Hmmm...
Showing posts with label iTunes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iTunes. Show all posts
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Ricky You Broke my iTunes (but I fixed it!)
Ah, had some weird freezing issues with iTunes 8.2.1 today. It would freeze every time I refreshed my podcasts list to get new episodes. I had to go through each podcast feed one by one and click "Update Podcast", so it would list new episodes, but not download them. One of the last ones was my feed for Ricky Gervais Podcast. Seems he's put up a corrupt new video promo for his Carnegie Hall show...as soon as I try to download this video, BLAM. Thanks Jellycast!
Fortunately, I was able to just delete the episode from my feed without downloading, and everything is back to normal. Good grief. Hope this helps anyone else...and since the guy has millions of fans...and there's millions of iTunes users...well, you do the math!
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
ZAGG invisibleSHIELD
So, there's this company called ZAGG. They make the "Invisible Shield", which is an outstanding new product.
As usual, it all starts with the US Military. Story goes they had developed an indestructible plastic cling wrap (the kind you and I would use for sandwiches) to apply to their helicopter blades...not sure what grade meat they make their sandwiches with, but rest assured, the bread will be protected!
My buddy recently ordered and applied Invisible Shields to his camera, Blackberry and iPod Touch. For the cost of a few albums on iTunes, all his devices are now protected from the worst the elements have to serve up (pocket lint, dust, loose change, gravel, sidewalk, etc). Should have taken some pictures of the application process, but alas, I have none.
The Invisible Shields don't hurt your gadgets in the least, and can be removed at any time. With a lifetime warranty, how can you go wrong? These shields let you protect your swag in style...yeah, I used to work in radio, why do you ask?
Anyway, check em out. If I get a new device, I'll definitely want to protect it's multitouch screen...looking at you, Apple. Check out their website for more details and helpful videos, or read a much more detailed review here. They have versions for all your gear, PSPs, iPods, laptops, phones, even the PS3!
As usual, it all starts with the US Military. Story goes they had developed an indestructible plastic cling wrap (the kind you and I would use for sandwiches) to apply to their helicopter blades...not sure what grade meat they make their sandwiches with, but rest assured, the bread will be protected!
My buddy recently ordered and applied Invisible Shields to his camera, Blackberry and iPod Touch. For the cost of a few albums on iTunes, all his devices are now protected from the worst the elements have to serve up (pocket lint, dust, loose change, gravel, sidewalk, etc). Should have taken some pictures of the application process, but alas, I have none.
The Invisible Shields don't hurt your gadgets in the least, and can be removed at any time. With a lifetime warranty, how can you go wrong? These shields let you protect your swag in style...yeah, I used to work in radio, why do you ask?
Anyway, check em out. If I get a new device, I'll definitely want to protect it's multitouch screen...looking at you, Apple. Check out their website for more details and helpful videos, or read a much more detailed review here. They have versions for all your gear, PSPs, iPods, laptops, phones, even the PS3!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
TV shows now on iTunes Canada
No, you're not dreaming! After what seems like about ten years (probably closer to two), TV shows are now available for purchase in the Canadian iTunes Store.
Not much there yet, of course, but hey, lest we forget, the US Store only started with a handful of shows back in the day (2005). Plus, since the Canadian broadcast culture absolutely depends on simulcasting US shows as I've discussed before, it might be a good long while before we see The Daily Show, 24, Heroes or any of the other big name shows.
However, it's nice to see the price is the same as the US, at $2 an episode. I assume the quality is the same, not quite DVD. Also, Canadian hit shows Corner Gas, Little Mosque on the Prairie and other homegrown hits are on there for those who never realized sometimes we do make our own shows. In a fit of irony, Canadian networks could thank themselves at this point for the lack on content on there. Make some more of your own shows, fellas. Then you'll own the rights!
And what Canadian video store would be complete without a smattering of NHL content?! Well you're in luck, as there's even some 'Stanley Cup Classics' up there. 5 old-skool Stanley Cup games, back in the days before the Salary Cap was King. They look to be full length games, no ads. While I assume we're still a long way from next-day highlights or current game downloads, this is a good move for the NHL, kudos. And anyway, if you're a Leafs fan, there's lots of content already up in the Podcast section...check out "Game in Six Minutes", and the LeafsTV post-game show is also available:
One more point: If I was a Canadian film or TV producer, I would absolutely be phoning Apple this morning to find out how I can get my content on here. Bypass the broadcaster completely and get your show in front of people on their computer or their iPod. No brainer.
Anyway, we'll see where this goes. Interesting to see when/if movies get added, but again, if I had a Canadian film, I'd skip fighting tooth and nail trying to get it into 3 screens across Canada opening weekend competing with Harry Potter and Spider-Man, and just get it online where everyone can find it and buy it for dirt cheap.
Personally I'm hooked on Blu-Ray since the PS3 came to stay at my house, but the online download world has not yet begun to fight, not in this country anyway. Well, ok, now it has...as of today...
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
O Canada, We Sit and Wait for AppleTV...
Ok, I just read this interesting blog entry regarding the new AppleTV device, specifically the current lack of Canadian content for the thing.
So, I felt inclined to add my two cents...which grew into about $10 worth of analysis of the CRTC, Canadian Networks, the future of broadcasting, and of course, Canadian content (the quality, the lack, the marketing, etc). My comment is #7 on that page, but I'll post it here as well, just cause it took so long to write, but please check out the link above to get the whole context:
While there's nothing I like better than ripping into the CRTC (except maybe ripping into the CBC), I feel Canadian content creators/owners/distributors themselves are also to blame. They need to be ones pushing the CRTC (and maybe they're trying, who knows?) to be better and more competitive. Our system in this country just flat out does not work.
Take this evening for example. CBS is running Survivor tonight (Wednesday) instead of the regular Thursday slot, due to basketball or something. But wait a minute, Global runs Survivor on Thursdays...Bones and Prison Break are on Wednesdays...what's Global gonna do?! Survivor is no good a day later, due to co-worker induced spoilers, but if they bump their regular programming to match CBS tonight, then they'll lose viewers for tomorrow nights' regular shows, people who tune in tomorrow, expecting Survior, and those expecting a day-late Bones or House or whatever else Global bought up at the big conventions down south. Also, they likely won't have prepared any promos this past week telling people when to find their shows, since we don't seem to produce episode specific promos in Canada. Blah, makes my skin crawl.
If there was any thinking, internet-savvy people in higher up positions, then I'd be able to launch iTunes, browse to the CTV section of the Canadian iTunes Store, and buy, download and watch Degrassi, Corner Gas and Robson Arms (If I wanted to, just for example). Also, I could browse to the Movie section and choose from a wide variety of Canadian films, most of which people have never heard of, because people here also do not understand marketing. They think if they open a film on 25 screens across Canada, then that's a huge widespread success?! And most never even come out on DVD...rediculous! They spend their entire marketing budget on a few bus boards in downtown Toronto, useless.
Internet Baby! iTunes, and online distribution methods like it, are the way to go, it's painfully obvious. But I'll give credit where it's due, CTV does manage to stream (Windows Media...yuck) shows on their site, and I visit TSN Broadband every day during the hockey season (especially since I don't get TSN on my cable box, cause I'd HAVE TO subscribe to the analog tier in order to get the HD feed...the main reason I hate the CRTC).
Where was I...blinded by my own rage here. Oh yes, the CRTC. As luck would have it, they are up for a review this year, and I'm praying the Conservatives will blow them up but good. This is the only way to save Canadian content providers: not by propping them up with 'blood money' made from second-rate simulcasting of US shows and running the same Tim Horton's and Subway ad every single break, sometimes the same ad back to back. No, but to challenge them to find new avenues to get their content to the people who want it the most.
I also prefer to watch the US feed of 24. Global's feed removes not only the US HD ads, which I prefer over the Canadian low-def poorly lit slap-stick (even though I mostly fast forward everything anyways), but they also remove the pre-show promos voiced by Big Voice Guy, Don LaFontaine...plus, they also shove their cheap looking 'Viewer Discretion' warnings into every commerical break. Bah, who needs it, I'll just watch it on the West Coast feed, which thankfully is not simulcrapsted.
But wait, if we Canadians watch all our favourite US shows on US networks, won't that kill Canadian advertising, which Canadian networks use to fund new Canadian shows? Well, no, I don't really think so. The fact is, a good show is a good show...I don't care where it comes from (My favourite show is the British "The Office", for example). Let's look at Corner Gas. They've been averaging 1.6 million viewers, making it one of the highest rated Canadian shows. You think people are watching it for the Subway ads?!!??! Nope.
Advertising during a TV show is an outdated model. It's also expensive, that's why so few do it well. I know I would jump at the chance to sell my show direct (via iTunes, or other online method) to my fans! That's the pool of opportunity Canadian content providers need to dive headfirst into. You think Avril Lavigne gives a damn if her songs are played on Canadian radio?! No, but I'll bet she's interested in seeing those iTunes sales numbers!!! Hence all the bonus content you're finding on iTunes music these days...free music videos, alternate mixes, PDFs of lyrics and art, and concert tickets, etc.
Everything is a marketing opportunity, if people use their heads.
I think my point a minute ago was supposed to be, if Canadian broadcasters would quit spending all their money on licencing US content, and instead develop their own shows, we would start to see higher quality Canadian content, and more of it. People don't care where content comes from, they'll watch it if it's good and they like it. We're so protective in Canada, but at some point you have to just worry about playing your own game, not worry what the other team is doing...sorry, watching the Leafs trying to get into the playoffs these past weeks is wearing me down. ;)
The government already has the Canadian Television Fund, which all the cable companies pay into to fund home grown programming. But then when the show is made, they bury it against Hockey Night in Canada, instead of running them in decent timeslots against, dare I say it, American shows. America churns out the same percentage of crap as we do, don't worry. I say it's time to rise to the challenge. But bottom line, nothing will get watched if you don't market it...put out the pilot on iTunes (or the show's own web site), stuff like that.
Anyway, broadcasting may not be completely dead just yet (live sports for example), and ads will always be around. Either we buy the shows outright (TV on DVD, iTunes), or get them free, but with ads. I would love to see more Canadians take advantage of the freedom of the Internet. Cut out the middle man, in this case, the dinosaurs at the CRTC and cable companies, and sell direct to your audience.
The Apple TV will hopefully provide the missing link for many people to send digital content to their living room. I think it's pretty cool, although I have a lot content not in iTunes which may not play, and I already have my iMac hooked to my HDTV with a 20ft DVI cable anyways.
Thanks for your time, I didn't intend to write this much, but my blood just boils when I think of all the content we're "not allowed" to get in this country. And when I think of all the content we should be making on our own, but we're too worried about CSI and Law & Order. On the other hand, there's plenty of hockey to watch! Course, hockey has it's own regional ridiculousness, try being a Leafs fan outside of "Leafs Nation"...
Bottom line, Canadians should be all over iTunes...buyers and sellers alike. Here's hoping those screenshots from the new iTunes are indeed signs of things to come, sooner the better!
Also, I read an article earlier today about how all the best Canadian writers go South to write for US shows. Maybe if we produced more shows here, some of them might stay? We have plenty of talent, just look at our roster of world famous comic actors.
All this being said, I myself have not yet sent a letter to the CRTC, which is pretty lame of me, I just haven't made the time, but I will. Here's some decent contact info, looks like they have fancy new forms and everything:
http://support.crtc.gc.ca/CRTCSubmissionMU/forms/main.aspx?lang=e
Might I recommend the "Complaints and Inquiries" button? :) I'm gonna tell them I really don't approve of simulcasting...let me watch American shows the American way, and I'll watch Canadian shows the Canadian way, whatever that ends up being. I'm paying the Canadian cable company to get the US networks, I fail to see where it says I don't get to watch them in their entirety!
The CRTC site says your complaint will be responded to within 10 business days, so they do read them. I did send an email to TSN last week thanking them for TSN Broadband, but I also asked them why doesn't it work in Safari yet, etc. Somebody will read it, and that's enough to make it worth it. It feels better to get it off your chest.
One more thing, a good site for more information on all things Canadian Production-related: playbackmag.com
So, I felt inclined to add my two cents...which grew into about $10 worth of analysis of the CRTC, Canadian Networks, the future of broadcasting, and of course, Canadian content (the quality, the lack, the marketing, etc). My comment is #7 on that page, but I'll post it here as well, just cause it took so long to write, but please check out the link above to get the whole context:
While there's nothing I like better than ripping into the CRTC (except maybe ripping into the CBC), I feel Canadian content creators/owners/distributors themselves are also to blame. They need to be ones pushing the CRTC (and maybe they're trying, who knows?) to be better and more competitive. Our system in this country just flat out does not work.
Take this evening for example. CBS is running Survivor tonight (Wednesday) instead of the regular Thursday slot, due to basketball or something. But wait a minute, Global runs Survivor on Thursdays...Bones and Prison Break are on Wednesdays...what's Global gonna do?! Survivor is no good a day later, due to co-worker induced spoilers, but if they bump their regular programming to match CBS tonight, then they'll lose viewers for tomorrow nights' regular shows, people who tune in tomorrow, expecting Survior, and those expecting a day-late Bones or House or whatever else Global bought up at the big conventions down south. Also, they likely won't have prepared any promos this past week telling people when to find their shows, since we don't seem to produce episode specific promos in Canada. Blah, makes my skin crawl.
If there was any thinking, internet-savvy people in higher up positions, then I'd be able to launch iTunes, browse to the CTV section of the Canadian iTunes Store, and buy, download and watch Degrassi, Corner Gas and Robson Arms (If I wanted to, just for example). Also, I could browse to the Movie section and choose from a wide variety of Canadian films, most of which people have never heard of, because people here also do not understand marketing. They think if they open a film on 25 screens across Canada, then that's a huge widespread success?! And most never even come out on DVD...rediculous! They spend their entire marketing budget on a few bus boards in downtown Toronto, useless.
Internet Baby! iTunes, and online distribution methods like it, are the way to go, it's painfully obvious. But I'll give credit where it's due, CTV does manage to stream (Windows Media...yuck) shows on their site, and I visit TSN Broadband every day during the hockey season (especially since I don't get TSN on my cable box, cause I'd HAVE TO subscribe to the analog tier in order to get the HD feed...the main reason I hate the CRTC).
Where was I...blinded by my own rage here. Oh yes, the CRTC. As luck would have it, they are up for a review this year, and I'm praying the Conservatives will blow them up but good. This is the only way to save Canadian content providers: not by propping them up with 'blood money' made from second-rate simulcasting of US shows and running the same Tim Horton's and Subway ad every single break, sometimes the same ad back to back. No, but to challenge them to find new avenues to get their content to the people who want it the most.
I also prefer to watch the US feed of 24. Global's feed removes not only the US HD ads, which I prefer over the Canadian low-def poorly lit slap-stick (even though I mostly fast forward everything anyways), but they also remove the pre-show promos voiced by Big Voice Guy, Don LaFontaine...plus, they also shove their cheap looking 'Viewer Discretion' warnings into every commerical break. Bah, who needs it, I'll just watch it on the West Coast feed, which thankfully is not simulcrapsted.
But wait, if we Canadians watch all our favourite US shows on US networks, won't that kill Canadian advertising, which Canadian networks use to fund new Canadian shows? Well, no, I don't really think so. The fact is, a good show is a good show...I don't care where it comes from (My favourite show is the British "The Office", for example). Let's look at Corner Gas. They've been averaging 1.6 million viewers, making it one of the highest rated Canadian shows. You think people are watching it for the Subway ads?!!??! Nope.
Advertising during a TV show is an outdated model. It's also expensive, that's why so few do it well. I know I would jump at the chance to sell my show direct (via iTunes, or other online method) to my fans! That's the pool of opportunity Canadian content providers need to dive headfirst into. You think Avril Lavigne gives a damn if her songs are played on Canadian radio?! No, but I'll bet she's interested in seeing those iTunes sales numbers!!! Hence all the bonus content you're finding on iTunes music these days...free music videos, alternate mixes, PDFs of lyrics and art, and concert tickets, etc.
Everything is a marketing opportunity, if people use their heads.
I think my point a minute ago was supposed to be, if Canadian broadcasters would quit spending all their money on licencing US content, and instead develop their own shows, we would start to see higher quality Canadian content, and more of it. People don't care where content comes from, they'll watch it if it's good and they like it. We're so protective in Canada, but at some point you have to just worry about playing your own game, not worry what the other team is doing...sorry, watching the Leafs trying to get into the playoffs these past weeks is wearing me down. ;)
The government already has the Canadian Television Fund, which all the cable companies pay into to fund home grown programming. But then when the show is made, they bury it against Hockey Night in Canada, instead of running them in decent timeslots against, dare I say it, American shows. America churns out the same percentage of crap as we do, don't worry. I say it's time to rise to the challenge. But bottom line, nothing will get watched if you don't market it...put out the pilot on iTunes (or the show's own web site), stuff like that.
Anyway, broadcasting may not be completely dead just yet (live sports for example), and ads will always be around. Either we buy the shows outright (TV on DVD, iTunes), or get them free, but with ads. I would love to see more Canadians take advantage of the freedom of the Internet. Cut out the middle man, in this case, the dinosaurs at the CRTC and cable companies, and sell direct to your audience.
The Apple TV will hopefully provide the missing link for many people to send digital content to their living room. I think it's pretty cool, although I have a lot content not in iTunes which may not play, and I already have my iMac hooked to my HDTV with a 20ft DVI cable anyways.
Thanks for your time, I didn't intend to write this much, but my blood just boils when I think of all the content we're "not allowed" to get in this country. And when I think of all the content we should be making on our own, but we're too worried about CSI and Law & Order. On the other hand, there's plenty of hockey to watch! Course, hockey has it's own regional ridiculousness, try being a Leafs fan outside of "Leafs Nation"...
Bottom line, Canadians should be all over iTunes...buyers and sellers alike. Here's hoping those screenshots from the new iTunes are indeed signs of things to come, sooner the better!
Also, I read an article earlier today about how all the best Canadian writers go South to write for US shows. Maybe if we produced more shows here, some of them might stay? We have plenty of talent, just look at our roster of world famous comic actors.
All this being said, I myself have not yet sent a letter to the CRTC, which is pretty lame of me, I just haven't made the time, but I will. Here's some decent contact info, looks like they have fancy new forms and everything:
http://support.crtc.gc.ca/CRTCSubmissionMU/forms/main.aspx?lang=e
Might I recommend the "Complaints and Inquiries" button? :) I'm gonna tell them I really don't approve of simulcasting...let me watch American shows the American way, and I'll watch Canadian shows the Canadian way, whatever that ends up being. I'm paying the Canadian cable company to get the US networks, I fail to see where it says I don't get to watch them in their entirety!
The CRTC site says your complaint will be responded to within 10 business days, so they do read them. I did send an email to TSN last week thanking them for TSN Broadband, but I also asked them why doesn't it work in Safari yet, etc. Somebody will read it, and that's enough to make it worth it. It feels better to get it off your chest.
One more thing, a good site for more information on all things Canadian Production-related: playbackmag.com
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