APPLE’S DIGITAL MIXTAPE

Remember the mixtape? Apple has filed a patent application for what appears to be a mixtape for the digital age. The system would enable you to create and gift a personalized album. The person sending the “digital mixtape” would be able to pick the songs they want from iTunes, place them in sequence and forward that to someone else. This doesn’t have to be limited to songs either. The mixtape could be made up of a combination of audio files, images, movies, or photos from the user’s library or the online store. The person gifting the album could also choose to hide the names of songs until each one begins to play, kind of like a cassette mixed tape where there was no way to tell what was coming next. Once the album was complete, the store would send out a push notification to tell the recipient that there is a mixed tape waiting for them. If they accept it, then the sender would be charged a fee for creating it, and probably for the media taken from the iTunes store. If the recipient decides they don’t like the idea of getting such a thoughtful gift from that person, they can refuse it, and the sender will get their money back.
* The sender will “probably” be charged for the media from the iTunes store? Whoever wrote this story doesn’t know Apple very well.
* Brilliant. Why trade mp3s with people when you can pay to send them from iTunes?
* Thanks, but if this is the next big idea after the iPhone they’re in big trouble.
* What? You didn’t think they’d miss Steve Jobs?
* This is great, because now people can send you songs they know you like ’cause they heard them when you were playing your iPod.
* The only problem? Every mix tape will include the new album from U2 for free and you won’t be able to get it off.
* So Anthony Weiner could send a picture of his penis followed by some songs about his penis.
* Wait, that’s not dated. He’s in the new Sharknado movie. He’s back in play.