Stan's List

NBC, who led the iTune Store sales of TV programs to the tune of 40%, has announced they will not renew the contract. Apple has responded by cancelling the new season. Apple claims the price would be $4.99, more than double. NBC is saying they want to offer a variety of packages presumably for the increased price. More …

Apple is not flexible? When did any of them offer parts or the whole? There are but a few albums that are classics. Normally, I want 2 to 4 songs off a given album, sometimes only one, because the rest were included to fill the album. That is flexibility. Stores offer bundles of stuff they think or know you want, with stuff you may want, because its at a price less than the two of them. The difference in the price for what you wanted, and what you paid, is the profit for what they could not sell. They are happy.

According to SFGate, Earthlink has backed out of contract negotiations to blanket the city with free Wi-Fi, citing money problems. From the article:

Also this week the Chicago Tribune reported that a proposed plan for municipal wi-fi in Chicago has fallen apart. EarthLink and AT&T Inc. submitted proposals to the city, but after months of negotiations the parties were unable to reach agreement. More …

Not much is being said about it. A few comments from each founder. The public comments mainly think both will disappear in a orginization that is PC centered., bashing Apple often. More …

This update is said to offer the following:

The AirPort Extreme Base Station with 802.11n and Firmware 7.2.1 is Wi-Fi certified for 802.11n draft 2.0. This update also includes bug fixes and security updates. Via Software Update or direct download

Businessweek looks at whether AT&T or Apple can prohibit unlocking, or once unlocked resold? The article gives the for and against arguments, but leans toward the view that the hackers may have the law on their side. More …

With this brief what’s new: This update to iPhoto addresses issues associated with publishing to. Mac Web Gallery, rebuilding thumbnails, and editing books. It also addresses a number of other minor issues. Via Software Update or direct download.

A report by Ars Technica claims that Apple will hold an iPod-specific media event on Sept 5th.

According AppleInsider, iPods to be announced Sept.5th will include an iPod version of Mac OS X, likely similar to the iPod interface in the iPhone.

This updated version of RealPlayer 10 for Mac OS X is recommended for all users. It contains all prior security updates and is a Universal Binary, supporting all current Macs. 10.1.0.481 offers the following:

• TurboPlay—Practically eliminates buffering over high- speed connections so your clips start faster and play smoother
• RealVideo 9: Dramatically improved compression delivers better quality at every bandwidth.

Download page.

MacScoop and Think Secret report Leopard should be going final candidate after developers report back to Apple about the recent build 9A527. Perhaps one other build to address any concerns.

Further evidence is from AppleInsider who reports on the narrowing focus of Leopard development—Parental Controls, Time Machine, DVD Installations, Network Connectivity, Printing, FileVault, Mail, iChat, iCal, .Mac Synching, and Spotlight. These sources are evidence of a flurry of activity as Apple begins final preparations for Leopard’s release in October.

YouTube has presumed unauthorized video of the welcome movie and Time Machine , considered the most exciting new feature in Leopard.

Apple states this update addresses issues associated with publishing to .Mac Web Gallery. It also improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues. Downloadable via Software Update or stand alone.

Note: after the update the version of iMove will be 7.0.1, not 8.0.1