The Simpsons have done an extended mApple parody (including Steve Mobbs and the Brainiac Bar, and a parody of the 1984 ad), available on hulu. For users in the rest of the world outside the continental US, check it out on YouTube.
ArsTechnica reports that DisplayPort uses DPCP (the DisplayPort version of the evil HDCP) on iTunes purchased content. So if you want to watch that movie you bought off the iTunes store on an external display such as a projector or your 30 inch cinema display, you may not be able to, if you have any non-conforming display connected. Instead you see a dialogue proclaiming:
This movie cannot be played because a display that is not authorized to play protected movies is connected. Try disconnecting any displays that are not HDCP authorized
via MWJ
So one has to think this is likely to increase the probability that rather than downloading it from iTunes people will download the pirated torrent instead.
In a news story that threatens to eclipse panicky Wall Street speculation, rumours are spreading that the iTunes store might have to close if a ruling tomorrow by the Copyright Royalty Board increases royalties too much. Or maybe the CRB will get panicky if Steve threatens to throw the big iTunes Store switch…
Of course, Apple really makes its money from selling iPods and iPhones to play content from iTunes, so it might not be as big a problem as people expect 
According to The Australian’s IT section, Apple Australia have announced the availability of iTunes U in Australia. Content will be provided by some of Australia’s leading universities including
Conveniently these universities are already running automated lecture capture or recording systems.
MacDailyNews reports that Apple’s market value is now four times as big as Dell’s. Perhaps it’s time for Michael Dell to sell up and give the money back to the shareholders?
Since Apple’s announcement of movies being available on the iTunes Store on the same day as the DVD release, MacRumors reports that the AppleTV can now be used to download music directly, without requiring a computer to purchase and upload the movie.
The Apple University Consortium has announced innovation Seeding Grants, primarily aimed at students. Participants are provided with a mentor, equipment and resources to complete the project and must share progress via a blog with the ultimate outcome being licensed via open source, creative commons or similar licensing.
Target are offering up to AU$30 off iPods while stocks last, and if you buy an 8Gb nano you get a $20 iTunes card until Wednesday 19th March 2008.
Apple has announced that the free Apple TV software update to enable movie rentals has been delayed:
Apple also announced that the free Apple TV software update enabling movie rentals is not quite finished and will now be available in another week or two.
I’d be guessing the Apple TV developers must be very under the pump at the moment.
After announcing that iTunes has sold 4 billion songs (20 million on Christmas Day), 125 million TV shows, and 7 million movies, Steve Jobs today announced the availability of iTunes Movie Rentals (for US users only!) with content from Sony, Universal, Touchstone, Miramax, MGM, Lionsgate, Newline, Fox, Warner Bros, Disney and Paramount.This will include over 1000 movies available 30 days after DVD release. Watch on Mac, PC, iPod or iPhone within 30s start time (assuming you’ve got decent broadband), and movies available for watching within 30 days but must be watched within 24 hours of starting to watch. US$2.99 for library titles and US$3.99 for new releases
