Apple’s Lossless Audio Codec Goes Open Source

· by · News

Apple released its Lossless Audio Codec, or ALAC, as open source on Thursday, potentially opening the format to a wider audience. Apple began using the codec several years ago as a way to offer higher quality audio files at much smaller sizes compared to other audio formats.

Apple Lossless Codec goes Open SourceApple Lossless Codec goes Open Source

The Apple Lossless format was introduced in 2004 for the Mac and has carried over to iOS devices and most iPods, too. The format was reverse engineered several years ago, so it is already available through several other applications such as VLC and Boxee.

The codec sources are available under the Apache license. Developers interested in working with the ALAC codec can check out the Mac OS Forge Web site.

Jeff Gamet

Jeff Gamet

Jeff is the Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of "The Designer's Guide to Mac OS X" from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also co-hosts the We Have Communicators podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other podcasts, too. Jeff dreams in HD.

Sign Up for the Newsletter

Enter a valid email address

Join the TMO Express Daily Newsletter to get the latest Mac headlines in your e-mail every weekday.

Adding to list…

6 Comments Leave Your Own

Lee Dronick

potentially opening the format to a wider audience

As well opening the sources of quality music to the current audience.

veggiedude

FaceTime PLEASEEEE!!!

mhikl

Fantastic. Quality rocks, Lee, and nothing beats open doors. Veggiedude, As a carnivorous dude I may not appreciate your point.

Paul Goodwin

This is great news for the logievity of the format.

Brent Billman

Now they’ll call it Apple Free Lossless Audio Codec, or Afla… Hey! who let the duck in here?

Lee Dronick

Viaduct?

Add your comment

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?