Apple may be shutting down iTunes if they are forced to pay higher royalties to artists.

Nine Inch Nails will be releasing their own iPhone application.

Apple has announced an updated lineup of iPods. So far, a $250 120GB iPod Classic and restyled iPod Nano ($149 for 8GB, $199 for 16GB), and a thinner iPod Touch with integrated speaker (8GB, $229, 16GB for $299, and a 32GB for $399) have been revealed.

Not quite as cool as the animated red gem in the I Am Rich app, but Paste has a rundown of the 8 best music-related apps for the iPhone.

Within its first 24 hours of being on sale in the iPhone app store, 8 people bought a program called "I Am Rich" for $1000. The best part? The application does absolutely nothing except display an animated red gem.

Apple has announced the new iteration of the iPhone with 3G data and built-in GPS. Apple has been able to bring the price down as well - $199 for the 8GB and $299 for the 16GB.

Will iPods and the Blackberry change history? Listen to a discussion here.

Apple has passed Wal-Mart in music sales, and is now the #1 music retailer in the US.

Apple is purportedly in talks with the major record labels about allowing consumers unlimited access to their libraries through iTunes. Read a short article about it here or in the replies.

Submitted by wtfmates

Have iPods ushered in a new era of crime and theft?

AdAge.com has posted an article about how bands are increasingly needing to utilize branding as a way to sustain their careers, including NASCAR-style advertising. Read it here.

From the Article

"If the artist is 'next to' the [Nascar] demographic, yeah, [Nascar sponsorships] might make sense," Lawrence said. "It's not the most cost-effective way to sell records, but it's a way." Still, he said, bands will have to get used to embracing brands. "Artists have to start thinking about exposing themselves, because the big record companies aren't as apt to give away marketing dollars."

Find all of the details about the new iPhone software update here. The main parts are AIM, more games, and enterprise email/calendar/contact support ("push" type), and many other apps being developed.

Four years ago, Pepsi ran a campaign that gave away 100 million songs through iTunes, helping to launch the digital music service into the limelight. Now, the Pepsi campaign is back, except this time, Amazon's MP3 Store will play distributor. The switch shows the industry's growing dissatisfaction with Apple.

Rumors are circulating around that Jay-Z and Apple may be starting a record label together. Read about the possible deal here and here.

Submitted by sh!twolf

Apple has reduced the price of their DRM-free tracks to $0.99, the same price as tracks with DRM.

Submitted by rhinitus

Read a head-to-head comparison between Amazon MP3 and Apple's iTunes Music Store right here.

If you bought an iPhone before yesterday's announced price cut, fear not. Apple is giving you a $100 gift certificate.

Haystack.com and Killswitch Engage are giving away a free iPhone; all details can be found here.

Apple has announced a refresh of the entire line of iPods.

A look at the invite to the Apple event on September 5th makes it look like new iPods are coming down the pipe. Touchscreen, anyone?

Apple is retail testing album and artist-specific iTunes gift cards.

Submitted by SJms1026

A group of adventurous hackers has unlocked the iPhone to allow it to be used on other networks besides AT&T's.

PlayRadioPlay! will be performing a free in-store show at the Apple Store in New York City tonight at 6PM. More information can be seen in the replies.

According to a leaked patent application, Apple has begun working on a Zune-like "wireless" version of the iPod; the new device will allow users to browse the catalogs of nearby devices and allow said users to purchase tracks directly from their iPod without ever having to sync up to a computer.

Apple may be looking into releasing a limited-edition Yellow Submarine, Beatles iPod, which would come pre-loaded with the band's entire catalogue.

Submitted By: Candy_Warhol

Some people are speculating that Apple will be releasing a cheaper, perhaps Nano-based iPhone.

Apple is starting to sell whole albums for $5.99 and $6.99 on iTunes.

Apple's iPhone hit stores today. Did anyone pick one up? If so, what are your thoughts?

Apple has launched the new Safari browser for Windows and Mac.

The iPhone will be going live on June 29th, according to new ads on the Apple website.

Read Apple CEO Steve Job's thoughts on DRM and the music industry. Excellent read about the four big labels, why iTunes is not really a closed-environment, and how Apple would be happy to eliminate DRM.

Submitted By: Corporate Canvas

There seems to be compatibility issues between iTunes and Windows Vista.

Submitted By: pinklipgloss

iPhone and Apple TV have been unveiled.

According to Nielsen Soundscan reports, the digital downloading industry as a whole is steadily declining.

"Speculation over whether Apple is preparing to launch an iPod phone all but ended on Thursday after a patent application revealed that the computer group is working on a device that will combine a "media player" with a mobile phone."

Miss the recent Sparta acoustic show at the Apple Store in San Francisco? Check out photos from the event attached in the replies.

Live in or around the Bay Area, California? Want to see Sparta play a free set? Head over to the Apple Store, San Francisco this Wednesday, November 9th at 12:30 PM. Details and directions can be found here.

Some e-mails between Tony Brummel of Victory Records and Steve Jobs of Apple have leaked. Read those below.

Tony Brummel And Steve Jobs E-mails

On Apr 12, 2006, at 4:28 PM, ----@victoryrecords.com: ----@victoryrecords.com wrote:
Steve,
I doubt that this will reach you but I figured I'd give it a shot.
As a fellow entrepreneur I find it quite strange how your "music" people have treated my company. I am not like the guys at the major record labels. I am a self-made entrepreneur. My counterparts are ultimately employees that do not have the flexibility or ability to operate with real creativity in an industry that requires such.
Victory Records is a lifestyle company and a brand that...

Owners of recent iPods will now be able to set how loud their digital music players can go. Apple Computer Inc. made the setting available as part of a software update Wednesday. The free download applies to the new iPod Nano and the iPod models with video capabilities. Parents can also use the feature to set a limit on their child's iPod and lock it with a code, the company added. Earlier this year, a Louisiana man filed a lawsuit against Apple, claiming that the iPod can cause hearing loss. The Devices can produce more than 115 decibels, a volume that can damage the hearing of a person exposed to the sound for more than 28 seconds per day, according to the complaint. The iPod's...

To start, I am one of Apple's biggest supporters. I hate Windows, PCs, Bill Gates, etc. However, the way I was just treated by their customer service is appauling. I called with a simple question about how to get rid of something they added to the new version of iTunes, the Music Store being a part of your main library (for anyone else who is wondering, just click the box on the bottom right that looks like a square with a triangle in it). Apparently for me to get a question answered about their FREE sortware, it will cost me $49. Regardless of the fact that I've spent close to $3,000 with them over the past year. Apple needs to watch out with the way they treat their customers, they're...

Minus The Bear will be heading out on a Spring tour with The Appleseed Cast, Rocky Votolato, and Crystal Skulls.