Briefly: New NBC shows appear, Apple Store redesign

[AppleInsider]

New NBC shows are surfacing in iTunes despite Apple's original protests. Also, Apple has reworked its online store to make navigation easier and further highlight its best sellers.

Some new NBC shows appear on iTunes

Even though Apple was adamant that new episodes of NBC's fall shows would not appear in the iTunes Store, the company has relented on its vow -- at least, for shows not directly produced by the TV broadcaster.

The series premieres of Chuck and Journeyman, both shows produced outside of the network itself, are now available from the company's online store for their usual $1.99 prices. In the former's case, buyers also have the option of buying a Season Pass for $39.99. However, in-house daily shows such as Days of our Lives and The Tonight Show have also seen updates.

Apple has undoubtedly declined to post new episodes of returning seasonal shows produced within NBC, casting doubts on hopes that the two comapnies have mended their rift over iTunes pricing. The TV network's recent season 2 premiere of Heroes is nowhere to be seen, while other established shows also lack new episodes.

Neither Apple nor NBC has commented on the inconsistency.

Update: As AppleInsider forum member RidleyGriff points out, Apple still has not posted any new shows that are produced by NBC Universal to iTunes. Both Chuck and Journeyman air on NBC, but they are produced elsewhere, by different entities (who likely retain the digital distribution rights).

Apple gives its online store a makeover

Although the look of its online shopping presence has changed in recent months, Apple on Wednesday launched a major redesign of its web-based store.

The redesign lets users more easily narrow the scope of their visits with distinctive iPhone, iPod, and Mac sections as well as an iTunes-like breadcrumb navigation bar that lets users jump back to a higher level.

Site changes also focus heavily on products popular with Apple and its customers. A Staff Picks section highlights accessories the company recommends -- which are currently dominated by Apple products -- while the Top Sellers are now broken into separate product categories.

Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac still on track

When Adobe announced its version 6 upgrade to its Photoshop Elements visual editing tool this week, the absence of a Mac version in the release left some worried that the software developer was once again neglecting the Mac user base.

These concerns are overblown, the company has revealed. While Creative Suite 3 and Lightroom typically share simultaneous releases, the Mac and Windows versions of Elements are subject to "different development schedules" and so have pushed back the Mac OS X launch to early 2008.

Elements 6 adds a Photomerge feature to create effects from blending multiple images, a Guided Edit tool that helps newcomers apply changes, and a Quick Selection tool.

AT&T offers international roaming for iPhones

Horror stories of four-digit cellphone bills after taking the iPhone abroad need not repeat themselves, says a second report from Ars Technica.

In a simple reminder, the site points out that AT&T's iPhone Center provides information on the carrier's World Traveler service that lowers calling and data rates substantially for subscribers who regularly expect to travel abroad. The service typically costs $6 per month on top of the existing iPhone bill.

Users anxious about data charges while abroad were also reminded that Apple's third iPhone update is expected to allow disabling of the EDGE cellular Internet connection without cutting off phone access, as with today's Airplane Mode.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[RidleyGriff]

To clarify, Apple still has not posted any new shows that are produced by NBC-Universal to iTunes. Both "Chuck" and "Journeyman" air on NBC, but they are produced elsewhere, by different entities (who likely retain the digital distribution rights).

[shanmugam]

4Gb for $299 is gone now, inventory cleared i guess

[palegolas]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

...AT&T offers international roaming for iPhones

Horror stories of four-digit cellphone bills after taking the iPhone abroad need not repeat themselves, says a second report from Ars Technica.

In a simple reminder, the site points out that AT&T's iPhone Center provides information on the carrier's World Traveler service that lowers calling and data rates substantially for subscribers who regularly expect to travel abroad. The service typically costs $6 per month on top of the existing iPhone bill.

Users anxious about data charges while abroad were also reminded that Apple's third iPhone update is expected to allow disabling of the EDGE cellular Internet connection without cutting off phone access, as with today's Airplane Mode.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

It's tragic the whole locked situation. First, I can't choose my operator.. which sucks. Then I wouldn't be able to travel abroad and get a cheap SIM card while on a long vacation. I don't like this locked situation. It's not good at all...

[rjwill246]

Originally Posted by palegolas

It's tragic the whole locked situation. First, I can't choose my operator.. which sucks. Then I wouldn't be able to travel abroad and get a cheap SIM card while on a long vacation. I don't like this locked situation. It's not good at all...

The iPhone had to be locked... read up on why.
Now to reality... ATT's rates still suck even discounted-- typically $1.29 a minute from $1.69. That is no bargain when the charges could simply be the same as local rates-- typically 17-35c. Even at 50c it's too expensive. That is why I have put on Jajah-- way easier than Skype to use since you don't need your computers to be on. Fabulous rates...

ATT and all the other Apple partners are inviting people to defy the rules and unlock, especially for travelers since it is possible to use 100 minutes a week easily on business and family calls when you are overseas. $129-169 right there... in a week!!! It really is in the carriers' interests to make roaming tax FREE basically and just let the contract play out. These extra charges are gouging, since folks like Jajah and Skype and others can get typical 17-35c/min charges down to 1 or 2c.

The carriers just love to gouge when they can. Shades of Universal and Vivendi. Greedy bastards, all.

[McDave]

[QUOTE=AppleInsider;1148440]New NBC shows are surfacing in iTunes despite Apple's original protests. Also, Apple has reworked its online store to make navigation easier and further highlight its best sellers.

Some new NBC shows appear on iTunes

Even though Apple was adamant that new episodes of NBC's fall shows would not appear in the iTunes Store, the company has relented on its vow -- at least, for shows not directly produced by the TV broadcaster.QUOTE]

If they're not NBC produced maybe Apple have cut NBC out of the loop. Either way iTunes is like any other TV 'channel' series come, series go unless you're hellbent on a particular show I'm sure another one will be fine (especially with ideas being plagiarised so regularly).

McD

[nagromme]

So, although NBC owns the Sci-Fi channel, I don't THINK NBC produces Battlestar Galactica. Maybe there's still hope that BSG will continue on iTunes?

[EMoeller]

I shut off the iPhone when I travel internationally and for good reason - the rates are outrageous!!

I work in Canada and my iPhone AT&T monthly bill would average $384 (includes the AT&T discount) vs. my Sprint bill (Treo phone) at $5.99/month unlimited calling!

I just finished three weeks in Russia where the costs per minute were $5.99 roaming with AT&T!

Until AT&T changes its rate structure I will never use my iPhone internationally.

[potterhead4]

Originally Posted by nagromme

So, although NBC owns the Sci-Fi channel, I don't THINK NBC produces Battlestar Galactica. Maybe there's still hope that BSG will continue on iTunes?

I was hoping the same thing, but somehow the big NBC Universal logo at the start of every show on the DVD sets makes me think otherwise.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac still on track

I must have missed Elements 5, it looks like they update about once a year. I have Elements 3. Except to get a Universal app, I really don't need to upgrade. A lot of what I want to do can be done in iPhoto or free apps anyway, though when this comes out, I'll probably upgrade.

AT&T offers international roaming for iPhones

In a simple reminder, the site points out that AT&T's iPhone Center provides information on the carrier's World Traveler service that lowers calling and data rates substantially for subscribers who regularly expect to travel abroad. The service typically costs $6 per month on top of the existing iPhone bill.

OK, even if I take one overseas trip in two years, I would need to pay $6/mo all the time? And that would still be cheaper than what I'd pay if I went without that? It sounds suspiciously like an extended warranty plan.