iTunes 12.4 Update to Feature Minor Redesign With New Sidebar, Improved Navigation

[MacRumors]

Back in February, iTunes chief Eddy Cue promised a new version of iTunes would be coming out with OS X 10.11.4, featuring a simpler design that makes Apple Music easier to use. That update wasn't included in OS X 10.11.4 and has been delayed, but a source has shared some screenshots of the upcoming iTunes 12.4 update with MacRumors, giving us a look at the changes Apple plans to introduce in the near future.

A redesigned dropdown media picker will be used to switch between Music, TV Shows, Movies, and other content, replacing the existing navigation icons. Like the current menu, the new menu is customizable, so sections of iTunes that are not used can be hidden from view. Forward and back buttons can be used to navigate between different sections.

A persistent sidebar located on the left side of the app is being added, which will make it easier to access different portions of an iTunes Library like specific songs or albums. The sidebar, like the menu bar, can be edited to show desired content, and songs can be dragged and dropped to playlists.

Menus in iTunes 12.4 are being simplified to make them easier to use, and the available content in Library can be customized using the redesigned View menu. Menus will be "easier to use" updated with new navigation options.

The mini player will also get some slight design changes, with the Up Next song feature being relocated to the right side of the player where it is more clearly visible.

It is not clear when Apple will debut iTunes 12.4, but our source says it should be released within in the next few weeks, putting a launch date in late May or early June.

Rumors have suggested Apple is also planning to introduce significant changes to Apple Music in the iOS Music app in iOS 10, and additional tweaks could be made to iTunes in OS X 10.12 to mirror changes being introduced in iOS 10.

Article Link: iTunes 12.4 Update to Feature Minor Redesign With New Sidebar, Improved Navigation

 

[JCrz]

Hopefully they got Taylor Swift's pre-approval.

 

[zahuh]

What has happened to Apple's UI team : (

 

[Slix]

Not sure without using it of course, but it seems that the persistent sidebar coming back is a good thing. For the most part though, my iTunes looks like it always did back in the day, with the menu on the left always there.

 

[Junior117]

Well, for those that wanted the sidebar to come back, you're getting your wish (if this rumour is true).

 

[AngerDanger]

They could make a spinning-wheel based UI that selects functions at random, and it would be nearly as usable as it is now. Any change is welcome, especially the reintroduction addition of a persistent sidebar.

 

[brianvictor7]

I like sidebars. They have great salad and beverages.

 

[ButteryScrollin]

some small improvements. Still needs to be burnt to the ground and rebuilt from scratch at this point.

The screenshot in the first screenshot has separate My Music and Apple Music playlists in the side bar.

 

[TheRainKing]

So basically they redesigned an app that was already fine, made everything worse, and now they're slowly changing it back.

 

[rockstarjoe]

Well I for one am glad that they are willing to backtrack on their poor design choice(s), starting with bringing back the sidebar. I hope they do something similar for Photos, which in my opinion is way worse than iTunes from a usability perspective.

 

[Paradoxally]

So basically they redesigned an app that was already fine, made everything worse, and now they're slowly changing it back.

Reminds me of the early versions of FCP X

 

[hfletcher]

The sidebar returns.

It only took them 2 years to realise their mistake...

 

[CanadianMacFan]

I don't see the playlists anymore. It currently is right beside "My Music" and had the side bar and allowed the column browser which is how I interact with the application. If they've taken that away I'm going to be really upset because I hate the interface from the other options.

 

[ScottishCaptain]

Neat.

So when's the colour and contrast going to return? This isn't the 1980s, we have wonderful things like bitmapped displays and RGB pixels now. It'd be nice if Apple realized this and started designing their GUIs with a bit of depth again.

-SC

 

[dannyyankou]

Will you look at that, Macrumors is getting exclusive information.

 

[Canubis]

Am I dreaming? Has Jony been sent to retirment? iTunes finally getting back the persistent sidebar? So maybe only some more waiting (2 or 3 version) and I can finally switch from iTunes 10.7…

 

[ButteryScrollin]

sidebar has been there the whole time, you just need to turn it on in the View menu.

 

[Canubis]

sidebar has been there the whole time, you just need to turn it on in the View menu.

The change here is a persistent sidebar. Since iTunes 12 the sidebar was only available for playlists.

 

[Dr.Chroma]

iTunes needs some refinement. I'm glad to see they are attempting to make some changes. Hopefully Apple Music will be completely overhauled, as it's horrendous. Then maybe I consider using my free 3 Month trial.

 

[Carlanga]

yawnnn, more bloatware on an already bloated software....

 

[tentales]

What has happened to Apple's UI team : (

Don't you know, they got fired when Scott Forstall was let go. Chief Jony took over.

 

[ButteryScrollin]

The change here is a persistent sidebar. Since iTunes 12 the sidebar was only available for playlist.

You're right. I only use that view, didn't realize it wasn't on the others.

 

[Michael Goff]

So if this is just a minor update, why bother?

 

[groovyd]

all those hotkey assignments are absolute garbage. how can anyone remember them?

 

[tentales]

iTunes needs some refinement. I'm glad to see they are attempting to make some changes. Hopefully Apple Music will be completely overhauled, as it's horrendous. Then maybe I consider using my free 3 Month trial.

Refinement ?
It was refined prior to iTunes 10, then bloatware & blandness (flat design) took over.
Now it needs separation between Store, Streaming & CMS. A bit like on iOS, where you have a separate iTunes store & music app, but more decluttering is needed on the OS X iTunes.