Apple plans big changes in iTunes

TECHNOLOGY

ITunes changes

Apple plans an overhaul of iTunes that would mark one of the largest changes to the world's biggest music store since its 2003 premiere, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter.

Apple will unveil the changes by year's end, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans aren't public. The company will more closely integrate its iCloud file-storage service with iTunes so users can more seamlessly access and manage their music, videos and downloaded software apps across different Apple gadgets, the people said. Apple also plans new features for sharing music, the people said.

ITunes has been critical to Apple's success over the past nine years, generating revenue of almost $1.9 billion last quarter alone as well as tethering users to a widening family of Apple products.

A spokesman for the Cupertino company declined to comment.

Kindle games

Amazon.com will make it easier for developers to add social features to games for the Kindle Fire tablet, a person with knowledge of the matter said, working to narrow Apple's lead in the market for tablets.

The world's largest online retailer plans to release tools for digital-game makers by the end of July, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the plans aren't public. Developers will be able to add a broader range of features, including tracking high scores and monitoring awards won while playing games, the person said.

Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos is rushing to make Kindle games more alluring to help Amazon increase sales of the devices, which hold 17 percent of the $66.4 billion tablet market, compared with 55 percent for Apple's iPad.

PHARMACEUTICALS

Anthera drops

Anthera Pharmaceuticals Inc. declined the most since its March 2010 initial public offering Thursday after saying its experimental lupus drug didn't meet the goal of a clinical test.

Anthera fell 71 percent to 80 cents at the market's close Thursday, the biggest intraday drop since it first offered shares to the public.

The results of the mid-stage trial show the medication, known as blisibimod, acted differently on patients depending on the severity and type of their disease, the Hayward company said Wednesday.

Blisibimod, the company's leading experimental medicine, trails Benlysta from Human Genome Sciences Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline PLC, which was approved last year as the first new drug in 52 years for lupus, an autoimmune disease. The company said it will proceed with a Phase 3 trial.

Source: http://feeds.sfgate.com/click.phdo?i=7ce54884cf1e6b6fc0196fe9857ea454

angelman syndrome total recall troy tulowitzki katie couric good morning america the rock vs john cena acm awards 2012 january jones