MacRumors

NYPost reports that Apple will be launching a ringtone service for iPhone users next week.

The service - expected to be unveiled when Apple announces its new lineup of iPods - would allow users to turn almost any song sold through iTunes into a ringtone for an additional fee. The exact price was unclear.

The service is said to allow users to convert songs they have previously purchased to be turned into a ringtone, with user-controlled ability to choose which portion of the song to use. Beyond that, Apple is said to plan on offering traditional ringtones as well.

Much of this reiterates a rumor earlier this week also suggesting that Apple will introduce ringtone support during the September 5th media event.

The rumors are also consistent with a previous report about Apple's plans to sell custom ringtones.

In the meanwhile, 3rd party developers have stepped up to fill this custom ringtone demand. Ambrosia Software has released their ringtone tool (iToner) for the Mac. Of interest, Ambrosia's iToner is said to install ringtones "the proper way, without any hacks" which should be resilient to future iPhone updates. Windows users have had the option of using iPhoneRingToneMaker.

While both tools are shareware, they do not have a per-ringtone fee that is expected with Apple's service. More adventerous users can use various hacking tools such as iFuntastic.

NYTimes reports that NBC and Apple have been unable to come to an agreement on pricing of its television shows.

As a result, NBC may not renew its contract to sell its television content on the iTunes store.

The media conglomerate which is the No. 1 supplier of digital video to Apples online store, accounting for about 40 percent of downloads notified Apple of its decision late yesterday, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked for anonymity because negotiations between the companies are confidential.

NBC had reportedly been seeking better piracy controls and the ability to bundle videos. The decision will not immediately affect availability of programs as the current deal extends through December -- so there is still time for the companies to reach an agreement as the talks continue:

The two companies could still reach an agreement on a new contract before their current deal expires. While each side has so far refused to budge, the talks will continue and have been free of acrimony, the person familiar with the matter said.

While an earlier report today claimed that Volkswagen and Apple were working on integrating Apple products into future Volkswagen models, reader Chris Bangle notes that Apple may have been working on control interfaces for at least one upcoming luxury car.

CarMagazine.co.uk has a feature about the upcoming Jaguar XF, and an interview with the designer, Ian Callum.

The interview concludes with Callum talking about the new Jaguar's gearshift mechanism ("JaguarDrive"), and claims that Apple has had some involvement with their design:

Step inside and the starter button starts to pulsate like a heartbeat. Press it and the car comes to life. The air vents rise up and the JaguarDrive Selector pops up. We took so much comment on the old J-gate change and felt it was time for a change. The dial takes up less space, too. We have been working with Apple on control interfaces.

A description of the JaguarDrive Selector describes it as follows:

The JaguarDrive Selector replaces a conventional gearstick. Sitting flush with the centre console, it rises electrically when the ignition is turned on. It's a metallic rotary dial (not dissimilar to BMW's iDrive control) that twists to change gear on the standard six-speed automatic box, rotating easily between P, R, N and D. We've tested it and its action is pleasant and seamless. Importantly, it frees up oodles of extra space on the console.

Apple was also the focus of an earlier rumor that Apple was working on car navigation and sound systems in partnership with Mercedes for a 2009 launch.

AlleyInsider claims (reliability unknown) that "a well-informed source" has told them that the Beatles will not be introduced at Apple's media event next week.

Their source does expect a new iPod, but also a new Ringtone feature for iPhone users. According to their source, users will be able to make ringtones out of songs they've already purchased from iTunes. They also claim, however, that Universal songs won't be available for this feature.

In the days leading to the iPhone launch, we had heard from reliable sources that Apple was working on incorporating Ringtone features into iTunes, but that report claimed the service would cost $.99.

Apple has released a firmware update for the AirPort Extreme Base Station with 802.11n.

The AirPort Extreme Base Station with 802.11n* and Firmware 7.2.1 is Wi-Fi certified for 802.11n* draft 2.0. This update also includes bug fixes and security updates.

This update requires AirPort Utility 5.1 or later. If you have AirPort Utility 5.0 installed, you can update to AirPort Utility 5.2.1 by installing AirPort Base Station Update 2007-002:

The 4.6MB download is available for download or through the AirPort utility application in Mac OS X.

Appleinsider claims that Apple is preparing a (PRODUCT) RED version of the iPod shuffle as early as next week.

Apple previously introduced a RED version of the iPod Nano. Each sale of the Special Edition iPod Nano donates $10 to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.

German magazine Capital is reporting (google translation) that talks between Apple and Volkswagen are in an early stage for a so-called "iCar".

According to a Volkswagen company spokesperson, the two company heads held talks a few days ago in California on more heavily incorporating Apple products in Volkswagen's compact cars.

Apple already has a dedicated page for the integration of its iPod products into automobiles. Recently, Apple has worked with BMW for iPhone integration in 7-series models.

Note: The term "iCar" is said to be a preliminary designation for the project, much in the way that the AppleTV was first designated "iTV".

Now that Apple has invited select media to the a press event which will take place on September 5th, 2007, it seems clear that Apple's iPods will finally see updates.

While we typically steer clear of mock-ups of upcoming Apple devices, in the months leading into this event, there have been a number of potential leaks about the upcoming iPods. Based on this information, we've found these mockups which closely depict what has been rumored (nano, touch) by 9to5mac.

iPod Nano
(mockup by Engadget)

iPod Touch
(mockup by 1381 designs, found at KezNews.com (NSFW))
Update: Touch mockups from 9to5mac

The Beat Goes On

Appleinsider notes that "The beat goes on." tag-line that appears on Apple's media invitation is likely a reference to the Beatles.

Reportedly, the Beatles' final press release ended with:

When the spinning stops -- that'll be the time to worry, not before. Until then, the Beatles are alive and well and the beat goes on, the beat goes on.

The launch of the Beatles on iTunes has been long expected, with recent interface videos prominently featuring Beatles album art.

Wireless iPods?

Meanwhile, we've personally heard some interesting tidbits that the upcoming iPods may sport WiFi wireless connectivity, but no confirmation has been available. However, a couple of other reports on the net have been suggesting the same.

Firstofall blog claims "There was also discussion about wireless capabilities for iTunes Store browsing. Whether this would be based on WiFi or another technology is entirely unknown". The site also suggests the possibility of an FM tuner in the iPods.

LoopRumors similarly suggests that upcoming iPods would be able to "wirelessly control iTunes" via WiFi using two different methods:

One would enable iPods to act as a remote and control playlists by queuing a song from the iTunes data file, instead of streaming the file. The other method is using AirTunes, by streaming the MP3 files.

Several sites (Engadget, Crave) are reporting that Apple will indeed be holding a media event on September 5th, 2007 at 10 AM Pacific. (as predicted by Arstechnica)

Apple has been rumored to be holding a media event to launch the new iPods. Rumors have pinpointed both revised Nanos as well as a full-screen touch iPod.

The invite depicts "Cover Flow", which is expected to be arriving with the new OS X based iPods. The iPods have been the subject of a number of recent leaks (Nano photos, Interface Videos) which have attracted the attention of Apple Legal.

Apple's UK iTunes store (iTunes Link) is now offering television shows to customers.

Individual episodes are available for 1.89 per episode and offer television shows from ABC, Disney Channel, Nikelodeon, MTV, Paramount Comedy and Playhouse Disney.

ThinkSecret has posted a gallery of the latest Mac OS X Leopard Build.

Build 9A527, distributed last week to developers, represents a substantial improvement over the previous build, 9A499. On the whole, the build performs faster and has far fewer bugs than before.

They write that the new build has continuing signs of refinement with high-resolution icons, smaller application sizes and other minor tweaks.

Apple has released iPhoto 7.0.2 (download)

What's New in this Version

This update to iPhoto addresses issues associated with publishing to .Mac Web Gallery, rebuilding thumbnails, and editing books. It also addresses a number of other minor issues.

iPhoto 7 was released on August 7, 2007 as part of iLife '08, and promptly updated to iPhoto 7.0.1.