iTunes jumps the fence!

Thursday October 16, 2003 at 1:57 pm | Filed under Mac

iTunes is now available for Windows! I’m at work and I just downloaded it. It’s a great version and I think windows users of Winamp or MusicMatch (especially if you own an iPod) will quickly migrate to it.

Here’s a few quick points about iTunes for my windows friends out there to let you know what the big deal is:

    1. The interface for iTunes is flat out better than anything I’ve use before in an audio app, maybe in any app. It’s so simple, but so functional. Not only does it keep track of all kindsa stuff that is cool (like ratings, last time listened to, and how many times you’ve played the song) but it has an instant search feature that takes no time at all to filter your library to your liking.

    2. Then there’s the playlists and smart playlists. Oh man. These are the greatest. Playlists are just that, songs that you put in a playlist… ’nuff said. Smart playlists, on the other hand, are dynamic lists that kind of work like rules in a mail app. You can set up a Smart Playlist to show all songs from the year 1976, or all songs you’ve listened to in the last 20 days, or recently added songs to your library, or songs you’ve never listened to. The kicker is these smart playlists update as you add songs to your library! SWEET!

    3. iTunes has ripping and burning built in, with CDDB support so it’ll name all of your tunes correctly. There’ll be no more searching for the ultimate shareware app for this stuff. This is it.

    4. It’s got a Music Store built in it! This baby lets you browse tons of albums online and even listen to 30 second samples or each song. Gone are the days of trying to play samples of SOME tracks off of Amazon.com only to end up having to download plug-ins to get the thing to work. Another cool thing to do with the Music Store is to check on Tuesdays for new releases. You can hear 30 second clips of every track — and it even streams so there’s no waiting! not to mention it’s cheap. 99 cents a song or $9.99 for most albums.

    5. iTunes supports the new AAC (MP4) format, which is much better quality than MP3, so you don’t have to worry so much about loss of quality. All of you sound snobs that think MP3s sound like crap need to try out AAC.

    6. Instant sharing! If you have more than one computer on your network (MAC OR PC now) you can share your library with others that are using iTunes!

There’s tons more, but for crying out loud go get the thing and at least try it. The only downside I can think of is that it doesn’t have skins, but I don’t see that as anything you’d miss. iTunes is beautiful as is.

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No Responses to “iTunes jumps the fence!”

  1. Markie Mark Says:
    October 16th, 2003 at 2:16 pm

    What? Are you receiving kick backs from Apple? Or are you now switching to Pepsi products for the freebies?

    Joe, you’re right… this thing kicks major booty. Now, if only Apple could get their OS to run on x86.

    -mm

  2. Joe Says:
    October 16th, 2003 at 2:18 pm

    I don’t think I’m doing the Pespi thing, oustide of Mtn Dew, of course. I wish I got kickbacks from Apple! I also wish iTunes had come out for PC a long time ago. ;-)

  3. Margaret Says:
    October 17th, 2003 at 8:52 am

    You forgot to mention two new important features. The first is if you like Joe’s review and helpful information you can send him a Gift Certificate. Then the most important one is that Joe and Monique will have to setup the Allowance feature so they don’t over spend!!

    For commuters iTunes now has audiobooks. My favorite feature there is that my iPod (and iBook when synced) will remember where I left off.

  4. Jon Says:
    October 18th, 2003 at 3:03 pm

    I was just about to say that it sounded like it’s worth a try, but then I just read that it doesn’t support MP3Pro. So nevermind.

  5. Joe Says:
    October 18th, 2003 at 3:16 pm

    I don’t know much about that format, but I don’t have the ear you do either, so I’m not sure I’d notice the difference.

    Maybe you still might have a use for it for downloading new tunes from the music store, or at least listening to the samples?

    All I know is that iTunes kicks butt, and now it does it for Mac and Windows. I’m gonna go watch some VHS.

  6. Jon Says:
    October 21st, 2003 at 9:44 am

    I should give it a try to see what it really can and can not do for me.

  7. Joe Says:
    October 21st, 2003 at 4:29 pm

    That’s the spirit! Your old Apple IIe would be proud.