iTunes – 12 Days of Christmas

So, all the relatives have gone home and it’s back to work for most of us.
That also means that Apple have brought to a close the free offerings from 12 Days.


The mix this year was interesting, heavy slant on music as expected but also some interesting apps, books and videos.

1. Music:

Excluding the four Music Videos there were six tracks presented from three artists.

Maroon 5	Moves Like Jagger	🌟🌟🌟💢💢
Maroon 5	One More Night	🌟🌟🌟💢💢
Ed Sheeran	Drunk	🌟🌟🌟💢💢
Ed Sheeran	Small Bump	🌟🌟🌟💢💢
Ed Sheeran	The Coty	🌟🌟🌟💢💢
The XX	Sunset	🌟🌟🌟💢💢

I was astonishing consistent with the ratings there. The real problem that I have with these is that they are all, without exception, either Live or Remix versions.
Something always turns up from the iTunes Festival so the Ed Sheeran stuff was expected, but never any original album stuff.
Even this wouldn’t be a negative for some. For the hard core fan a variant is exactly what they are looking for.
The XX surprised me a little and I might listen to more of their stuff at some point.

2. Videos:

Four music videos, an episode from a TV series and two shorts present a fair amount of video output.

Maroon 5	Moves like Jagger	🌟🌟🌟💢💢
The XX	Angels	🌟🌟🌟💢💢
The XX	Chained	🌟🌟🌟💢💢
One Direction	Little Things	🌟🌟💢💢💢
Sherlock	A study in pink	🌟🌟🌟🌟💢
Toy Story Toons	Hawaiian Vacation	🌟🌟🌟🌟💢
Toy Story Toons	Small Fry	🌟🌟🌟🌟💢

Obviously that’s a lot of music videos. The short ‘making of‘ video from Maroon 5 is easily the most disappointing. The Toy Story and Sherlock videos very welcome.
The mix is okay, perhaps if you’re doing a music video a welcome approach would be a full concert. But we have to remember – all the time – this stuff is being given free! Also I’d prefer the just the music – not video. Video takes up too much room on the device.
Sherlock, although part of a TV series stands as a feature film really, being entirely complete in itself. Good stuff.

3. Books:

Just two books included. Both will be popular with specific readerships.

Marian Keyes	Rachel’s Holiday	🌟🌟🌟💢💢
Ken Follett	The Pillars of the Earth	🌟🌟🌟💢💢

The books are welcome and well outside my comfort zone.
So much anger was aimed at Apple for including books! Really, make some time and expand your horizons. At least stop looking at your own feet.

4. Apps:

First Touch Games	Score	🌟🌟🌟🌟💢
Sega	Sonic Jump	🌟🌟🌟🌟💢
ditter.projektagentur	The Photo Cookbook – Quick & Easy	🌟🌟🌟🌟💢
Gameloft	Shark Dash	🌟🌟🌟🌟💢

Of course, Apple are never going to win everyone over. No one us going to like every gift either. But gifts they are, free for all,and they should accepted with the same grace as the socks from Auntie Esther, the home made bobble hat from you young niece or (heaven help us) the DVD collection of Russell Brandt’s best stand up moments. Shudder