The New Apps Layout in iTunes

While saving some money on pizzas, (it'll make sense in our next post) we noticed the re-formatting of the individual app pages within the app store. While most of the changes are minor, like a larger icon for the app, and a changed placement of contact and support info to the top, the least aesthetically pleasing change to these eyes is the revamped screenshot area.

Previously, each screenshot was presented individually, with a click to move left or right through four screenshots. Now those screenshots appear with a scroll bar, generally with a picture and a half shown by default. Half a picture on screen isn't the kind of design decision we're used to from Apple. Also worth noting the whole thing feels more webpage-like. Is that a coincidence given talk of iTunes going to the web?

Have thoughts on the new layout? Let us know in the comments.

Macgirl's Media Pick of the Week: Holiday Picks: Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby is my favorite Christmas-time crooner.  My father and I would spin his Christmas record each year as we pulled out the decorations and checked the tree lights. 

Then, on Christmas eve or so, we would find White Christmas on TV and watch one of my favorite holiday movies.

iTunes Web Strategy: One Store To Rule Them All

When Apple acquired Lala last week, it looked certain that it was either to start a subscription component of iTunes, or to pick up some smart people with smart ideas.

Maybe, Apple's about to zig when you expect them to zag: Maybe iTunes, and more importantly, a future iTunes with books and magazines for a different device, is going to the web to be more... compatible.

The publishing world is already rallying around a few emerging e-publishing file standards, and it doesn't look like Apple will be able to barge in with a competing format. So why not open iTunes on the web, and start using the industry's format? It's a win-win for Apple: they appease publishers by "caving" to their format requirements, while also creating a store that can sell content to the occasional Kindle or Nook owner in addition to Apple tablet owners.

Disney, who, as you probably know, has a single biggest shareholder by the name of Steve Jobs, has been discussing a concept called Key Chest, which would allow you to buy media once, and watch it anywhere digitally. How can you do that if the media you purchase is locked inside the walls of iTunes? Simply make iTunes content accessible to a myriad of devices. I realize how out of character it would seem, but we could very well see Apple open API's to developers, and give the manufacturer of any device the tools necessary to allow playback of iTunes content. While Apple is tight-lipped on earnings from the App Store and iTunes, I think it's safe to say we're past the "just above break even" point Apple still claimed in June 2008. And hey, you might as well make a few bucks from the people who choose to buy a non-Apple device by making the store web-accessible, and content easily playable on a ton of devices.

Macgirl Media Pick of the Week: Holiday Picks: A Very Special Christmas

A Very Special Christmas was created as a charity fundraiser for the Special Oylmpics in 1987. It features such heavyweights as U2 (Christmas(Baby, Please Come Home)) and Run DMC (Christmas in Hollis).  There have been five sequals to this gem, but the first is by far the best.

I can remember listening to this album (on a shiney new CD!) in the late 80's and feeling so cool.  Maybe I was cool because all 12-year-olds think they are sooo cool.  Or maybe, it was the cool music.  This is still the best Christmas album created during my lifetime.  The songs still hold up, I still get weepy listening to Stevie Nicks singing Silent Night, and I still feel cool listening to it.  Well, about as cool as a 12 year old can feel...

If you don't own this album, definately check it out.  Here's a link to it on iTunes, or you can order the CD from Amazon here.  Or, ask your big brother or sister to borrow it.  I'm SURE they still have a copy...I still have mine!

Macgirl's Media Pick of the Week: Star Blazers!

I was a bit of a nerd as a child.  Preferred my LEGOs and tinker toys (shaped into super-cool lazer ray guns of course).  I had one main TV obsession as a six-year old.  And that obsession was space-themed anime.  From the Wiki:  Star Blazers is an American animated TV series adapted from a Japanese sci-fi trilogy anime series called Space Battleship Yamato I, II and III.

Star Blazers ran from 1979-1980 in the US. There's so much to this short-lived series.  It had, gulp, adult themes!  There was flirting!  There were sexy girls and lots of loud people yelling "Look-out!" and fighting. The epic space ship battles were my favorite part of the show.  I so super duper loved this series.  I bought the whole thing on VHS tape the second I could, quite a few (15!?) years ago.  It's finally available in digital form, on iTunes. 

My favorite memory of watching Star Blazers is of turning my Dad's recliner into a "spaceship", with rocket launchers and laser guns, fighting my next-door neighbor as he piloted the couch.  Pew-pew-pew!   We'd re-enact the whole episode we just watched, adding new drama and lots of fighting.  I'd love to hear your Star Blazers memories...add a comment below!