Seems China has a habit of blocking web content that they do not agree with.

The latest news out of the country is that the Chinese government is now blocking access to the iTunes Store. Why? Well because of all the pro-Tibetan content of course!

Word is the Chinese government learned that Olympic athletes have been downloading an album called Songs for Tibet… which they obviously did not appreciate. My guess is they would frown upon the athletes downloading anything from The Dalai Lama Audiobook Collection.

My only question is… When is the Chinese government going to start blocking Mactropolis.com!?

[via iPodNN - Image Courtesy YoPeace.org]

written by Mr. Mayor \\ tags: Chinese Government, iTunes Store, Tibet

Lovers of the classic board game Monopoly will be happy to know that the game is now available as an iPod game. You can pick it up via the iTunes store for only $4.99.

The game features the classic board and pieces (I’ll take the car… or the top hat please). Control of the game is intuitive and easy… simply use the click-wheel to roll the dice, or to buy, sell and trade properties. You can play against the ‘iPod’ or play with up to 4 players…and you can even customize the rules to your own liking.

The game is getting good reviews so far in the iTunes store with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you’re a fan of the original… you might want to pick this one up.

Note: Monopoly will run on iPod nano third-generation, iPod classic and fifth-generation iPods only.

[via MacWorld]

written by Mr. Mayor \\ tags: iPod Games, iTunes Store, Monopoly

It is stated that Apple is currently in talks with HBO, the television network that made such shows like Deadwood, Entourage, Rome, Sex and the City, and The Sopranos, worldly famous. According to Portfolio publication, Apple will sell not only sell these popular shows, but also first-run original films. The publication also cites that the expected launch time will probably be within the one-to-two week time frame.

And if that wasn’t news enough, the deal is HBO (with parent company Time Warner) wants a bigger cut of the profits or wants to charge a different price for their products. Apple has typically only charged $1.99 on the US iTunes Store, so it is expected that the HBO shows/movies will cost the end user a little bit more.

This varied pricing could start a new trend, as it was only last week the UK iTunes Store started selling NBC/Universal programming at varied rates (which Apple has traditionally resisted), but this happened after the powerhouse (NBC) pulled it’s network shows from the US iTunes Store.

All-in-all, this new deal is thought to be mutually beneficial for all parties involved (Apple TV offers more for it’s users, and may even pull in some new ones, and HBO makes a little more revenue off it’s archived shows.)

Personally, I still do not own an Apple TV, nor have I yet to rent from the iTunes Store, but I expect someday I will rent from the website (I am a big Sex and the City fan.) Until that day, I will continue to watch the old fashion way — on my television!

[via iPodNN]

written by Girl-J \\ tags: HBO, iTunes Store, Time Warner