Walter Isaacson: Apple purchase Beats for enhancing the TV

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Much has been said about the possible purchase of Beats Electronics from Apple, which should be confirmed along this week: that if they do it for the music subscription service, that if the talent and skills of Jimmy Iovine..., but the author of the official biography of Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson thinks it's something else: television.

Podcasts for iOS also updated with enhancements like integration with Siri

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Said and done. Linking with the release of iTunes 11.2 and improvements in exploring podcasts, Apple has also updated Podcasts, independent app for iOS, adding these and other exciting new features such as integration with Siri Support or CarPlay to access our subscriptions from the screen of a brand new Ferrari FF, for example. 

Reproduction of podcasts joins the long list of things we can ask Siri. Just say something like "play podcasts" or directly specified which you want to begin to listen and listen to music.

The settings of the app have also received a necessary restructuring that makes it easier to understand how they work options that previously existed like to automatically delete episodes once played. In general, everything is a little easier now also combining this useful function to optimize our storage with the option to save our favorite episodes.

Ah! I almost forgot. Do you want to share a particular podcast with a friend? Go to their description or slides down their list of episodes to find the Share button. Now you can pass a link to your favorite podcasts via AirDrop.

iTunes exclusive music again: 'Ghost Stories' by Coldplay a week before

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Although iTunes is one of the largest stores in the world as far as music is concerned, does not usually make too many acts around her. Late last year Beyoncé was the surprise publishing its album on iTunes now Coldplay which points to the iTunes exclusive, by providing all his latest album 'Ghost Stories' a week before its release. 

The new album is available for listening via this link. In it we can hear the whole album streaming accompanied by a video directed by Alasdair and Jock with illustrations by Mila Fürstová.

This exclusive publication is different by Beyoncé. The American singer released the album on iTunes by surprise and with little publicity, the opposite of what it has done as Coldplay lead announcing this new work a few weeks. A Beyoncé experiment it worked very well.

Does it will be the same to Coldplay? Hard to say now, while I enjoy playing a new album of this great group.

Why Shazam, Siri and iTunes Beats could return to it throne

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Now that the alleged purchase transaction Beats by Apple comes in, an idea I had in mind is strengthened. I think Apple is preparing a very important to retrieve the status of champion of the music that has always had thrust. It is a theory. Has little evidence to support it and some of them are confirmed rumors that could almost as surely we could discard. But I find it interesting to share. 

Last month, Bloomberg uncorked a story that reads as follows:

"The company [Apple] are planning a song recognition functionality in an update to iOS, its mobile operating system, which would allow users to identify a song and artist using an iPhone or iPad".

For this new feature, Apple would partner with Shazam and we should expect to see these new features in iOS 8. Last year Shazam updated the application, and added a feature that to label the permanent listening songs. Even if you close the app on the iPad, Shazam will listen in the background. Shazam is also able to identify the series that we are seeing in these times just by the sound. Interesting. 

Siri and Beats come into play

"Hard to believe in coincidences, but is even harder to believe in anything else" - John Green, writer.

Do you know what would be cool? You always have to tell you when to listen. Siri would be much more useful if we could activate it with a simple "Siri, tell me what the weather today in San Francisco" without having to press a button. A voice activation as currently enjoyed by users of a Moto X. 

Shazam integration in iOS 8 can be start with "preventive" identifying songs in an integrated manner. This functionality is built into the independent music or rumored iTunes Music app. But I am convinced that this partnership with Shazam is not a coincidence and that will give rise to in the future further integrated into the system with Siri. Apple is testing the water with his toe to check the temperature before diving into the pool, there is more to look at Touch ID and its inevitable expansion to pay with the iPhone.

"There's an ocean of music out there. And there's absolutely no curation for it" - Jimmy Lovine, CEO of Beats.

On Friday we saw how Apple made ​​history by breaking his record of acquisitions with Beats Electronics and discussed what could be making the rapper and producer Dr. Dre's company in California. Little mentioned streaming service Beats Music has many ballots to fill the gap that Apple has left its musical offer unbelievable. 

There is something beyond headphones and Beats streaming

Sell ​​one company to another is often motivated not only by money but also by the promise to enhance, accelerate and enlarge the products the company already had in mind. I think the healing music that was mentioned Lovine was in the Beats's plans but lacked something to carry it out. To suggest appropriate songs requires a scale and a user base that only has iTunes today. More than 800 million accounts, most of them with a credit card entered.

Shazam could be a part of the puzzle to help Siri to offer music recommendations: 

-Siri, play some music that I like. -Based on the latest songs you've tagged, this is a very good selection. Playing music.

Apple needs to change a market that had won on merit. It is high time to reclaim what is theirs again, will see if the alliance with Shazam and buying Beats lead it in the right direction.

Rumor: Google Play Music for iPad

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For some time the rumor that Google Play Music going out for iPad is hovering all areas of news sites. Too long version of Google Play Music for iOS was released. They have discovered that the iPad app is "hidden" in the iPhone version.

As many users have been able to ascertain, the template interface designed specifically for iPad is included in the iPhone app since last update. To discover just have to change a parameter within the code. 

What does this discovery? We will have Google Play Music for iPad soon. The lack of ads could come by too much suspicion by Google to test more the interface, or must wait for wanting to announce this new product version. Each company has listings and developments in their own way.

Apple and Dr. Dre

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The Financial Times was the first to break the news and say that Apple is negotiating the purchase of Beats Electronics , which was quickly confirmed by sources of Bloomberg , Wall Street Journal and Re/ode. According to these publications, the deal would be watching next week confirmed and close the Apple 's largest acquisition to date , worth 3,200 million.

Immediately, everyone started asking what Apple sees the company founded by the famous rapper Dr. Dre and music producer Jimmy Iovine. Will the flashy music head? Will it streaming music service? What is missing from Apple and it is found in Beats Electronics? For some, it comes to acquiring a company whose profits and generous margins marry perfectly with the business of Apple, others interpret that Apple desperately needs something to patch the drop in music sales on iTunes.

The potential of Beats for Apple

When a company buys another, our part of the brain responsible for imagination takes flight. From buying Beats by Apple confirmed, would be bringing their hardware section:

• Headphones for music: Apple renewed the design of the headphones that come standard with the iPhone and iPod showing the EarPods at the launch of iPhone 5. Apple could exploit the technology and know-how to create Beats external headphone brand that Apple sold separately. 

• Speakers: Beats Pill is a portable speaker that works by bluetooth. Apple tried to enter this field with your iPod Hi-Fi but withdrew the product shortly. It was clear that this was not it thing.

• BeatAudio: few know that Beats has licensed this technology to car brands like Chrysler.  The Chrysler 300S features a premium sound kit technology company. Given that Apple is in full swing with it CarPlay not be strange if they had some kind of integration in mind and presence in our cars in the future. 

Then there is the software part, which has curiously been the least discussed in the beginning, but that seems to be gaining momentum. In Appleismo already talked Beats Music, yet another streaming service for iOS and OS X sucking a piece of cake. Although the business model of Spotify and company continue to generate many questions about its profitability, the fact is that it is removing presence iTunes and Apple does not have a streaming service itself. iTunes Radio and iTunes Match are two services that do not supply this lack in so Apple Beats Music can be very interesting to Cupertino.

Apple is negotiating the purchase of Beats Electronics according to Financial Times

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Apple is agreeing to buy Beats Electronics. The company popular headphones and other audio products that many know for the serie Beats by Dr. Dre. As reported by Financial Times, the deal would be announced next week. There may be details that are not yet closed and could make the talks between the two companies would stop. 

The news is definitely shocking because, unlike in the past, Apple is making a major acquisition in terms of price. $ 3.2 billion would be what it would pay for the purchase. So much money for headphones coloring the sound too much and are overrated?

Well if you think it is just for your headphones obviously yes. But there is an interesting detail. Beats Electronics launched its streaming music service Music Beats. And that may be the key. 

After a round of investment made by the company was valued at over a billion dollars. And although it seems that the numbers are not being as good as many expected, the fact is that Apple may have seen the opportunity to integrate it into iTunes and launch the much anticipated streaming music service that many desire.

In addition Beats Music, according to its creators, has more established rivals feature as Deezer, Rdio or Spotify mainly do not have. We look forward to confirming the purchase. And prepare for new EarPods-Apple-by Dr. Dre.

50 legendary album Metal and Hard Rock at a special price in the iTunes Store for a limited time

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Occasionally the Apple Store has this idea for we prefer the music a little more "hard". If you prefer to "Alice Cooper" instead of "Enrique Iglesias" or more you enjoy a good "Pantera" theme with the last of "Shakira" ... You're in luck. 

The Spanish iTunes store has now 50 legendary album Metal and Hard Rock available at a special price for a limited time. The truth is that entering a listing is a marvel. It's like when you ask a kid, "who want more ... A dad or mom?" The selection will be difficult.

"Alice Cooper" with Trash, "Pantera" and his Vulgar display of power, "Iron Maiden" with The number of the beast, "Black Sabbath", "Ozzy Osbourne"...It is a real parade of classics at your fingertips that can be part of a very special space on your iPod. Do not spend too long on, sure you will like.

Spotify, ready to beat iTunes in Europe

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The race to be the best digital music service seems to be changing position. Spotify, according to one of their representatives, would be gaining ground in Europe at the expense of the services offered by iTunes.

Spotify has added more than a million active users in the UK for the past four months. This move is part of its attempt to take control and gain ground on iTunes for the service of the European continent's largest digital music. The benefits of Spotify could have exceeded those of iTunes in Europe.

This was stated in a responsible Sportify in Business Insider recently also explains that the service is growing rapidly, much more than expected for your satisfaction. According to reports, downloads sales are declining in large numbers while Spotify is growing greatly throughout Europe and through iTunes, particularly in the UK. In addition, as indicated by the representative, a large part of the new users are also subscribers Spotify premium service.

Kevin Brown, the source of these claims Spotify has indicated that they do not see iTunes as a true competitor. "Actually," he explained, "the real danger is on Youtube." In addition, Brown has not hesitated to criticize the ability to keep out of Spotify to some artists who have had to date iTunes, although this has not been a real disadvantage, he says. These data come on the eve of an expected launch of iTunes Radio in other parts of the world, but do not know if it will be also for Europe and if this will affect this data.

Services Apple, unstoppables: iTunes already has 800 million user accounts

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Apple gave last night the results of its second fiscal quarter of 2014, and services company have staged a raise. iTunes, for example, already has 800 million user accounts. And most of them linked to a credit card. 

This is an increase of 225 million accounts in just one year, thanks to strong sales of iOS devices in Brazil or China. These accounts have been downloaded more than 70,000 million applications, accounting for 10% of total company revenue. Proceeds from purchases of other catalogs (iTunes Store, iBooks Store, etc.) amount to 4.573 million dollars.

Another statistic that reflects the sales of these devices, namely the iPad, is that your web traffic is four times the sum of all Android tablets. Needless to say, the potential of all these devices and all those iTunes accounts for future payment system: Tim Cook has already admitted that the TouchID iPhone 5S sensor was made with a view to that system, and this year we could see how to lead these plans before PayPal and Google Wallet rival. 

One last fact helps us to see the huge numbers of Apple: no operator having many credit cards among its customer base worldwide. As to not use it, right? It must be attentive to the event WWDC.

All ads of the iPod in one video

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A YouTube user has compiled in one video all this iPod's famous silhouettes dancing to the sound of music, one of the most iconic series of Apple ads.

If there's one thing that characterized the Apple iPod ads have been established in the collective memory and go on to become iconic. Who does not remember the famous iPod ads with the famous silhouette with Apple promoting her music player back in 2004? Right.

The truth is that Apple's ads spur interest in all kinds of users, especially as the company moves out of the same characteristics of products to teach users what they can really do with it.


For listings of iPod, the first with Apple flooded the world in the form of trade and posters could be seen on buses and billboards all over the world, ended up becoming one of the icons of a generation, generation iPod, which despite being a product that has gradually lost its glory by the logical evolution of technology, always have a place in the group. Therefore, the best way to remember this amazing music player is the best iPod ads with silhouettes that Apple wanted to show the world the possibilities of it.

Three iOS applications to begin Bikini's Operation (App 3)

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Free C25K, starting to run slowly

If you're not an athlete but want to start running, you can use a system is called C25K. It is a training system that will allow us to move from the couch to running 5 kilometers in half an hour followed by 9 weeks. Although there podcast devoted to it the Free C25K app is a great ally when you follow this training is based on running and walking during certain sections marked in time.



The application will be telling us when we have to heat, when to run and when to recover walking. Free C25K is perfectly suited to training, allowing us to select the training days in which we are. As added allow us to play our own music, choosing from lists that we created, the entire collection or random order. C25K Free is the free version is fully functional. Advertising within the application does not affect its operation.

Three iOS applications to begin Bikini's Operation (App 2)

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Nike + Running is the second leading application for running enthusiasts. Another form of exercise.

Nike + Running, for runners


If you are someone who pays attention to your shoes, do not miss a training day and dream of doing a marathon, Nike + Running is your application. Right now the implementation of the sneaker brand is one of the best to complement your daily runs. Besides being fully compatible with different devices, Nike + Running has everything to run an application must have: meter distance, speed, tour map, memory of our times and more.

If you are one of those who like to run with Nike + Running with music can put it without problems. In others, the application allows you to select multiple lists to ring at the right time career, ie, when we are in need of energy application will sound the songs that have more pace to give us the greatest possible encouragement.

iOS could integrate Shazam among its services

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Rumors have risen around iTunes, Siri and iOS 8: Is Apple preparing to integrate a similar service Shazam on your operating system? So say sources close to the project and have decided to remain anonymous.

Until recently talked about Siri is lagging behind in terms of performance, Apple is not willing to let this happen easily. According to the latest rumors (Bloomerang) the company would be willing to add some kind of service similar to Shazam on iOS, and it could be announced at WWDC 2014.

They claim in the publication, several sources related to the project (do not want to be identified) have discussed the existence of this function in development. This would of application being developed with the help of Shazam Entertainment's own, who is collaborating with technology stored in his company, to meet an interesting trade agreement between the two.

The function, as mentioned, could be presented at the next WWDC. The data suggest that this would come in Shazam on iOS iOS 8 and will not be available before. The integration of this function would be very similar to other services such as Twitter or Facebook, to maximize your comfort.

We know that Apple is one of the companies that invest more money in the music industry, not only in the development of platforms as powerful as iTunes but throughout the technology behind the algorithms of identification and labeling songs. This measure could serve as an additional feature and very interesting to Siri.