iTunes: 8 is great?
By Stephen WITHERS
I'd discounted the rumours that any new Macs would be revealed by Apple this week, but those tipping a new-look iPod nano and the 'Genius' feature in iTunes 8 were right on the money.
Maybe the reason the new nano ($A199) appeals to me is that it is more like an updated version of my well-used iPod mini (especially as it is available in aluminium) than anything else.
Image Courtesy of Apple
Something else I got right was that the reworked iPod touch is still more expensive than the iPhone - $US249 ($A329) vs $US199. Some pundits had suggested it would be cheaper than the upfront price of the phone to avoid "cannibalisation."
And what happened to the supposed "iTunes Unlimited" subscription music service that was tipped?
But this column is supposed to be about Mac, not iPod or iTunes. So what's in iTunes 8?
Genius playlists (automatically created lists of songs "that go great together") makes sense for those who like a degree of randomness without the complete anarchy of Shuffle. But I expect to turn off the Genius Sidebar that recommends songs that aren't already in the library - I can do without encouragement to spend more money!
So far, I've resisted the temptation to buy TV shows from the iTunes Store, largely because the relatively low definition wouldn't look too good on a 24in iMac screen when I'm used to watching free-to-air HD shows. Removing the previous restriction that HD versions could only be purchased from an Apple TV is a smart move, but the price of $A2.99 per episode still seems a disincentive. Make it 99c, and we might have a deal when I forget to record a show or - more commonly - the networks stuff me around by rescheduling or running a double episode (mumble, Channel 7, Heroes, grumble).
If you're downloading iTunes 8, grab QuickTIme 7.5.5 for its security fixes at the same time, along with Front Row 2.1.6 for compatibility with iTunes 8.
 Subscribe to Hydrapinion
|
|
Recent Posts
Trackback address for this post
Trackback URL (right click and copy shortcut/link location)
2 comments
Thanks
Luca
It's only an educated guess, but I wouldn't expect to see one until January.
But then you're asking someone who bought an iMac G5 with iSight less than two months before the first Intel iMacs arrived! You're bound to be a bit miffed if something like that happens, but you soon get over it. After all, you've still got what you paid for.
Comment feed for this post
One of Australia's most experienced IT writers, Stephen Withers has been using and writing about Macs since 1984. His journalistic resume includes stints as editor of Australian MacUser and as Macintosh section editor of PC Week. He has also managed a PC and Mac support operation at one of the country's leading universities, and is active in the Mac user group community.
