iTunes 9 Rumors

I’ve been seeing some screenshots around the web regarding the next version of iTunes expected to be announced at Apple’s September event.  Though this event has been predictable each year, it has yet to be officially announced at the time of this post.  One of the features that interests me is the social networking  aspects.  Nothing specific was mentioned but ties to Facebook were evident in the screenshots, which makes me wonder if they would have iTunes able to update your status with what is currently playing.  That is a fairly simple example that is mimicked in IM clients.  I would like to see them really push the potential and perhaps have you able to stream your library or set playlists with Facebook friends as you can with people on your own LAN, just now over the Internet with select people you choose.  That would be something truly innovative and really add a lot to the way we discover and enjoy music.

Blizzcon wrap-up

The dust has settled and the rumors behind the next World of Warcraft expansion (Cataclysm) are true.  Naturally there was much excitement even before Blizzcon and the last few days have been full of the glee of all the fans and the cries from those worried about the many changes that are lined up.

Some of those highlights are below, as you can imagine the full list of announced features and changes is extensive so be sure to check out http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/.

• New Alliance race:  Worgen
• New Horde race:  Goblins
• New class/race combinations (Human Hunter, Orc Mage, etc.)
• Rated battlegrounds
• Flying mounts in Azeroth
• Azeroth has been redesigned in the wake of the Cataclysm
• Deathwing is the new chief villain of the expansion
• Level cap raised to 85

Deathwing has returned from beneath the earth and in his return caused massive upheavals that have reshaped much of Azeroth in a chaotic disaster.  Blizzard is taking this opportunity to visit the old world once again reinvigorating the sense of nostalgia that many fans still have.  The last two expansions have relegated the old world to early character leveling and the Auction House, Blizzard wanted that to change and I feel that they have the right formula to make that happen based on what I’ve seen.

This expansion is the most bold endeavor that the game has seen, from reimagining Azeroth to changing fundamental aspects of how the game works as well as character development (talents, mastery system, path of the titans).  Personally I feel that though this expansion will be revisiting the old world there will be more than enough new content to keep people happy especially since Blizzard has stated that they kept the level cap at 85 (only 5 new levels) in order to make it less of a chore to reach end game content, which will be a focus of this expansion.