges and taxes to pay.
The move may help them promote their music for through social networking sites, people share interests and other information including their favorite songs and bands. Free marketing as the word get’s out and they include the music within their pages, they unknowingly promote the album for the band and record company. Record companies are having to agree to some odd ways for their artists to get the exposure with them not having to shell out cash for the price of an arm and leg. so check the free download from the ColdPlay site so you can get your hands on the free song, no charges guaranteed.
Tags: Album Releases, Cold Play, Launching
Categories: Downloading Legally, Freeware, Mobile Phones, Music, Providers, Videos
The company has been trying to move into the entertainment theater for quite sometime and they have managed to flop at each and every try. Why, their Apple TV venture is still struggling to make a profit with many customers expressing their opinions with the system’s lack of competitive and interesting content. The company has been trying to push streaming video and other content through the system but the amount of acceptable content has failed way below their promised mark. Many media giants have expressed interest but are still holding back as they try to see what the futuristic TV system that is hooked up to the internet rather than to a cable system is faring out.
Even the company’s CEO Steve Jobs is calling their company’s venture into Apple TV a hobby rather than a major money earning venture as they have invested much into the project with little returns in terms of profit. The promise of distributing content for the iPhone and iPod’s series of multi-media players has indeed perked up the area but still, major profits remain to be gained.
Apple, though it is quite a median player in the PC and portable markets with their Mac’s and Mac Books is recognized by many in the technology business as one of the most performing companies in terms of stock per stock value which is worth around $15.4 billion dollars with $5 billion added in the past year alone according to Fortune. The company continues to reign supreme with their iPod’s and iPhone which are some of the most wanted gizmos and gadgets on earth as far as multimedia is concerned. As more and more cheaper gadgets with similar capabilities come onto the market, the reign of the multimedia giant would be challenged a lot but not as much.
Tags: Apple TV, Flunking Expectations, iPhone, iPod
Categories: DVD Videos, Downloading Legally, Mobile Phones, Music, Providers, Videos, ipods
Nokia, one of the world’s leading cellular phone manufacturing firms has gone to extremes into the marketing of their N-series cell phones, bundled with a new album by India’s top singers. The album, by Rabbi Shergill a top fusion artist has his new album released bundled with the new N-series Nokia Phones. This is hailed by some to be the next step for the digital music industry, the diffusion of the formats for mobile and desktop use which has digital music in two formats. Using uniform playback and format capabilities allows users to have fewer devices in their pockets such is the case with the many walkman phones that have come out on the market. There are plans to release more albums in the same manner and they represent the offer of Nokia to take into consideration the tastes of their customers into consideration.
Being one of the world’s biggest and best cellular phone maker’s, Nokia has again led the pack in what would be the next step for digital music. Currently, cellular phones usually use proprietary formats for their media which can be music and video, digital media players(iPods, iTouch and others too have their own specific formats with desktops and other computers having the broadest range of playback capabilities. The diffusion of all these formats into a unified format would allow digital music for use on all the various devices. The move by Nokia can be called a market tester and they would surely be doing more if the market response would be preferable. The Nokia N-series is considered one of the most capable multi-media device on the market to date. India is considered to be one of the most densely populated countries in the world with most of them crammed into their major cities has a wide market that is open for the cellular market. With more and more of India’s population getting onto the fast paced life in cities and even globally, the market is ripe and set for the coming of the multimedia market going mainstream.
Tags: , N-Series, Nokia
Categories: Downloading Legally, Graphics, Mobile Phones, Music, Ringtones
In attempts to get music stores into the digital music band-wagon, they have come up with a form of digital music purchase system, well sort of. Several music stores have started to sell digital music cards much the same to prepaid cards that allows users to log on to the online store and get them to download their songs for the nifty price similar to the cost of a current audio cd which is $12.00. These cards have a code which they enter that gives the user a sort of consumable account from which their selections are deducted from from the store in CD purchases or for online use. They download the music/albums they wish to get and even get perks such as additional tracks that are offered only to those who purchase the digital cards.
iTunes has been offering Digital Release Cards for sometime and Sony-BMG has their own Platinum Music Pass which is said to have the rest such as Best Buy and Target on their heel to be offering them soon. These cards would allow more and more people to sample the digital music revolution which is still new to some users. They offer digital download only available add-ons such as bonus tracks you don’t get on the original CD. They may need to hurry it up for physical music stores may be going extinct soon for studies are showing that by the year 2012, digital music sales would account for around 40% of all music related sales.
There seems to be lessening ground for these music stores for the ever-expanding reach of the internet which makes digital music possible. Piracy which still accounts for the majority of digital music’s problems is getting heat from all sides and is said to be addressed with the advent and introduction of more digital music copyright controls.
Tags: iTunes, Sony BMG Platinum Cards
Categories: Downloading Legally, Mobile Phones, Music, Providers, ipods
