DailyTech - Apple Announces 7th-Gen iTunes

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Software Apple Announces 7th-Gen iTunes
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - September 12, 2006 1:39 PM

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22 comment(s) - last by Pirks.. on Sep 14 at 1:37 PM

Apple updates its slick audio/video manager

At its special invitational-only conference today, Apple announced several new products that include refreshes to its iPod family. Along with the iPod, Apple is also introducing a new version of its popular iTunes software. Available for both OS X and Windows XP, iTunes version 7 will include three new expanded views for managing songs and videos. List view, album view and cover-flow view are new to iTunes and integrates album art along with song information for quick searching. iTunes will also now download album cover art for free if users have an iTunes account.

One of the biggest features of the new iTunes software is that users will now be allowed to sync their iPods to different computers. As long as the user owns the account and authorization on the computers, their iPod will no longer be wiped.

The new iTunes will also support new H.264 encoded videos. Apple says that videos downloaded through iTunes will now be encoded at 640x480 instead of the previous 320x240 resolution. Increased resolution is definitely a step forward for Apple because today, Apple is announcing that its iTunes service will now offer full-length feature films.

iTunes version 7 is available free for download today from Apple.

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another itunes?

By SurreDeth on 9/12/2006 2:32:58 PM , Rating: 2

Windows XP 64bit Pro support would be nice this time around.

RE: another itunes?

By danz32 on 9/12/2006 3:03:56 PM , Rating: 5

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/med...

Looks a little bit like Windows Media Player's 11 layout to me.

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RE: another itunes?

By headbox on 9/13/2006 4:50:22 AM , Rating: 2

You are Mr. Backwards.

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RE: another itunes?

By Flunk on 9/13/2006 4:55:51 PM , Rating: 2

Actually the first Windows Media Player with library functionality (WMP 7) launched before iTunes. Also the first media player featureing a media library (and a layout much like that of WMP or iTunes) was RealJukebox from Real Networks so give credit where it is due. Apple and MS both ripped off Real in design and function.

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RE: another itunes?

By AbelIAN on 9/13/2006 2:57:09 PM , Rating: 2

So? Apple of course realized that one of the new views is like WMP11. That's why the other new view, which IMO is better, was added in. It's not like they ripped off the entire setup and did nothing to innovate *cough* Zune *cough*.

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I missed the first 6 already?

By retrospooty on 9/12/2006 3:21:02 PM , Rating: 2

Where have I been? I guess I will miss the 7th as well. LOL

RE: I missed the first 6 already?

By Pirks on 9/12/2006 3:36:52 PM , Rating: 1

hey retro why dontcha spend some time thinking about the answer to my question about three XP counter features from another thread instead of old style bashing here, huh? ;)

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RE: I missed the first 6 already?

By retrospooty on 9/13/2006 1:01:34 AM , Rating: 2

There I did a top 10 list for ya :D

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RE: I missed the first 6 already?

By Pirks on 9/13/2006 2:31:42 PM , Rating: 1

nice try, but you missed one interesting and important detail in my question - check it out ;)

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RE: I missed the first 6 already?

By retrospooty on 9/13/2006 8:43:23 PM , Rating: 2

Bah... I made my points. You can agree or disagree and purchase what you like, in the end both are very similar and both have good and bad points, its all about personal preference. I just get a little fried when I hear how superior Macs are. They are not, just different in minor ways.

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RE: I missed the first 6 already?

By Pirks on 9/14/2006 1:37:19 PM , Rating: 1

hey, luxury cars also different in minor ways - who cares about that massaging heated soft leather seat and parallel autoparking stuff, right? right?? ;))

yeah, I agree - it all depends on how you look into this. I too sometimes say "bah those lexuses are drap, they're just overpriced boxes, who'd buy them when they can buy much faster ford for same money". sometimes I say the opposite - depends on who's side I'm on. like chameleon I am :)

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First Bug

By Gamingphreek on 9/12/2006 5:41:47 PM , Rating: 2

So i found a bug.

You cannot use the Audio Volume Bar in Itunes itself. If you adjust it using that Volume bar it distorts the sound beyond recognition. It has to remain maxed out to get the actual sound.

-Kevin

RE: First Bug

By Hare on 9/13/2006 4:41:29 AM , Rating: 2

No bug. You have a problem with your soundcard. Works perfectly fine here (onboard intel azalia and m-audio soundcard).

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RE: First Bug

By ebenezvm on 9/13/2006 10:31:55 AM , Rating: 2

No Hare, It just happens to work with your soudncard. It plays distorted on both of my systems too...

Both Realtek AC'97 audio chipsets. 6.x.x Plays fine on them, so it looks like a software issue to me.

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multiple computers

By Mojo the Monkey on 9/12/2006 4:23:00 PM , Rating: 2

I am actually excited about this update (unlike the previous, unmemorable updates) because of the multi-computer support. As a user with a pc and a laptop, its frustrating deciding which computer to make my ipod "home", depending on which I am using more in a given time period.

Next, I would like to see apple unlock downloading song FROM your ipod. It would be nice not to have to back everything up through external methods. I know they have DRM paranoia... just a suggestion though.

Still laggy and unresponsive?

By JSK on 9/13/2006 3:17:24 AM , Rating: 2

I am using a pretty solid machine. Yet my biggest complaint about itunes and using it with my 60GB video is how "laggy" the program feels.

I hate how its totally unresponsive when docking with your ipod, or when its updating songs, etc. Plus that fact that switching to various playlists, or the podcast section, or the itunes store which i dont really use all seems like playing counter strike on a laggy server with a 200ms ping.

Can apple please work on this apps overall feel? Other than that it has really grown on me. Especially the instant search which I couldnt do without. I dont even update my ipod that much because I hate dealing with itunes.

Download?

By SexyK on 9/12/2006 2:11:36 PM , Rating: 2

Doesn't seem like iTunes 7 is up on the Apple site yet, do you have a link?

RE: Download?

By SakuraChan on 9/12/06, Rating: -1

Next day perhaps ^__^

By SakuraChan on 9/12/06, Rating: -1

RE: Next day perhaps ^__^

By Hare on 9/13/2006 4:43:03 AM , Rating: 2

I think they should launch YOU to outer space? Every single news is filled with your ^__^ tihihi comments. How many preview buttons and captchas would it take to stop you?

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RE: Next day perhaps ^__^

By Chillin1248

(blog) on 9/13/2006 6:33:42 AM , Rating: 2

I readily concur, this guy is nothing but a troll/spammer and if DailyTech could please ban him to make the comment section a cleaner place.

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RE: Next day perhaps ^__^

By Mojo the Monkey on 9/13/2006 2:30:38 PM , Rating: 2

I second that motion.

On topic: has anyone had any stability issues with the new iTunes? It crashed on my computer once, 15 min after install. It hasnt done it again though. Perhaps a fluke.

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