Apple Deploys Web-Based 'iTunes Preview' Content

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/13/apple-deploys-web-based-itunes-preview-content/)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/11/13/110945-itunes_preview_listing_500.jpg

Macworld reports (http://www.macworld.com/article/143825/2009/11/itunes_preview.html) that Apple has quietly rolled out "iTunes Preview", a Web-based listing of iTunes Store content that allows users to browse the store's offerings without the need for an iTunes installed on their devices. While iTunes is still required for listening to song samples and purchasing content, the move to Web-based listings provides a convenient means for users to share links to iTunes content with others without depending on iTunes for viewing purposes.Apple has quietly launched iTunes Preview, a feature that shows what music is available on iTunes from the convenience of your Web browser. Yes, even Internet Explorer 6. iTunes Preview lets anyone browse through the entire iTunes catalog’s worth of music, info, and user reviews for any region.The report notes that the feature is currently available only for music content, and it is unclear if or when it will be extended to additional iTunes Store offerings.

Apple is currently offering access to the iTunes Preview in several locations on its iTunes pages, including a feature near the bottom of its "What's On" page (http://www.apple.com/itunes/whats-on/) and through its "iTunes Charts" page (http://www.apple.com/itunes/charts/songs/). Links copied directly from the iTunes Store will also reportedly generate corresponding iTunes Preview pages on systems where iTunes is not installed.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/11/13/110946-itunes_preview_pane_500.jpg


Article Link: Apple Deploys Web-Based 'iTunes Preview' Content (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/13/apple-deploys-web-based-itunes-preview-content/)

[windels]

looks very nice. hopefully after a wile they will be able to do more and more trough the web interface. and maybe shrink Itunes a little?

[wrldwzrd89]

This is interesting and an unexpected move on Apple's part. However, this is largely a good thing for Apple, as it expands accessibility - regardless of whether iTunes is installed or not. I like this. :)

[cogitodexter]

I'd much rather be able to bookmark things in iTunes itself - many's the time I've listened to something and decided to buy it later only to totally forget the name of the thing I listened to and never get round to finding it again.

[Jayomat]

good for others, nothing for me^^ good for apple however

[SirOmega]

Its nice, though on my mac it still opened iTunes anyways to that page.

Also, I still cant figure out the appeal of Owl City. Its been #1 at the music store for a week or two now...

[Rocketman]

I bet when it goes to the URL version of preview if iTunes is not present on the target device, it pops up a window saying download iTunes now. iTunes for Blackberry, Android? :)

Rocketman

[Eric S.]

You can see what's available but you can't purchase it? I guess I miss the point.

[Icaras]

You can see what's available but you can't purchase it? I guess I miss the point.

To attract new customers to iTunes?

[Lixivial]

It's a nice start.

I'd still like to see this become a first class citizen: an entirely browsable store with content that can be previewed and purchased straight from the browser. The purchasing is slightly less convenient as other web stores, due to the fact that iTunes is the hub between content and devices, but it'd still be nice regardless. Especially for those who don't happen to use an iPod/iPhone, but whose player can still play m4a content.

[Icaras]

It's a nice start.

I'd still like to see this become a first class citizen: an entirely browsable store with content that can be previewed and purchased straight from the browser. The purchasing is slightly less convenient as other web stores, due to the fact that iTunes is the hub between content and devices, but it'd still be nice regardless. Especially for those who don't happen to use an iPod/iPhone, but whose player can still play m4a content.

I don't see that happening. How then, will iTunes manage your content if you're able to control the location of the file saved?

Also, just curious, what other devices do play m4a content?

[Eric S.]

To attract new customers to iTunes?

Well like Rocketman said, hopefully there's an immediate option to download iTunes. Otherwise it's too complicated for most people.

[CommodityFetish]

This is no doubt a response to Google's new music search features. See this post on the Google Blog from October 28, 2009:
Google: "Making Search More Musical (http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/making-search-more-musical.html)

If people start using Google's search engine to find audio content (as Google hopes they will), then Apple wants iTunes to be in the search results too.

;)

[AgingGeek]

I'd much rather be able to bookmark things in iTunes itself - many's the time I've listened to something and decided to buy it later only to totally forget the name of the thing I listened to and never get round to finding it again.

Create a playlist, then drag the songs you want to that playlist, it will maintain a link to the store for you.

i keep several of these around with names like "Xmas_wishlist".

Or you could just use the now standard iTunes wishlist.

[Lixivial]

I don't see that happening. How then, will iTunes manage your content if you're able to control the location of the file saved?

The point is for those who want to access iTunes' large library, which may have titles that are not accessible elsewhere. The entire point is shifting focus from the application/device to the content.

Of course, I didn't say replace the application's built-in store browser; I simply said augment the current store to also accommodate web browsers. There are people who loathe iTunes and many have justifiable reasons. To require an almost 80-90 megabyte download simply to access a store seems to be slightly ridiculous.

Likewise, whether or not it'll actually happen, yes, I'm quite confident that you're right. Apple choose to focus on the experience, and until that fails, I don't see it changing much. Thus why I said, "I'd like to see..."

Also, just curious, what other devices do play m4a content?

Zune? Zen? PSP? Pre? Droid?

[Bubba Satori]

To attract new customers to iTunes?

That wasn't too difficult, was it ? :D

Good move by Apple. :apple:

[nagromme]

On my secondary machine, I really like this. On my main machine, I just want iTunes links to go to iTunes without some other window I have to click in and then close.

Solution: I’d like them to have a button and a cookie that let you choose the old direct method if you prefer, on a machine-by-machine basis.

[Freis968]

I actually ran across this last night by accident after clicking on my iTunes link on my website promoting my album. It is neat discovering these little things prior to them being released. I thought something looked a bit weird at first because it usually just opened up iTunes on my computer, so the preview is pretty cool...I like it.

[j33pd0g]

I saw this happening last week (maybe even 1-2 weeks ago) when testing if my bands iTunes link was working. For some reason, it didn't occur to me that I should probably post about it.

[Chevere]

So I was thinking this great cause I can not load iTunes on my work computer. But guess what they also block the iTunes URL. Great idea though.

[Prof.]

I noticed this a few days ago. I wonder if Apple will launch a web-based iTunes store.

[e-coli]

Yawn. What's the point of this?

lala (http://www.lala.com/) FTW.

iTunes needs to be cloud-based.

[mrklaw]

You can see what's available but you can't purchase it? I guess I miss the point.

if this means fewer, incredibly annoying phobos links in blogs etc then it'll be worth it. I hate clicking on a link expecting to be taken to another web page to find more information, and it launches damn itunes all the time.

[e-coli]

if this means fewer, incredibly annoying phobos links in blogs etc then it'll be worth it. I hate clicking on a link expecting to be taken to another web page to find more information, and it launches damn itunes all the time.

Umm...did you happen to notice that literally everything you click on this iTunes web page removes you from the browser and opens itunes?

[Icaras]

Well like Rocketman said, hopefully there's an immediate option to download iTunes. Otherwise it's too complicated for most people.

Yea, as long as there are no intermediary steps and Apple can make it as seamless as possible.

iTunes needs to be cloud-based.

Or do that too :D


The point is for those who want to access iTunes' large library, which may have titles that are not accessible elsewhere. The entire point is shifting focus from the application/device to the content.

Of course, I didn't say replace the application's built-in store browser; I simply said augment the current store to also accommodate web browsers. There are people who loathe iTunes and many have justifiable reasons. To require an almost 80-90 megabyte download simply to access a store seems to be slightly ridiculous.

Likewise, whether or not it'll actually happen, yes, I'm quite confident that you're right. Apple choose to focus on the experience, and until that fails, I don't see it changing much. Thus why I said, "I'd like to see..."

Damn, is iTunes really that large? I never paid attention when downloading :o

Maybe in the immediate future, iTunes will persevere as the app that it is today, but you have a point, about bringing the store to the masses, and theres no way better to do that than making it web based. So I guess we can only just wait and see.


Zune? Zen? PSP? Pre? Droid?

Ha, sorry I did not know. But I had always thought Zune, of all devices, being MS, would NOT support AAC files. Cool though.

That wasn't too difficult, was it ? :D

Good move by Apple. :apple:

Yea, I think so too. It definitely gives Apple another means to market.

[birch25]

I'd much rather be able to bookmark things in iTunes itself - many's the time I've listened to something and decided to buy it later only to totally forget the name of the thing I listened to and never get round to finding it again.

You should try using the shopping cart :)

[rhett7660]

This is no doubt a response to Google's new music search features. See this post on the Google Blog from October 28, 2009:
Google: "Making Search More Musical (http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/making-search-more-musical.html)

If people start using Google's search engine to find audio content (as Google hopes they will), then Apple wants iTunes to be in the search results too.

;)


We may have a winner... this is my thoughts exactly. Why leave out the biggest internet store! Lets have all of our stuff on the list also!!!!

[paulbeattie87]

This has been out for a while, I've used it before. Kinda neat how they managed to keep the play button even in the browser.

[synth3tik]

I noticed this the other day while I was testing links on my webpage. Pretty cool I must say. It helps make everything look a little more thought out.

[SandynJosh]

I'd much rather be able to bookmark things in iTunes itself - many's the time I've listened to something and decided to buy it later only to totally forget the name of the thing I listened to and never get round to finding it again.

you've been offered several good ways to get around not being able to bookmark. None of the suggested solutions help if a person is trying to narrow down the versions of a single song to one version for purchase.

There can often be two dozen versions of a song; some may be different instrumentals and some by male or female vocalists. Being able to tag those being considered would help the sorting process a lot.

[jon86]

... lala (http://www.lala.com/) FTW. ...

It looks like lala does not support listening from anywhere but USA.

[seater23]

hasn't Microsoft had this for some time now with Zune.net? Just wondering if there is a difference or if they are providing the same services.

[timbck2]

Damn, is iTunes really that large? I never paid attention when downloading :o

It is when Quicktime is included with it.

[spillproof]

When I came across this last week, I hated it. For me, at an iTunes user, this new page is useless to me and annoying because when I click on the links from the My Alerts emails I get this page and have to click another link to go directly to iTunes. I know, one more click is not a big deal but I understand what they are trying to do (make more money to invest in stores and amazing products :)).

[MD5Hash]

On one hand...almost everyone knows and (is forced to) use iTunes or Quicktime for something or another, so I don't see this this exactly exploding the market.

On the other hand though...would it really kill them to stick real webpages, with real audio, graphical, and text content...with some Flash-powered music preview clips? I mean, it worked for Amazon and that won me as a loyal customer.

Heck, it could still then tie into their accounting system so that people could buy items on their accounts while they're away from their primary computers, and just download through a browser like anything else.

Not that it matters to me; I haven't bought anything from the iTunes store since...oh, about when they released Amazon MP3. I'll take my music in a non-proprietary file wrapper, thanks.

[harlinator]

It has a category for rap but not metal... WTF? What the heck is going on here? Give a kid a computer and they go gaga over it he he. Synthetic stuff is more popular than real music made and played by real humans... It's TRUE.. the end is coming when this kind of nonsense is in the limelight!
Yeah, go watch them mumble to background sequences... LAME!
What happened to LIVE music?

[Flyinsquirrel]

Not that it matters to me; I haven't bought anything from the iTunes store since...oh, about when they released Amazon MP3. I'll take my music in a non-proprietary file wrapper, thanks.
I like Amazon's music store a lot but MP3 is a proprietary format, don't kid yourself. That is why Linux distributions typically don't ship with MP3 support out of the box.

No licenses are required to stream or distribute in AAC format and all music in the iTunes store is DRM free and you can easily right click and convert it to MP3 in iTunes. That being said if I didn't have an iPod touch, Amazon MP3 would be my first choice.

Not trying to make a convert here I just like to fix incorrect information.

[scottness]

I guess it's for Windowers that don't have iTunes already.

[KristenM]

If I'm understanding what this does correctly, this is great.
Sometimes I'll be browsing a review online and want to hear a sample or read more about it and if you click on the link, it has to open iTunes and after waiting for the store to load, then you can finally get to what you were looking for. This would be a huge time saver if it's all web based.

[Littlewizkid]

Does This mean Ubuntu support anytime soon?:confused:
Apple iTunes is a very nice media orginizer and my sister really wants it on her PC as many other Linux users do, i guess she will have to stick with Places for media until then:(

[mrklaw]

Umm...did you happen to notice that literally everything you click on this iTunes web page removes you from the browser and opens itunes?

There is a big difference in context. If I click on a track in an 'itunes store preview' page like that, I kind of expect/understand that it'll open the real itunes.

But when I click on an obfuscated link in a blog - eg 'check out XYZs new song' I don't expect it to launch itunes - its just another weblink in a browser.

[CommodityFetish]

On the other hand though...would it really kill them to stick real webpages, with real audio, graphical, and text content...with some Flash-powered music preview clips? I mean, it worked for Amazon and that won me as a loyal customer.

Heck, it could still then tie into their accounting system so that people could buy items on their accounts while they're away from their primary computers, and just download through a browser like anything else.

I bet that they will soon add their 30 second audio previews to this, to match what you now get with Google's search. But I doubt they'd let you make a purchase without the iTunes app though. Maybe at some point in the distant future, if the browser-based-store competition heats up on them.

(The fact that this is just for music in the iTunes store also supports that it is an answer to Google's music search.)

[twoodcc]

nice. i like this better than having to go thru itunes. i hope they expand this

[Xian Zhu Xuande]

Also, I still cant figure out the appeal of Owl City. Its been #1 at the music store for a week or two now...
Read the reviews. I guess it is a complete rip-off of another artist?
In any case, I can agree with one common complaint about Owl City. The lyrics really are meaningless, and any vocal talent present is entirely the product of computers. Some of the other songs are utterly horrible. But when I first heard the single, I did enjoy it.