After seeing the intent by developers and artists to create iTunes LP and iTunes Extras for their music, Apple has opened up the availability to develop these features to third parties. However, automatic submission for iTunes LP and iTunes Extras is not expected until early 2010; in the meantime, it's still a limited process and uploads must be performed manually.

If you're an iTunes contributor and you're looking forward to developing an iTunes LP of your own, Apple has posted several resources for Extras & LP, including a best practices guide, a development guide, asset delivery tips and a testing guide.

There's also templates to get you started, and documentation on the TuneKit framework used by iTunes LP and iTunes Extras. These make extensive use of the WebKit framework, while using many new web standards.

Are you going to be more interested in these features since it's now open for development? Let us know in the comments below!

We have a lot of apps coming through our tipline, but this one caught my eye, not only because it is called Zombies (the stumbling undead always catch my eye), but because it offers up a bit of good old-fashioned fun in the form of a Daleks!-style remake.

Gameplay is simple and straighforward -- you run, turn-by-turn in eight directions, from zombies, who pursue you at the same speed, and though the game runs at any pace you want (perfect for gameplay on the iPhone, in my opinion, since most of the time I'm just looking for a few seconds to a couple minutes of easy-to-pick-up action), the dread is real. Just like actual zombies, these guys shamble their way toward you with a hunger that only brains can satisfy.

The game is on the App Store now [iTunes link]. I will say that it is a touch pricey at $2.99 (a simple arcade game like this seems made for the 99-cent price point, and it will probably end up there eventually), but who am I to begrudge the developers a couple of bucks? I don't need to drink that cup of Starbucks anyway. If you're in the mood for a simple, zombified twist on an old classic, this is it.

While you're at it, check out the Zombies preview video we shot at WWDC last July.

This is the kind of thing that probably should have been done a long time ago, but Macworld is reporting that Apple has launched iTunes Preview, a page that appears when you click an iTunes link (like this one) and your browser sends you over to iTunes. Previously, you just got that placeholder page that said "One Moment Please" and asked if you wanted to open the link in an external application, but with iTunes Preview, you get a nicely laid out page with information and reviews (and your browser still opens up the iTunes store).

Currently it only seems to work with music -- movies and television only get a small thumbnail, and applications get the same old gray page. But that'll probably change before long -- it's much smoother to see what you're clicking through to, and of course there's the added bonus for people who don't actually have iTunes installed. As MacWorld points out, there are actually no "preview" buttons on the page -- you can't listen to music there, only click through to the iTunes store. But like I said, it's better than a blank window and a browser popup asking for your permission. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see this grow a lot more in the future.

Apple has added many new HD movie titles to iTunes, according to former TUAWian David Chartier's post for Macworld. David, who is an HD-aficionado, noticed that the iTunes Store just recently stocked both classic and new release HD movies, bringing the HD movie collection to nearly 300 titles.

The new HD content is sold at a premium price (typically $20), and as far as we can tell that pricing stands regardless of whether or not the movies offer iTunes Extras. A few titles, mostly items that were already available on iTunes, sell for less -- such as Terminator 2 [iTunes link] for just $13.

Until now, Apple has offered some of its HD content as exclusive Apple TV rentals. Items could be rented from Apple TV units that were not available to rent from the normal iTunes Store. It's unclear at this time whether Apple will continue this policy of exclusive Apple TV rentals, or will expand the iTunes store-based rental system to match the Apple TV offerings.

A few of us here at TUAW received an email from Apple this morning stating that Apple TV-compatible versions of previous iTunes LP purchases are available for download. You'll remember that LP purchases made before the Apple TV 3.0 release would need a second download to work with the Apple TV. Apple is now offering those downloads.

The email from Apple is very straight-forward:

"With the latest versions of iTunes (9.0.2) and Apple TV software (3.0), you can now use iTunes LP on your Apple TV. We have updated the iTunes LP that was included with [your previous purchase here] so that it can now be viewed on Apple TV in addition to your Mac or PC...."

From there, the message provides a download link. Grab it, sync your Apple TV and you're off. My own is syncing as I type this, so we'll let you know how it looks and behaves later today. In the meantime, enjoy iTunes LP on your Apple TV!

A new terms of service agreement has been posted up for iTunes users to approve when purchasing songs, movies or apps -- but a read of the summary reveals that Apple TV 3.0 software is on the way. Thus far, all we know is that the update will include support for iTunes LPs and iTunes Extras. A quick check of my Apple TV reveals no update has been pushed to the devices as of yet.

Many thanks to those who submitted the tip!

We posted about Doubletwist earlier this year -- it's a pretty innovative music app (developed in part by Jon Lech Johansen, otherwise known as DVD Jon) that not only plays you play whatever you like, obviously, but even lets you share and send music off to anyone, even other people who don't have the app itself. Now Doubletwist is stepping up even more closely to becoming an iTunes competitor: they've announced a partnership with the Amazon music store to sell music directly from within the app. No TVs or movies -- just music, purchased directly within the app, and then able to be sent out to any devices or social networks as usual.

TechCrunch says the store's simplicity is actually a selling point -- iTunes has ballooned up to do way more than just sell music, and in Doubletwist it's much more straightforward. Here's the other bonus for Mac users: while we originally had to wait for an app release, the music store is currently only available on the Mac version of the software. A PC version is coming soon.

It's doubtful Doubletwist will replace iTunes for many people, given all of the various things iTunes does for a Mac user. But then again, if you are using the Amazon MP3 store with any frequency, Doubletwist is probably worth a look: it's a free download on the website.

Welcome back to Mac 101, our series of tips for new and novice Mac users.

iTunes gets easier to use with every update. One feature, however, has gotten lost in the changes. Artist Alerts lets you receive email notifications of new releases from your favorite artists, which is great. The trouble is that the link to tag an artist isn't easy to find.

There are two ways receive alert updates from a given artist. First, navigate to that artist's page (for example, here's Paramore's page). On the right hand side, you'll see "Alert Me." Click it, enter your account password and then click "OK."

The other method is from an album page. Here's the page for Paramore's album Brand New Eyes. Scroll down a bit and you'll see "Artist Alerts" under "More Paramore."

To manage your alerts, click your account name in the upper right-hand corner. Once you've entered your password, a new window appears. Scroll down a bit and click "Manage My Alerts." From there you can de-select certain artists or clear the entire list.

Have fun and spend less time checking up on your favorites manually.

Eminem's publisher, Eight Mile Style LLC, is preparing to go to trial against Apple this week over the rapper's iTunes sales, Reuters reports.

This comes just months after Eminem's production company, FBT Productions, lost its royalties case against Apple.

This is an on-going battle since 2007, when Eminem sued Apple claiming that his music was being sold through iTunes without his consent. Apple claims that the deal, done through Aftermath Entertainment with distributes Eminem's music, is not only legal, but Eminem is making money off of it. Aftermath Entertainment is also being included in the lawsuit.

Reuters says that if the two sides do not reach a deal, the trial will start on Thursday.

Eminem has also previously sued Apple over its use of "Lose Yourself" in an iTunes Store ad that aired in 2003.

[Via Apple Insider]

One of the key announcements to come out of Apple's "It's only rock and roll, but I like it" event on September 9th was iTunes LP. As implied in its name, iTunes LP seeks to provide a more rich album experience, something that has taken a backseat given the decline of physical albums.

iTunes LP includes features typically found on physical albums, such as liner notes and photos, as well as exclusive video content. One of the goals of iTunes LP is to resuscitate album sales, which have been struggling in the iTunes age of à la carte individual track sales. While iTunes LP provides a means to resuscitate the album, an album-based subscription service would further this goal even more.

For me, the most exciting feature of iTunes 9 is iTunes LP. As a kid, I read CD booklets cover to cover, looked at every photo, saw who played what instrument on what track and who wrote the songs. That's an experience I've missed since distribution went digital, but I've accepted it.

A couple of years ago, Apple added digital booklets to to the iTunes Store, and some of them were quite nice. But even the best don't compare to iTunes LP. Today I purchased the deluxe version of "Come Away With Me" by Norah Jones [iTunes link] and spent nearly 20 minutes exploring it, just like the old days.

The album contains a bonus track ("Peace"), but the real fun begins when you double-click the "Deluxe Version" file and you're presented with something that resembles a DVD menu. A simple animation draws Norah's name while the first few measures of "Come Away With Me" are heard. From there, you're set to explore.

This album has seven options: Play album, songs, memorabilia, photos, videos, liner notes and credits. The first two do what you'd expect, accompanied by photos and lyrics. The memorabilia feature surprised me with pictures of backstage passes, the tour calendar and a "quickie rundown" of events from the 45th Grammy Awards (Norah's appearances highlighted).

There are sixteen photos and four videos including -- surprise! -- Norah's appearance on Sesame Street (much to my 4-year-old's delight). Finally, the full liner notes, biography and album credits are included, each with beautiful photos.

Music fans will love this feature, as will fans of participating artists. It's not like holding a record jacket or CD booklet in your hand, but that's an unfair comparison anyway. Paper liner notes don't contain videos, photos of this size or some of the other goodies. iTunes LP is a very welcome treat.

Check out the gallery below for screenshots.

Update: The video of the keynote announcement is now linked off the front page of Apple.com.

Though the video of today's event is not yet on Apple.com (as of this writing -- though you can find it here), it has been added to Apple's official podcast. Even if you were underwhelmed by today's announcements, you don't want to miss Steve's return or the ovation he received. The video of today's press event is just over one hour and fourteen minutes long.

We'll be diving deep into the new features of iTunes 9 over the next 24 hours, so check back often. Until then, launch the stream and succumb to the Reality Distortion Field.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Buyer beware: one of the features that has silently disappeared from iTunes 9 is the Shopping Cart, where you used to be able to place songs, albums, videos, and apps for future purchase. It has been replaced with a new feature called "Wish List" that functions similarly to the old shopping cart, storing your potential purchases on iTunes's servers.

What's slightly sneaky about this is there's nothing apparently different from an end-user's perspective at first glance. Clicking "purchase" or "buy now" used to automatically place items in your shopping cart if you had that preference enabled, but now the behavior has been completely altered – now all purchases on the iTunes store are 1-click if you click the "Buy Now" button, and there's no way to cancel them once they start. So whether it's a $1.29 song or a $129 iPhone app, if you click that "Buy Now" button, you're getting charged.

If you want to emulate the old "shopping cart" purchase behavior, you have to instead click the arrow to the right of "Buy Now" and select "Add to Wish List."

A big thanks to the many readers who sent this tip in.

Update: If you had items in your shopping cart before updating to iTunes 9, they won't have disappeared. All of the items that used to be in your shopping cart in iTunes 8 or older should have migrated to the new Wish List in iTunes 9.

Apple's event is starting up right now, but in the meantime, they've (inadvertently) revealed iTunes 9 via a page over in iTunes. The new version of Apple's software will include quicker and easier navigation options (you can see the new top menu in the pic above), easy-to-access preview buttons, and new ways to experience media purchased in the store. iTunes LPs will let you have the full album experience with lyrics, liner notes, and band photos and videos, and iTunes Extras will allow you to experience DVD-style extras with movies you buy from the iTunes store.

Expect an announcement at the event in a few minutes -- there is a download link on the page, so we'll also expect to have the software up and running by the end of the day. Sounds exciting!

Update: More info coming out of the keynote right now: Genius mixes are a new way to hear Genius picks, mixed by a virtual DJ. Improved playlist syncing options, and a way to arrange your apps from directly within iTunes.

Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster is having a busy week. First, he predicted that the iPhone will go non-exclusive in the US by next year, and today he's suggesting that Steve Jobs will appear at Apple's September 9th press event.

We fully expect new iPods and iTunes next Wednesday, but Steve would be a surprise. We know that he's returned to work, but this would be his first public appearance as Apple's head since he took medical leave back in January. Depending on how he looks, a visit from Steve could nudge the stock up a notch or two.

It sure would be fun to see Steve, but we hope he's happy and healthy more than anything. In any case, we've got just over a week to wait. Keep your fingers crossed.

[Via AppleInsider]