by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz
Apple has announced the addition of HD quality movies to its popular iTunes platform this week, giving users a chance to rent or purchase the movies in a much higher bitrate than current standard definition versions.
HD rentals were formerly only available to Apple TV owners but is now available to all Mac and PC users that have an iTunes account.
An new release HD movie rental will cost $4.99 and older catalog titles will cost $3.99 USD. The standard definition counterpart runs $1 cheaper. If you prefer to purchase the movie, the HD film will cost $19.99 USD, a discount from a physical Blu-ray film for the most part, but a steep premium from SD purchases.
Apple notes that over 250 million TV episodes have been purchased from the iTunes store along with 33 million movies.
Monday, March 23, 2009
SpiralFrog kicks the bucket
21 March 2009 11:25 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz
In September of 2007, the advertisement supported free music download site SpiralFrog debuted with 700,000 songs available , including the entire Universal catalog. In June of 2008, the service added more music, this time from the EMI catalog, putting available tracks at over 2 million.
Today, that service has shut down, leaving all users who purchased any music with 60 days to play their DRM-crippled tunes before they disappear.
SpiralFrog was once dubbed a possible "iTunes Killer," but financial issues and an executive shakeup shook many consumer's confidence in the company.
At the time, the service was one of very few that allowed users to listen to music for free but since then much bigger companies have made similar services available, including MySpace, Last.fm from CBS and imeem. Also notably, the behemoth video sharing site YouTube shows music videos, for free, from three of the Big 4 labels.
The difference is of course, that SpiralFrog offered downloads whereas the other services offer streaming, but SpiralFrog downloads did not have iPod support so there is arguably no difference.
In September of 2007, the advertisement supported free music download site SpiralFrog debuted with 700,000 songs available , including the entire Universal catalog. In June of 2008, the service added more music, this time from the EMI catalog, putting available tracks at over 2 million.
Today, that service has shut down, leaving all users who purchased any music with 60 days to play their DRM-crippled tunes before they disappear.
SpiralFrog was once dubbed a possible "iTunes Killer," but financial issues and an executive shakeup shook many consumer's confidence in the company.
At the time, the service was one of very few that allowed users to listen to music for free but since then much bigger companies have made similar services available, including MySpace, Last.fm from CBS and imeem. Also notably, the behemoth video sharing site YouTube shows music videos, for free, from three of the Big 4 labels.
The difference is of course, that SpiralFrog offered downloads whereas the other services offer streaming, but SpiralFrog downloads did not have iPod support so there is arguably no difference.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Metallica To Play Secret South By Southwest Guitar Hero: Metallica Launch Show
Metallica will be playing a surprise show at Stubb's, Austin's legendary venue, on Friday, March 20 at 10 p.m. as part of the "Guitar Hero: Metallica" showcase at Texas capital's annual South By Southwest music festival.
Stadium headliner Metallica is going to play Stubb's, a venue that holds only 2,100 for the Guitar Hero: Metallica release party. Metallica's site says "There will be live music, a DJ, and of course the boys will be hangin' out . . . and who knows what else might happen!".
It will be a standard SXSW policy, with badges and wristbands getting priority. There will also be a line for those willing to pay cover, but admission will be based on space availability. But as Stubb's is an outdoor venue fans will be able to hear the band all the way to Hyde Park.
Starting Wednesday, March 18, there will be a three day "Metallica Madness" Guitar Hero tournament at the Best Buy store in South Austin, TX during the South by Southwest Music Festival.High scorers on each of the three days (one drummer and one guitarist plus a couple of runners up to make the "elite eight") will then move on to compete Friday night at a special Guitar Hero: Metallica release party at Stubb's, also in Austin, TX.
Source: Metallica Blog Magnetic
Stadium headliner Metallica is going to play Stubb's, a venue that holds only 2,100 for the Guitar Hero: Metallica release party. Metallica's site says "There will be live music, a DJ, and of course the boys will be hangin' out . . . and who knows what else might happen!".
It will be a standard SXSW policy, with badges and wristbands getting priority. There will also be a line for those willing to pay cover, but admission will be based on space availability. But as Stubb's is an outdoor venue fans will be able to hear the band all the way to Hyde Park.
Starting Wednesday, March 18, there will be a three day "Metallica Madness" Guitar Hero tournament at the Best Buy store in South Austin, TX during the South by Southwest Music Festival.High scorers on each of the three days (one drummer and one guitarist plus a couple of runners up to make the "elite eight") will then move on to compete Friday night at a special Guitar Hero: Metallica release party at Stubb's, also in Austin, TX.
Source: Metallica Blog Magnetic
Friday, February 20, 2009
AC/DC riot
AC/DC fans rioted in the streets of Oslo last night after the rock legends played a show in the city.
Their gig at the Telenor Arena in the Norwegian capital had been blighted by problems beforehand, according to reports.
Traffic difficulties worsened following the show, with many people stranded due to long queues and stationary vehicles.
Alcohol-fuelled fans are then said to have gone on the rampage, throwing bottles at police cars and tearing down crowd-control fences.
No arrests were made and there has been no comment from AC/DC, who were on the latest leg of their "Black Ice
" world tour.
Their gig at the Telenor Arena in the Norwegian capital had been blighted by problems beforehand, according to reports.
Traffic difficulties worsened following the show, with many people stranded due to long queues and stationary vehicles.
Alcohol-fuelled fans are then said to have gone on the rampage, throwing bottles at police cars and tearing down crowd-control fences.
No arrests were made and there has been no comment from AC/DC, who were on the latest leg of their "Black Ice
" world tour.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Springsteen Hard Rock Tickets
Bruce Springsteen has been confirmed as a headliner at this year’s Hard Rock Calling which takes place in Hyde Park.
When Bruce and the E Street Band appear on stage on Sunday 28 June it will be their first ever festival appearance outside the US.
There had been strong rumours that Bruce would be appearing at Glastonbury Festival this year, but with the festival taking place at the same time as Hard Rock Calling those rumours must surely be in doubt.Springsteen’s support at Hard Rock Calling will come from the Dave Matthews Band and the Gaslight Anthem,with more to be confirmed.
The headliner for the Saturday night of Hard Rock Calling is yet to be confirmed.
Tickets for Hard Rock Calling go on sale on Friday 13 February at 9am.
But you can get tickets on the Thursday at :-
Get your tickets first with Absolute Radio
Tickets for Bruce at Hard Rock Calling will go on-sale this Thursday at 9.00am, 24 hours before the official on-sale time, through the Absolute Radio ticket storeYou can get tickets at http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/
Ticketmaster Sued Over Touting Tickets
Ticketmaster have been slapped with a C$500m lawsuit after it was accused of touting tickets for a concert in Ontario.
According to Billboard.biz Henry Krajewski, a resident of Toronto, is suing the ticket giant after their official site directed him to their ticket reseller site, TicketsNow, where he purchased two tickets to a Smashing Pumpkins concert at a price well above their face value. Two tickets with a face value of C$66.50 cost him a total of C$533.65. In three provinces of Canada,
Ontario included, reselling tickets above face value is illegal and the lawsuit filed says that Krajewski is claiming damages based on Ticketmaster's expected revenue during the time it will likely take the case to makes its way through the courts.
It is the second time in a week that Ticketmaster has landed in hot-water over directing customers to their reselling agent, TicketsNow. Last week the Bruce Springsteen camp wrote an angry letter to Ticketmaster and forced them to stop the practice when dealing with his concerts.
Ticketmaster are yet to respond to the new lawsuit.
According to Billboard.biz Henry Krajewski, a resident of Toronto, is suing the ticket giant after their official site directed him to their ticket reseller site, TicketsNow, where he purchased two tickets to a Smashing Pumpkins concert at a price well above their face value. Two tickets with a face value of C$66.50 cost him a total of C$533.65. In three provinces of Canada,
Ontario included, reselling tickets above face value is illegal and the lawsuit filed says that Krajewski is claiming damages based on Ticketmaster's expected revenue during the time it will likely take the case to makes its way through the courts.
It is the second time in a week that Ticketmaster has landed in hot-water over directing customers to their reselling agent, TicketsNow. Last week the Bruce Springsteen camp wrote an angry letter to Ticketmaster and forced them to stop the practice when dealing with his concerts.
Ticketmaster are yet to respond to the new lawsuit.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Buffalo Springfield Drummer Dies
6th February 2009
Dewey Martin, drummer with Buffalo Springfield, has passed away aged 68.
Martin was one of the founding members of the influential folk rockers, and he appeared on all three of their albums. As well as drumming on all of their songs you can hear Martin’s backing vocals on Springfield’s seminal ‘For What It’s Worth.’ He also regularly sang lead vocals on several covers during live shows and appears on lead vocals on ‘Good Time Boy’ on the band’s classic Buffalo Springfield Again album.
Canadian born Martin (born Walter Milton Dwayne Midkiff) moved to the US in the early 60s where he plied a trade as a jobbing drummer in Nashville, working with many of country music’s greats including Carl Perkins, The Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline, Charlie Rich, Faron Young and Roy Orbison.
He played in numerous bands around the mid-west before relocating to LA. After leaving The Dillards in 1966 Martin was advised to contact a group of musicians who were looking for a drummer. A week later Martin joined Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Bruce Palmer to become Buffalo Springfield.
After the band disbanded in 1968 Martin immediately formed the New Buffalo Springfield, but lawsuits from Stephen Stills and Neil Young quickly put a stop to the new incarnation.
After recording two solo singles and one album with a new band Medicine Ball in 1970, Martin temporarily retired from music. He re-emerged in the 80s, though, with former Springfield bassist Bruce Palmer as Buffalo Springfield Revisited (and later Buffalo Springfield Again) and they toured with some success all the way into the 90s.
In recent years Martin was apparently developing a new type of drum head.
However, on 31 January Martin’s roommate found him dead, the LA Times reports. He was 68.
In his autobiography, Neil Young paid tribute to Martin’s natural musical sensitivity. "You get harder, he hits harder. You pull back, he hits back. He can feel the music -- you don't have to tell him."
Dewey Martin, 1940 - 2009
Dewey Martin, drummer with Buffalo Springfield, has passed away aged 68.
Martin was one of the founding members of the influential folk rockers, and he appeared on all three of their albums. As well as drumming on all of their songs you can hear Martin’s backing vocals on Springfield’s seminal ‘For What It’s Worth.’ He also regularly sang lead vocals on several covers during live shows and appears on lead vocals on ‘Good Time Boy’ on the band’s classic Buffalo Springfield Again album.
Canadian born Martin (born Walter Milton Dwayne Midkiff) moved to the US in the early 60s where he plied a trade as a jobbing drummer in Nashville, working with many of country music’s greats including Carl Perkins, The Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline, Charlie Rich, Faron Young and Roy Orbison.
He played in numerous bands around the mid-west before relocating to LA. After leaving The Dillards in 1966 Martin was advised to contact a group of musicians who were looking for a drummer. A week later Martin joined Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Bruce Palmer to become Buffalo Springfield.
After the band disbanded in 1968 Martin immediately formed the New Buffalo Springfield, but lawsuits from Stephen Stills and Neil Young quickly put a stop to the new incarnation.
After recording two solo singles and one album with a new band Medicine Ball in 1970, Martin temporarily retired from music. He re-emerged in the 80s, though, with former Springfield bassist Bruce Palmer as Buffalo Springfield Revisited (and later Buffalo Springfield Again) and they toured with some success all the way into the 90s.
In recent years Martin was apparently developing a new type of drum head.
However, on 31 January Martin’s roommate found him dead, the LA Times reports. He was 68.
In his autobiography, Neil Young paid tribute to Martin’s natural musical sensitivity. "You get harder, he hits harder. You pull back, he hits back. He can feel the music -- you don't have to tell him."
Dewey Martin, 1940 - 2009
Van Halen To Record Again?
3rd February 2009
planetrock
Eddie Van Halen wants his band – Dave Lee Roth included - to record another album.
The iconic guitarist revealed in an interview with Spinner.com that he wants the current line-up of the band to set about recording a new album.
"Dave, Wolfie, Alex and I are a band," he tells said. "I hope that after Janie and I get married, and Wolfie graduates, that we sit down and discuss recording new music, which I have tons of. If Dave's up for singing ... then do another tour, and just see where it takes us. Actually,next week or the week after Wolfie, Alex, and I are gonna start jamming. Maybe we'll give Dave a call and see what he's up to. He's off, always doing his own thing, and he checks in every now and then to see how we're doing."
If the new album does emerge it will be the band’s first studio album since 1998’s Van Halen III, and their first with Dave Lee Roth since 1984.
planetrock
Eddie Van Halen wants his band – Dave Lee Roth included - to record another album.
The iconic guitarist revealed in an interview with Spinner.com that he wants the current line-up of the band to set about recording a new album.
"Dave, Wolfie, Alex and I are a band," he tells said. "I hope that after Janie and I get married, and Wolfie graduates, that we sit down and discuss recording new music, which I have tons of. If Dave's up for singing ... then do another tour, and just see where it takes us. Actually,next week or the week after Wolfie, Alex, and I are gonna start jamming. Maybe we'll give Dave a call and see what he's up to. He's off, always doing his own thing, and he checks in every now and then to see how we're doing."
If the new album does emerge it will be the band’s first studio album since 1998’s Van Halen III, and their first with Dave Lee Roth since 1984.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
U2 to buy London studio?
U2
are reportedly set to buy the legendary London studio where they recorded the final sessions for their new album No Line On The Horizon
.
U2 - Beautiful Day:
are reportedly set to buy the legendary London studio where they recorded the final sessions for their new album No Line On The Horizon.
The band began recording the new LP in February, working out of their own studio in Dublin with stints in both the south of France and New York.
The band wrapped up the album by spending several weeks in London's Olympic Studios, which was recently put on the market by record label EMI.
The building is part of rock history with artists including Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones
And now U2 are said to be preparing to put an offer in for the studio, to give them a base while they are in the UK and to save the venue from developers.
A source tells The Sun, "They knuckled down and really responded well to the place’s atmosphere. They already have their own studios in Dublin but feel that Olympic could be a very wise investment.
“They’re totting up some figures at the moment. If the maths works out there’s every chance they’ll put an offer in.”
U2 - Beautiful Day:
Bruce Springsteen still has a dream
Bruce Springsteen still has a dream. He drops his latest, 'Working On a Dream
,' this week. Other releases include Glasgow-based rockers Franz Ferdinand release Tonight
and former TLC member Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes.
,' this week. Other releases include Glasgow-based rockers Franz Ferdinand release Tonight and former TLC member Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes.Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Guitar Hero World Tour To Get Free Bruce Springsteen DLC
Activision has just announced that Guitar Hero World Tour will be getting new free DLC for all major platforms.
Guitar Hero World Tour is scheduled to receive free DLC from the ”The Boss” himself, to celebrate his upcoming “Working On A Dream” album, Bruce Springsteen is going to offer two tracks (My Lucky Day and Born To Run) for free between January 27th and February 4th, after which they’ll be available as singles on XBL, PSN and the Wii Shop channel.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Zeppelin inspire U2
The new U2 album has been inspired by Led Zeppelin and Jack White, the band have revealed.
"No Line On The Horizon" is due for release in March, five years since its predecessor, "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb", came out.
The Edge says hooking-up with Jimmy Page and The White Stripes' leader for a recent rock documentary had rubbed-off on his guitar work.
"I was just fascinated with seeing how Jimmy played those riffs so simply, and with Jack as well", he explained.
Meanwhile, singer Bono has revealed that much of the album attempts to address the current global climate and capture "the world at the window".
"No Line On The Horizon" is due out on March 2.
Guitar Hero 4: World Tour Drum Trailer
"No Line On The Horizon" is due for release in March, five years since its predecessor, "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb", came out.
The Edge says hooking-up with Jimmy Page and The White Stripes' leader for a recent rock documentary had rubbed-off on his guitar work.
"I was just fascinated with seeing how Jimmy played those riffs so simply, and with Jack as well", he explained.
Meanwhile, singer Bono has revealed that much of the album attempts to address the current global climate and capture "the world at the window".
"No Line On The Horizon" is due out on March 2.
Guitar Hero 4: World Tour Drum Trailer
Led Zeppelin are over
Plans for Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones to hit the road as Led Zeppelin in 2009 have been scrapped - because the rockers can't find a singer to replace Robert Plant.
Just a day after Peter Mensch, a spokesman for Page's management firm, defended the rock duo's plans to tour without their famous frontman, he is now attempting to end the speculation about a semi-reunion by telling Music Radar Led Zeppelin is "completely over”.
Mensch says, "Led Zeppelin are over! If you didn’t see them in 2007, you missed them. It’s done. I can’t be any clearer than that... There are absolutely no plans for them to continue. Zero. Frankly, I wish everybody would stop talking about it.”
Page and Jones were hoping to follow up a reunion show they performed in London at the end of 2007 with new shows, but Plant, who has since found success with musical partner Alison Krauss, had no interest in touring with his former bandmates.
And, despite reports Alter Bridge star Myles Kennedy had been drafted in to replace Plant, Mensch insists all reunion plans have been scrapped.
He reveals the band auditioned singers but "no one worked out”.
Guitar Hero Metallica Reveal Trailer
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Stooges guitarist dies
Ron Asheton, founding member of The Stooges, has died, it has been announced.
According to reports, the original guitarist in the seminal Detroit rock act suffered a heart attack.
He was found at his home in Ann Arbor on Monday evening, with local police speculating his body may have lain undiscovered for a few days.
An autopsy has not yet taken place although there is no suggestion of foul play, Detective Sgt Jim Stephenson told local reporters.
Asheton formed The Stooges with brother Scott, Dave Alexander and Iggy Pop in 1967, with the band going on to become amongst rock's most influential acts.
They reformed in 2003 and were amongst the nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
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According to reports, the original guitarist in the seminal Detroit rock act suffered a heart attack.
He was found at his home in Ann Arbor on Monday evening, with local police speculating his body may have lain undiscovered for a few days.
An autopsy has not yet taken place although there is no suggestion of foul play, Detective Sgt Jim Stephenson told local reporters.
Asheton formed The Stooges with brother Scott, Dave Alexander and Iggy Pop in 1967, with the band going on to become amongst rock's most influential acts.
They reformed in 2003 and were amongst the nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
iPhones, Blackberry all cellphones
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Wii,Xbox360,Guitar Hero III
The VideoGames Finder
Gabriel: 'Full Genesis reunion is still possible'
Peter Gabriel has fuelled reports of a full Genesis reunion after telling a music magazine he has "no real objection" to touring with his former bandmates.
Gabriel insists other commitments forced him to step back from a 2007 Genesis reunion, which became a 20-city world tour, but he remains interested in a get together.
The Sledgehammer hitmaker tells Mojo magazine, "In principle I have no real objection to playing with Genesis at some point in the future."
If he does take part in a reunion, it will be the first time he has officially performed with his bandmates since he quit the group in the mid-1970s.
Genesis - I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
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Is Led Zep tour on
Led Zeppelin will tour without Robert Plant, Jimmy Page's manager has revealed.
The rock legends have been at the centre of constant press speculation in recent months, after their celebrated one-off comeback at the O2 Arena in 2007.
It has now been confirmed that Page, John Paul Johns and Jason Bonham are prepared to go out on the road without their founding singer.
Peter Mensch said the band were ready for the "long and difficult process" of finding a new frontman.
"Jimmy Page has been playing guitar professionally since he was 16 years old", he told the BBC.
"Jimmy Page likes being a musician. That's what he does! He doesn't want to be a race car driver or a solicitor.
"John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page enjoy playing with each other, Jason Bonham is a really good drummer so why not? We just need to find a singer", said Mensch.
Led Zeppelin Rock n Roll 1973
The rock legends have been at the centre of constant press speculation in recent months, after their celebrated one-off comeback at the O2 Arena in 2007.
It has now been confirmed that Page, John Paul Johns and Jason Bonham are prepared to go out on the road without their founding singer.
Peter Mensch said the band were ready for the "long and difficult process" of finding a new frontman.
"Jimmy Page has been playing guitar professionally since he was 16 years old", he told the BBC.
"Jimmy Page likes being a musician. That's what he does! He doesn't want to be a race car driver or a solicitor.
"John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page enjoy playing with each other, Jason Bonham is a really good drummer so why not? We just need to find a singer", said Mensch.
Led Zeppelin Rock n Roll 1973
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard
The Wheel Reinvented.
The MacBook Wheel, a revolutionary new laptop that does away with the keyboard. They say
dont reinvent the wheel so why has Apple Reinvented it
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The MacBook Wheel, a revolutionary new laptop that does away with the keyboard. They say
dont reinvent the wheel so why has Apple Reinvented it
Find The Latest iPhones
The VideoGames Finder
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Apple to sell copy protection-free songs
Apple has agreed to start selling digital songs without copy protection software from its iTunes store along with over-the-air download songs for its popular iPhone, according to people familiar with its plans.
The maker of the iPod is also set to announce a deal to roll out variable pricing on digital songs at the iTunes Music Store with songs priced between 79 cents (53 pence) and $1.29.
Apple is expected to announce the changes at the Macworld Expo trade show in San Francisco later on Tuesday.
Copy protection software, also known as digital rights management or DRM, has proved a controversial topic with music fans and record labels alike.
DRM was designed to prevent fans from illegally sharing digital downloads on file-sharing services. But it also prevented many fans from moving their own songs between devices and became increasingly unpopular.
Apple's founder, Steve Jobs, publicly called on major record labels to drop DRM in February 2007.
In exchange, labels have been asking that iTunes agree to sell songs at variable prices. Currently, iTunes sells all individual songs at 99 cents regardless of their popularity or date of release, unlike most other retail outlets.
Apple is also expected to announce details to allow iPhone 3G and iPod Touch Wifi users to buy songs while on the go, over the air through its popular App Store.
(Reporting by Yinka Adegoke, editing by Matthew Lewis)
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Music powers mobile evolution
At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona LG Electronics announced it will start to sell mobile phones in few months time giving consumers full access to free music via Omnifone's MusicStation download service. LG's first full-access music phone is set to hit the market months ahead of a similar offering from the world's top cellphone maker Nokia, which unveiled its plan to start selling phones with free music access in December last year. Such unlimited download models could offer a shot in the arm to the music industry, which is struggling to find ways to make up for falling CD sales -- something that pay-per-track online stores like Apple's iTunes have so far failed to do. Reuters European Technology Correspondent Matt Cowan reports from Barcelona.
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