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Apple to open iTunes LP format

Posted by adam on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 12:30 PM (EDT)

Tech blog Ars Technica has updated an earlier story that claimed the new iTunes LP digital format would be closed to select major labels and carry a $10,000 production fee. Apple has corrected the claim, stating:

We're releasing the open specs for iTunes LP soon, allowing both major and indie labels to create their own. There is no production fee charged by Apple.

iTunes LPs are enhanced digital albums sold in the company's iTunes store. They are built with standard web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and can contain graphics and video in addition to the music. Given the technologies involved, an experienced web developer should have the skill set to to produce an iTunes LP package. No time table has been announced for the release of the spec.

AFI's recent record Crash Love and Paramore's new album Brand New Eyes were among the first albums released in this format.

MP3 (31 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Seriously.

IanIsSuperRad (October 14, 2009)

No care. Not ever.

2+ Replies

RamblinBoyOfPleasure (October 14, 2009)

That's good for you.

You_Are_A_Loser (October 14, 2009)

IanIsSuperCareless

johnrambo (October 14, 2009)

neat

red_eye_inc (October 14, 2009)

I like itunes, and I always thought the best way to think about it that ts $9.99 for the album, no matter what. If they tack on some bonus tracks or throw in a video then that's cool, but not really expected or necessary. Sometimes the bonus songs or videos are throw aways that you don't really listen to anyway, sometimes they're awesome. So I guess if this doesn't cost extra then it's great, if it does then it tosses out a major reason I use itunes in the first place.

2+ Replies

RamblinBoyOfPleasure (October 14, 2009)

Yeah but how much does the band see of it?

red_eye_inc (October 14, 2009)

I don't know, how much does the band see if I buy it at the store or from an online distributor? And what if I determine that a $14.99 cd or record is too expensive and decide not to buy it at all? What if I do want to buy it but the store doesn't have it or it's out of print or I don't want to pay for shipping and wait two weeks? Then the band sees NOTHING.

veganboyjosh (October 14, 2009)

how do digital gatefold LP covers work?

3+ Replies

Shindo (adam) (October 14, 2009)

Dual monitors.

-adam

TheOneTrueBill (October 14, 2009)

Great so now only film students and video game geeks can enjoy them!

Shindo (adam) (October 14, 2009)

Hey! I'm a software developer and I love my ever growing bank of monitors. At some point my desk will look like Ozymandias' TV wall in Watchmen.

-adam

baldsteve (October 14, 2009)

Can you call me if you get a Bubastis?

baldsteve (October 14, 2009)

so good

MattRamone (October 14, 2009)

Wow this isn't an idea that will fail horribly.

"Herf derf I'm-a pay extra for shit I can find on youtibe and google image."

6+ Replies

veganboyjosh (October 14, 2009)

i could maybe see it working if you had some really creative person* designing it. remember that "preview" of the hwm dvd menu? i could see the digital lp format including all kinds of cool things like games or links or other easter eggs.

*you're right. it would never work.

nick_s (October 14, 2009)

You can already imagine the self indulgent 'masterpiece' the Mars Volta are planning.

Shindo (adam) (October 14, 2009)

I think the format will have some play if and when Apple unveils how it will factor into the Apple TV (or it's successor) and this mythical Apple tablet. I'd be rather interested if, on my Apple TV, I got all sorts of band artwork and imagery while I'm playing an album.

(granted, I'm one of the 10 people who actually has one of those. In fact it's what I use more often then not to play music in our house. Me and the other 9 Apple TV owners aren't quite a market)

-adam

TheOneTrueBill (October 14, 2009)

I have no idea what those gadgets are. Care to explain in a non-tech heavy way?

Shindo (adam) (October 14, 2009)

Which? the Apple website probably has lots on the Apple TV so I won't repeat it here. Essentially it's a drive that has an HDMI out to your TV that can play content from iTunes. Some people use it to rent movies and whatnot. I use it as a stereo to access stuff that I've got in my iTunes library. I'm also a big podcast watcher so I use it for HD video podcasts and the like.

The tablet's just a rumor right now. Nothing's been announced by Apple: http://gizmodo.com/tag/apple-tablet

-adam

You_Are_A_Loser (October 14, 2009)

I hope you don't have a time capsule. They're all dying. It's a pandemic.

Shindo (adam) (October 14, 2009)

Nope.

-adam

kneel (October 14, 2009)

i am one of the other 9 or so. i love it. i got sick of buying dvds and having to store them/wasting plastic. this way i can buy (or rip) them and watch them on my tv conveniently. thing rules. airtunes support and iphone integration is awesome too.

jonnyv859 (October 14, 2009)

i hope weezer's "raditude" the "exclusive digital version" comes out on digital lp format... not really though.

1+ Reply

kayteee (December 20, 2009)

i hope that wasn't a negative comment towards weezer.
because it sure sounds like it is.

MilesQToast (October 14, 2009)

remember that thing someone posted quite a while ago that was like "STOP YELLING I want to marry Freddy I love photography etcetc?" Was that a meme from somewhere or an original? That was funny. I want to read it again.

Ragdoll (October 14, 2009)

This sounds nice, cuz when I sit down at my computer, it's not to do work, it's to stare endlessly at band artwork and flip through fiddly JavaScript menus.

Also, my favorite part of DVDs is the interactive menus. Especially the 3D ones that zoom around for 30 seconds before bringing you to the actual menu. Anyone else buy that X-Men DVD?

1+ Reply

nick_s (October 14, 2009)

That is really annoying, here's the openning credits music (that you'll hear in 10 seconds) and a shitty little intro before the menu. why? Just give me the fucking movie.

DrewXFishy (October 14, 2009)

hey i got one

buy CD's

2+ Replies

Fuzzy (justin) (October 14, 2009)

So we can just rip them to our computers and then have giant mountains of wasteful plastic sitting around taking up space and representing more toxicity introduced to the world?

DrewXFishy (October 14, 2009)

nah nah its cool they make these things sony walkmans, pretty radical...also, they have these stereos and they play em too, it rules

AK3punk (October 15, 2009)

I still like cds :(

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