iTunes is no Beatles genius
[Posted by Dave Haber on Tuesday, 09/09/08 2:53 pm] [Permalink] [Full Blog] [Digg This]As I mentioned last Wednesday here on the Paperblog Writer, Apple made some big announcements today.
They announced a bunch of new iPods, but contrary to persistant rumors, still no Beatles on iTunes.
They also announced iTunes 8, who's big feature is "iTunes Genius", which is a playlist- and recommendation-generating sidebar/button combo that uses the combined power of the iTunes user base to make cohesive, nicely flowing mixes. But, unfortunately, like the lack of announcement of The Beatles on iTunes, this announcement is disappointing to Beatles fans as well.
According to an article in PC World, the new iTunes Genius function doesn't seem to work with Beatles tunes.
Putting in any Beatles song results in an error from iTunes, saying Genius is unavailable for that song. The guy from PC World tried three different Beatles songs, Dear Prudence, Eleanor Rigby and Come Together.
Apparently, it still may be some time before Apple Computers and Apple Records "Come Together."
(Information and image thanks to PC World.)
Will Apple confirm digital Beatles in 2009 at Tuesday event?
[Posted by Dave Haber on Wednesday, 09/03/08 11:48 am] [Permalink] [Full Blog] [Digg This] The cover of the October, 2008 issue of Mojo Magazine, now on newsstands, features an interview with Paul McCartney, and next to his picture it says, "My White Album" Plus! The Beatles Remastered". The article reveals that Mojo was invited to a playback of ten White Album tracks, and their verdict is "Better even than we'd hoped."
The Mojo article also says that all the Beatles albums, including Yellow Submarine, Magical Mystery Tour and the Past Masters albums, have been remastered, but not The Hollywood Bowl. Two albums, Rubber Soul and Revolver, will be available in three mixes, mono, original stereo and the 1987 stereo rebalances. No 5.1 mixes are planned for any of the albums.
According to Mojo, the expected release date for remastered Beatles albums is, off the record, sometime in 2009, and that Apple would rather get it right than try to cash in on Christmas sales.
Meanwhile, Apple (Computers) is holding a publicity event next Tuesday, Sept. 9 in San Francisco. The invitation to the event is titled "Let's Rock" and shows one of Apple's signature silhouetted people that are included in its iPod advertisements, so it's a good bet there will be news about new iPods.
But what if "Let's Rock" also refers to new music for iTunes? At one point, the Beatles on iTunes seemed likely to happen this year, and this year is quickly drawing to a close.
Back in November 2007, Paul McCartney told Billboard, "It's down to fine-tuning, but I'm pretty sure it'll be happening next year, 2008." With the release of "off the record" info by Mojo this week of remastered Beatles in 2009, is it possible we'll be hearing an "on the record" confirmation of this by Apple next Tuesday?
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