www.itunes.com download

Aha! So this is what all that seemingly puritanical deletion of vaguely boob-related iPhone apps was really all about: Apple is on the verge of approving an “Explicit” category for apps in iTunes. May cover e-books too.

There was much hand-wringing online about the way Apple just handled its purge of ever-so-slightly-adult-content apps on the App Store, and Phil Schiller even stepped in to weakly explain that Apple was getting complaints from women (meanwhile, leaving the Playboy app and apps objectifying men still on sale). Commentators wondered if Apple made a play for the education market squeaky-clean, or has been concerned about family image. I was going to write an article decrying the spirit of Apple, narrow, from my perspective as a European with a more carefree attitude towards issues such as the rose-pixel, and express my moral outrage at Apple squeamish.

But now everything is clear. Apple’s iTunes, which actually occurred in the phrase “members of the opposite sex is icky” stage of emotional development and accelerated puberty to accept the consequences of adult sexuality. CultofMac folk spotted that Apple’s added a new “Explicit” category in the bit of iTunes Connect for App Store submissions that plugs into the parental controls built into iPhones. MacRumors subsequently confirmed it, and notes it sits alongside the more usual categories like “books” and “entertainment.”

Clearly Apple’s business development team think along the same lines as my article arguing that one future driver for the iPad’s success will be porn. It’s just a fact of life. But there is an interesting participation in this new movement of Apple, of course: an “explicit” application can be anything from a portal to an adult content producer of cinema, theater, erotic fiction, a social networking tool.And once Apple’s embraced this sort of content…can we wonder if there’ll be naughty books in the iBooks app alongside adult videos in the iTunes Movie store? Not yet, I’d suggest. At least until Apple’s patented some clever iPhone/iPad tech that auto-detects if you’re over 18.

Apple has reached a high ranking in yet another customer service comparison, placing third in a BusinessWeek lineup. The company has won nearly 10 % in the scoring to reach the highest position of any computer manufacturer, with the retailer L.L. Bean holding the first place and the insurance company USAA coming in second.

Dell, in the 23rd position, is the only other computer manufacturers for inclusion in the top 25. The company was rated “B+” for quality of staff, with an “A-” for efficiency of service. In comparison, in each category Apple received an “A+”.

BusinessWeek began with survey data published by JD Power. The publication then surveyed its own readers to assess perceived friendliness, competency, overall impressions, and return policies for each company.

A Forrester survey last year, Apple also ranked at the top of the rankings of customer service among PC makers. The company fell behind in several other product categories, however, due to lackluster scores for iTunes and the iPhone. Apple’s lead in a recent reliability study has shrunk as competitors, like Asus, have shown significant gains.

Last month, the Financial Times published a report that Apple was in negotiations with suppliers of entertainment content standard definition sales of $ 1 per episode, half the regular price of $ 2.

I don’t watch TV. I like to keep my apartment bills low, and the Internet has so much to offer with free, streaming video alone. But you know what might get me to start purchasing shows again? Cheaper prices.

It turns out that these negotiations may have been a success. Thursday’s Financial Times claims that Apple agrees with an undetermined number of these suppliers to sell shows for a dollar.This new price point will take effect around the same time as the iPad’s launch—likely to be in late March—no doubt to help keep those TV viewing habits alive on a whole new screen.

Unfortunately, no mention was made of a new price for the media in high definition.The Financial Times speculates that, based on its own prior talks with media executives, this is to keep interest from spreading to the Apple TV. Old media is a bit shaky about ceding control of the television to anyone else, including Apple. Just ask the fine folks behind Boxee.

There’s also no word on if this $1 price will eventually be as widespread as DRM-free iTunes music, or if it’ll be as elusive as songs that sell for 79 cents.

Regardless, what seems like a small step today towards more affordable TV on iTunes may quickly snowball into something more. In that same article, the Financial Times tells of how Apple still hasn’t given up on the idea of a monthly, $30 subscription service that broadcasts only the best of TV on iTunes.

With the rental services allow customers to rent movies for $ 1 each, the decline in DVD sales, the low uptake of Blu-Ray and increased pressure transmission media services like YouTube, Vimeo, and blip.tv, Apple has some bargaining power on their side.

It’s all content providers, and how they feel comfortable with Apple. Traditional media have no other options for more. Hulu has been slow to make the jump to mobile devices (despite plans to branch out), and it’s hard to imagine that the rental-friendly Google will be willing to cut a better deal. If the providers of traditional, televised media can’t adapt to mobile devices and new media soon, NBC/Comcast won’t be the last ill-fitting acquisition that we’ll see.