The iPod Nation

The Apple iPhone has just been released in Russia recently, yet they do not have an iTunes Store available for customers. As of the moment, Russia is a App Store-only country. But Apple is currently working on a deal with the three Russian wireless carriers who offer the Apple iPhone to allow customers to get a full iTunes Store ready by 2009 for Russian iPhone users. Out of the three Russian wireless companies, only MegaFon seems to be the closest to closing the deal. According to Vasily Kuzichev, the business development director of MegaFon, has stated that the negotiations with Apple is taking time because content in Russia is more expensive than any other country and the prices iTunes is considering for content in the country isn’t high enough for copyright owners. More details have yet to be announced regarding the iTunes store in Russia, but some speculate that it should come as early as early 2009. Please stay tuned as more information comes our way.

- Geoff

[Source: iLounge]

Blogger Kevin Rose, of kevinrose.com, has just posted a mock up draft of what he believes the new iTunes 8 will look like. Check it out.

According to the draft, users will be to view album arts through a iPhoto-like grid view. Users will also be able to directly play albums just by hovering over the album art. Sounds amazing. Remember to leave us some comments and tell us what you think?

- Geoff

[Source: MacRumors]

Last week, we reported that iTunes 8 will make its debut at Apple’s “Let’s Rock” event this Tuesday, September 9. Later in the week, we then reported that the rumor was deemed false by Ars Technica. Now Ars Technica believes that iTunes will indeed make its debut alongside the new iPod Nano. Ars Technica has also reported that there is a rumor that a iPhone 2.1 firmware will aso be debuted tomorrow. There are rumors regarding the new iPhone 2.1 firmware in which it was “specifically removed from developer seeds in order to to keep it secret from the world”. Developers have noted that Apple has ceased delivery of iPhone 2.1 firmware beta, which only means that the Gold Master firmware will be ready to make it debut to users. What should we expect from the new firmware? Well if Apple has to hide it from the public, there may be some new features and surprises that we should expect. Check back as we gain more information regardint these rumors.

- Geoff

[Source: ArsTechnica]

This just in! A few days ago, we reported on a rumor that iTunes 8 will be making its debut at Apple Inc.’s September 9 event entitled “Let’s Rock”. It has been reported by Ars Technica, that the rumors regarding the unveiling of iTunes 8 were a little premature. According to the techno blog, unveiling the new software would be too soon as there is much to upgrade and fix on the iTunes before it can be released to the public. Again this is all just speculation. The best indicator of what will happen is to just wait things out and hope Apple will give an announcement soon. Check back as more information comes our way.

- Geoff

[Source: Ars Technica]

Yesterday we reported that Apple Inc. will be holding an event entitled “Let’s Rock” in San Francisco. Many of us believe that the new iPod Nano will be revealed as well as a updated iPod Touch at the event. Well there are more rumors spreading around that a new iTunes 8 will also be revealed as the “big update”. The new iTunes 8 is believe to arrive with some new hefty features. There have been rumors from anonymous sources that iTunes 8 will have a new feature that will give users the ability to create playlists that are based on the quality of the song. This new feature has some saying it gives iTunes “a Pandora-like experience”. In addition to the new playlist feature, the new iTunes 8 would have new visualizations. An inside source has been noted saying that this event is a “big event” and that no one should miss it. I know we won’t. Stay tuned as more info comes our way.

- Geoff

[Source: MacRumors]