Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iTunes 12.4 Update to Feature Minor Redesign With New Sidebar, Improved Navigation
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It seems people are slagging Apple off left, right and centre at the minute. What's wrong with it?
If you could do a better job, by all means, go ahead and apply for a job. I expect to see your work next year.
Bold:
No it wasn't, it was by far the best music player before when it was just that, a music player.
Why have a drop-down list AND a sidebar AND a top bar? Just have a sidebar that contains all the stupid things you'd put in the dropdown list, like older versions of iTunes, like this:
What was wrong with being able to have everything in the sidebar? Now you have a drop-down menu in the top left, a sidebar, and idiotic buttons at the top. You have "Music" in the drop-down menu, "My Music" at the top (what the hell is the difference?), and "Artists" in the sidebar (again, isn't all music made by artists? Why the redundancy?). Why not just have a category in the sidebar called "Music", under which there is everything related to music, so that it makes sense. It seems to be incredibly difficult for Apple to figure this out.
Also I hope the random "Could not complete your request" error message that keeps coming up every 10 minutes will be fixed, because until then I'm not even opening iTunes.
What was wrong with being able to have everything in the sidebar? Now you have a drop-down menu in the top left, a sidebar, and idiotic buttons at the top. You have "Music" in the drop-down menu, "My Music" at the top (what the hell is the difference?), and "Artists" in the sidebar (again, isn't all music made by artists? Why the redundancy?). Why not just have a category in the sidebar called "Music", under which there is everything related to music, so that it makes sense. It seems to be incredibly difficult for Apple to figure this out.
Also I hope the random "Could not complete your request" error message that keeps coming up every 10 minutes will be fixed, because until then I'm not even opening iTunes.
Finally! I'm so glad they are changing some things back to how it used to be. Hopefully they will fix the terrible photos app, too.
Apple has used iTunes as a platform for UI experiments for a while, and it appears the trend continues
That's one of the main problems with current UI design -- the compulsive need to minimize chrome, hide controls, or leave them visible, but indecipherable; sacrificing function for aesthetics and "simplicity" (some would say dumbed down, catering to lowest common denominator users, etc.)
My computer experience began with the command line, and I have no fear of exploring or learning an interface, but it seems that most I encounter now are akin to puzzles, or treasure hunts, requiring effort to do anything beyond the most basic of functions...and it's tiresome.
But if they're bringing back the sidebar, even as a half measure, maybe they'll revert to the superior Get Info dialog from older versions.
That's one of the main problems with current UI design -- the compulsive need to minimize chrome, hide controls, or leave them visible, but indecipherable; sacrificing function for aesthetics and "simplicity" (some would say dumbed down, catering to lowest common denominator users, etc.)
My computer experience began with the command line, and I have no fear of exploring or learning an interface, but it seems that most I encounter now are akin to puzzles, or treasure hunts, requiring effort to do anything beyond the most basic of functions...and it's tiresome.
But if they're bringing back the sidebar, even as a half measure, maybe they'll revert to the superior Get Info dialog from older versions.
iTunes 12.4 may be released along with iOS 9.3.2 OS X and WatchOS updates, the final versions may drop early next week
They need to realise that music with Apple isn't simple and simplifying UI is only going to make matters worse. They need to confront that fact that potentially a user has the following music available to them...
Rips and 3rd party purchases
The above 'Matched' in the ether somewhere
iTunes purchases stored locally
iTunes purchases not downloaded but available to download.
unpurchased Apple Music songs in the users's iCloud Music Library
unpurchased Apple Music songs stored locally and DRMed
The complete Apple Music catalog.
Apple has been trying and failing miserably to gloss over these vital distinctions and creating a mess in the process. Tinkering isn't going to fix it.
Last edited:
Why so much critism you ask? People, myself included, probably expect much more from such highly paid executives. They are where they are through a combination of smarts, very hard work and good fortune (no pun intended).
Could many, many others do a better job? Absolutely. They will never get the chance. The Apple execs **** smells just like everyone else, they aren't special.
All organisations fail or thrive because of relatively few leaders within. Good leaders can make a difference but the bad ones totally destroy - morale, engagement, performance, and they only hire those who are either out of the same mold or are not a threat to their incompetence. You come from the UK? Look at their health service, awash with appallingly bad managers and yet you can only get a management job in the NHS if you are already a manager in the NHS - self fulfilling death spiral.
Ever wondered - if the Apple execs want to make a difference and change the world why is it they don't leave after a few years and put all their "talent" and money into something new, exciting, different?
Whew! That design is hideous... It was cutting edge back in the day but now?... Yikes!!!! Don't need to go too far back. I think Apple should start from scratch and design what they think iTunes should be and not worry too much about what it is now.
[doublepost=1462616450][/doublepost]
You are right it does do too much. It's like they tried to combine all of the media apps into one. It probably shouldn't be called iTunes though... they should name it something else so it's not stuck with the stink of iTunes design decay.
[doublepost=1462616597][/doublepost]
The reason is sometimes you want to buy the songs and not just stream them.
iTunes has become a toaster fridge of software. it needs a complete rewrite from the ground up to refocus it on what it's supposed to do. In my opinion they should remove iOS device sync features, remove connect (Who still uses those anyways), and streamline their Apple Music interface.
If still needed, the sync feature would be much better off in a standalone sync app for those 10s of people who still sync their iOS device to iTunes.
Same goes for the iOS music app I'm my opinion - bin it and start again.
If still needed, the sync feature would be much better off in a standalone sync app for those 10s of people who still sync their iOS device to iTunes.
Same goes for the iOS music app I'm my opinion - bin it and start again.
So I assume it will still be bloated but just recycling old features. Now that's innovation! (with apologies to Mr. Schiller "my a$$"!) It's still 25 pounds of dung forced into a 5 pound bag IMO.
With each passing year I think Cook's team is more and more unimpressive: slow to market, lacking attention to detail and even giving two f's about its customers.
With each passing year I think Cook's team is more and more unimpressive: slow to market, lacking attention to detail and even giving two f's about its customers.
Oh my God, don't get me started on the new Get Info...
Apple needs so much fresh air, or quite frankly, some old air shall I say.
I know back in the days I was happy to see Scott Forstall leave...
Little did I know. He was probably one of the last remaining folks to have somewhat of a grasp of UX.
Skeuomorphism and Apple Maps aside, he did a lot of things right it seems.
Hindsight truly is 20/20.
Oh and one could argue skeuomorphism is a lot better than the **** we got now.
At least back then I had a very good idea of where to find things and all the whitespace we have these days didn't blind me.
The flat look we got nowadays might be nicer for a UI designer to make and show his skills, because skeuomorphism is basically following a set path, but I can't say that Apple's take on UI these days is more functional and arguably hardly prettier, latter being a matter of taste I assume.
I guess a mix of both would be fine. No felt, but keep depth. That'd be one starter.
So as long as we're going to be stuck with the flat fad (and boy I hope it's a fad), can we please get button shapes on iOS (the ones you turn on in Accessibility settings) that don't look like the laziest MSPaint mockup ever?
Thank you.
Finding buttons at a glance and not by literally scanning the interface is a nice memory...
/rant over
It's always been a music MANAGER.
A player is something like VLC where the library feature is highly basic or not even present.
On a related note: I like iTunes being a media manager over a music manager or a mere player.
I like switching between TV Shows and music on the fly.
The problem isn't having many capabilities per sé, but Apple's inability to create both a powerful, but simple UI.
Joke's on them, they already had been there, but they seem to chase for the sake of chase and at some point when you got it down and change it it's going to change for the worse, until we go full cycle and get back to functional again.
As soon as that drops though you may expect them to mess it up again, because I don't see them learning from their mistakes much.
Maybe they are though... I assume one might be cautiously optimistic with the revival of the always-there sidebar.
Glassed Silver:mac
Last edited:
No. Please no. You're suggesting some awful ideas. Late isn't a fad. Its computer software.
I guess their ideas are over ruled by Ive?
This is a step back to normality though, it's ridiculous you have to google to find out how to use iTunes now. It used to be a lot easier, Windows is easier to use then iTunes!
EDIT:
Forstell leaving was one of the worst things to happen to Apple products. Ive doesn't have a clue sometimes, his big designer head gets in the way of usability sometimes I think.
Last edited:
your argument doesn't make any sense. i could go on and explain why, buy that would be just a waste of my time... sincerely yours
[doublepost=1462618570][/doublepost]
thank you
Exactly!
6:25 into the video -> seems like nobody at Apple currently has/sees iTunes as THEIR mission
Jesus christ. Some of you even make me a catholic. There are a lot of legit complains to be made, but it just sounds (at least for someone that is reading MR threads about how Apple is useless, full of stupid people and doomed since the colored iMac, how Snow Leopard was nothing more than a buggy ripoff, how the iPhone would quickly sink the company...) like the usual suspects only like to bitch and moan.
Nothing constructive. Nothing useful. Only bitching and moaning.
I have a 2011 MBAir that came with Lion. It has a SSD (sata 2), it's true (if your Mac was bought since 2011 and you don't have a SSD, I blame Apple (50%) for money grabbing and the user (50%) for being uninformed and ignorant about the matter)).
I had a library with 40 to 50 GB, but with Spotify I only save the music that I enjoy the most. Anyone, the speed has always been the same: One bounce and that's it. Itunes opens.
I disabled everything that I don't want in iTunes, leaving only music management (Informed people outside of the US should never, ever, buy Movies/TVShows from stores until someone realizes that all people around the world should have access to the same stuff, but that's another conversation) active. There isn't a single music app, on any platform, that is faster and cleaner than what the latest iTunes version can be.
No wonder that it is the most used piece of software in Windows and OS X. The people complaining about the UI are the same people complaining about all new UI, Chrome, Windows, iOS, etc. It's just bitching and moaning.
Yes, the app should be broken, but it has nothing to do with UI for music management or speed.
Nothing constructive. Nothing useful. Only bitching and moaning.
I have a 2011 MBAir that came with Lion. It has a SSD (sata 2), it's true (if your Mac was bought since 2011 and you don't have a SSD, I blame Apple (50%) for money grabbing and the user (50%) for being uninformed and ignorant about the matter)).
I had a library with 40 to 50 GB, but with Spotify I only save the music that I enjoy the most. Anyone, the speed has always been the same: One bounce and that's it. Itunes opens.
I disabled everything that I don't want in iTunes, leaving only music management (Informed people outside of the US should never, ever, buy Movies/TVShows from stores until someone realizes that all people around the world should have access to the same stuff, but that's another conversation) active. There isn't a single music app, on any platform, that is faster and cleaner than what the latest iTunes version can be.
No wonder that it is the most used piece of software in Windows and OS X. The people complaining about the UI are the same people complaining about all new UI, Chrome, Windows, iOS, etc. It's just bitching and moaning.
Yes, the app should be broken, but it has nothing to do with UI for music management or speed.
No it doesn't? It just has library navigation above some smart playlists. Apple Music is going to be mixed in seamlessly in each menu - as it should be.
Apple, stop pushing album art to my iPhone and iPad iTunes Apps - I DON'T WANT THAT CRAP ON MY DEVICES ... it ain't improving my life, it just flat out PMO ... just quit it.
That seems to be a general Apple problem now. When it's not intuitive one is googling for even the simplest stuff, as they never say what changed.
The famous stability improvements.