AppleInsider StaffFor their part in the ongoing iTunes license re-negotiations, record labels are pushing for new digital sales bundles. Meanwhile, one iPod game developer has announced plans to deliver at least 4 new games for the Apple media players. And Microsoft says its finally squashed iPod corruption issues with Vista.
According to the BaltimoreSun, at least two recording companies are planning to ask Apple chief executive Steve Jobs to sell a wider variety of content in digital bundles of songs, videos and other multimedia.
The paper, which cited two recording company executives familiar with their companies' plans, notes that the major record labels had each agreed to one-year deals that expire this spring.
Apple already sells some bundled tracks, but the labels hope expanding those offerings will boost online revenue and help offset lagging CD sales.
Four new iPod games on the way
Meanwhile, Electronic Arts confirmed last night that "The Sims" will appear as a game for iPods in the coming weeks.
During a quarterly conference call, the games publisher said it's wrapping up plans to release four new iPod games, along with a bevy of titles for mobile phones.
"From EA studios, we plan to release roughly 35 titles and 120 SKUs," executives said during the call. "EA Mobile plans to release 30 to 35 games on mobile handsets and four games on the iPod."
The publisher confirmed that one of the new iPod titles will include the popular Sims Bowling game.
Microsoft Patches Vista iPod Corruption
Microsoft said Tuesday that it has been working closely with Apple to ensure a great experience in using Windows Vista with iTunes and the iPod, and believes a new patch will do away with ongoing corruption issues.
"Today we're publishing at the Microsoft Download Center a recommended final compatibility update for users of Windows Vista and the Apple iPod; this same update will be automatically available via Windows Update on Tuesday 22 May," a Microsoft representative wrote on the Windows Vista Blog.
The release is intended for users worldwide and works with the latest version of Apple iTunes to correct an issue that caused some iPods to become corrupted when ejecting them using Windows Explorer or the "Safely Remove Hardware" function in the System Tray.
Both companies recommend the update for Vista users.
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Andrew O'Hara
19 Comments
The third story has the same title as the second...
Glad to hear EA is making new gmes; more time will be wasted!
Hey the header got repeated:"Four new iPod games on the way
Microsoft said Tuesda"
Go ahead and delete this comment if you want.
Enjoying this site even as Apple becomes more mainstream!
how in the world would you play the sims on an ipod?
Yeah, AppleInsider you really need to start proofreading. This is pathetic.
You should also group the Sims and Bowling games together in the paragraph.
-=|Mgkwho
Oh those silly music execs! The beauty part of digital music downloads is that you get to buy only the songs you want, not a bunch of "side B" crap packed onto a CD album. Here they go again, trying to maximize profits by forcing you to pay more to get what you don't want.