So from what I can see, it looks like Apple & AOL have just launched some sort of integration on iTunes.

If you have not loaded up iTunes for a while, might I suggest you do so. You will now be greeted with the ugly AOL logo, listed below the Apple logo.

Just login as you normally would; from what I can see, this doesn’t affect me personally as I don’t use AOL (who does?).

Anyway, so after digging around the trusty interwebs I came across this press release:

AOL Members Now Have Instant Access to Apple’s iTunes Music Store

Exclusive AOL Recordings Now Available on iTunes Music Store

“DULLES, Virginia and CUPERTINO, California—December 18, 2003—America Online, Inc. and Apple® today announced that AOL members can now preview, purchase and download songs available on AOL Music, the world’s number one music destination, by simply clicking an iTunes® button placed next to featured tracks. The iTunes button will immediately launch Apple’s iTunes Music Store, the world’s number one download music service, and automatically select the featured track for preview or one-click purchase and download. In addition, AOL members can use their AOL Wallet or card-on-file to conveniently purchase and download songs from iTunes. Starting today, AOL is also offering iTunes Music Store customers the opportunity to purchase exclusive and original music from its popular music programs Sessions@AOL and Broadband Rocks.”

“Now for the first time millions of music fans on AOL, who watch their favorite artists perform in an intimate studio setting on Sessions@AOL, have the option to purchase the song digitally via iTunes and then download it right to their iPod,” said Evan Harrison, vice president and general manager, AOL Music.

source: Apple“

Nice!

I question why Apple would actually include the AOL link in iTunes for customers that are outside of the US, but after a second glance at the article, it looks like Australia customers now have access to AOL’s “Sessions@AOL” area.

As someone who loves watching the AOL Sessions videos on YouTube and various other sources, I’m pretty excited by this!

Now I can watch them on my iPhone (if I’m correct?) – please correct me if I’m wrong.

If there’s any other bonuses that I’ve missed out, feel free to let me know and I’ll update this blog post.

Have a cracka-lacking day!

- Paul.