Katie Marsal
An unusual report late Sunday has multiple users claiming that Apple unintentionally, if briefly, posted a pre-release copy of iTunes 8.
Others claim to have noticed the download as well, but in most cases the file in question is said to have already disappeared.
If legitimate, what new features are in the software aren't being revealed: one user who claims to have successfully grabbed the update not only notes that the build appeared to be an unfinished release candidate but that he's concerned about repercussions.
"I’m not sure about the legality of releasing it to you guys yet," he explains. "I don’t want any trouble from Apple."
The alleged iTunes 8 download link before it disappeared from Apple's site.
And while multiple anecdotal claims support the existence of the build, the unnamed tipster is in a difficult position to say what's new: he appears to have held off on upgrading iTunes past version 6.0, which was first introduced nearly three years ago. Recent reports have supported iTunes 8.0's existence and assert that it will be one of Apple's larger upgrades, sporting both auto playlist creation as well as the possibility of HD downloads and other major feature additions.
Nonetheless, Apple is known in recent memory to have posted new software updates prematurely, including the discovery in July of an early iPhone 2.0 download a day before it became public. Any iTunes updates are most likely to appear at Tuesday's "Let's Rock" special music event.
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44 Comments
Actually, he would be fine releasing information, as it's apple's fault. I saw a case once when something very similar to this had happened. It was deemed a "public release", though it was in error. As long as he hasn't signed anything with Apple prohibiting his release of information, he can tell anything he likes.
Of course, he may not really have anything.
AI is on the ball tonight.
I have doubts about the tipster saying that he got a copy of it and jsut happened to update his 3 years old iTunes v6 tonight? What are the odds!
Putting a download button in the middle of an existing page and putting that online? That seems pretty sloppy.
I seriously doubt the "tipster" has anything. iTunes 6? Seriously? And he just happened to go to the iTunes page tonight? What are the odds?
EDIT: Solipsism, that's a little freaky.
Typical, couple day's before keynote, web posting "mistake". They've been doing it since the PowerMac G5 came out.
Well I am sure the whole new site is already up, they just testing it. Usually such big changes deployed 4 days ahead. Then at given time they just have to upload one document to the server which will open up the new version. Very simple. =)