DVD Audio would be cool! I have quite a few DVD audio disks. And I can only listen to them via my DVD Player. Or Apple DVD player. I would love to just play the audio thru iTunes.
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More iTunes 5 Info?
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WMA
Conversion from a WMA-wrapped codec to AAC would only make sense if the Codec WMA is wrapping is itself AAC. Conversion from one lossy encoding to another is an ugly process. I think you're much more likely to see support for importing and playing WMA on iTunes and iPods, but no rip-to-WMA support.
Conversion from a WMA-wrapped codec to AAC would only make sense if the Codec WMA is wrapping is itself AAC. Conversion from one lossy encoding to another is an ugly process. I think you're much more likely to see support for importing and playing WMA on iTunes and iPods, but no rip-to-WMA support.
If they added a quene to iTunes, that would be perfect. Then you could browse your library and add a bunch of music that you want to listen to without having to sit down out the computer after every song.
edit: I know I could just make a playlist but I I want something more innovative than that, something less permanent. More importantly, I want this feature on an iPod.
Also, I love the interface in iTunes but it would be cool to set it up like the column view of the finder. I have 20 gigs in my library and not every artist fits on my playlist column. I would love to surf through the collection like in the finder.
Any news about a webcast or in-store broadcast of the Thursday event?
By the way, Jobs recently stated that iTMS was not created to be a cash-cow: it was intended to bolster sales of iPods by providing consumers with a steady supply of music. Think about, the original iPod came out during (or was it just after?) the heady Napster days of widespread music sharing. Although the iPod has sold well, building a large library of music to fill your iPod has been much harded to come by. That's what the iTMS is for.
My point is that support for WMA falls in line with this. I don't think it's an issue of competition so much as furthering the appeal of a portable music player that can hold more than a gig of material.
By the way, Jobs recently stated that iTMS was not created to be a cash-cow: it was intended to bolster sales of iPods by providing consumers with a steady supply of music. Think about, the original iPod came out during (or was it just after?) the heady Napster days of widespread music sharing. Although the iPod has sold well, building a large library of music to fill your iPod has been much harded to come by. That's what the iTMS is for.
My point is that support for WMA falls in line with this. I don't think it's an issue of competition so much as furthering the appeal of a portable music player that can hold more than a gig of material.
First of all, I'd like to know where you get your 'facts' from. Apple released figures during the 'switch' campaign that showed a significant percentage of visitors to the Apple web site are windows users. I'm sure with iPod sales taking off, that number continues to increase.
Secondly, the whole point of launching iTunes for windows (as well as the iPod for windows) is to ultimately help increase demand for Apple products among windows users. Diverting traffic away from their main website wouldn't serve that purpose well.
I couldn't see anyone else who'd brought this up... but if Listeners Loans are files with an expiry date, they would still cost something, it may be that you can buy a three day 'Loan' of the tune for 30c silver pieces, and then if you wanted to buy the tune it would only cost another 69c... Most users aren't going to be bothered with the hassle of ripping tunes with Audio Hijack or whatever, in the same way most users can't be bothered going through the trouble of burning and re-ripping CDs...
jx
jx
I think if you made the streaming audio 56kb or less quality that the record companies wouldn't care if you hijacked it. They could even make it lower quality than that. If it's enough to get an idea of what the song sound like, that all Iw ould need and I think it would be a great feature. Make it low low quality and no one would want to steal it. If they did, ideally, the record companie wouldn't care about such a low quality recording.
Rather than make playlists for all your artists, why not just choose browse in the library and select just the artist(s) to which you want to listen. I find that does the job when I want to listen to a specific artist, album, or genre. I reserve playlists for eclectic mixes.
As an aside, I have a smart playlist I really like, to which I listen almost exclusively. It is 50 random songs with a rating greater than 3 stars and which have not been played in the last day. This keeps me from hearing the same song too often, and works well both at my computer, and using my iPod.
Although I absolutely love the idea of Apple expanding it's functionality of a DVR, I just don't see why you'd want an iPod to do it. Why not just have your laptop or desktop take on this function. You need processing power for this function to work anyway. I wouldn't want Apple create a DVR like system if it didn't work as well or better than a TIVO and the iPod simply doesn't have any processor that can accomplish this.
Command-L in iTunes or, if you don't want to make it active, put this in your Scripts Menu:
Code:
[SIZE=1]tell application "System Events"
if (name of processes) contains "iTunes" then
tell application "iTunes"
if player state is playing then
set view of front window to playlist (name of current playlist)
end if
end tell
end if
end tell[/SIZE]
Wow that would be cool, loaner library.
I like that alot...
Windows iTMS another plus, always good.
I like that alot...
Windows iTMS another plus, always good.
New encoding options?
If the "new encoding options" part is true, then please please please let it include ripping a whole album as one file with a cue sheet. Please!
I've probably posted about this a million times, but for me, this is by far the most glaring fault of iTunes and the iPod. In either one, I can't listen to an album straight through without slight gaps between tracks -- it's worse on the iPod. Most albums are ok, because they're created with silence between tracks. So you don't even notice. But some albums have tracks that run into one another with no break, and of course live albums have the whole crowd noise going all the time. In these albums, I get gaps.
Of course I can join tracks in iTunes when ripping, but then I lose individual track information. I can have one or the other -- separate tracks or no gaps -- but not both. This is something that a 20-year-old CD player has no trouble with, so why not state of the art iTunes and iPod?
I've left Apple numerous feedbacks on this, but I always get the impression that they aren't listening. Especially considering that most users probably don't care much about this or even notice. But if they add this (and corresponding support in the iPod), my Mac life will be complete. (well, as soon as I get my hands on Panther that is...)
If the "new encoding options" part is true, then please please please let it include ripping a whole album as one file with a cue sheet. Please!
I've probably posted about this a million times, but for me, this is by far the most glaring fault of iTunes and the iPod. In either one, I can't listen to an album straight through without slight gaps between tracks -- it's worse on the iPod. Most albums are ok, because they're created with silence between tracks. So you don't even notice. But some albums have tracks that run into one another with no break, and of course live albums have the whole crowd noise going all the time. In these albums, I get gaps.
Of course I can join tracks in iTunes when ripping, but then I lose individual track information. I can have one or the other -- separate tracks or no gaps -- but not both. This is something that a 20-year-old CD player has no trouble with, so why not state of the art iTunes and iPod?
I've left Apple numerous feedbacks on this, but I always get the impression that they aren't listening. Especially considering that most users probably don't care much about this or even notice. But if they add this (and corresponding support in the iPod), my Mac life will be complete.
(well, as soon as I get my hands on Panther that is...)What *I* (the clear expert on everything) think that iTMS could use is a sort of "preview radio".
Think of it this way, going along with the rotating banner ads in the store is a 10 second clip for each one. But it's non-stop - so you could just sit and listen for say...10 minutes and hear 60 different tunes. Certainly you'd have a dynamic "add to cart" option that halted the image change on roll over.
I like to try to expose myself to some different music, but frequently I don't know where to begin. I've listened to a ton of previews but it gets tedious double clicking around the site. If there were a changing daily promotional reel, I'd likely buy more often. I'm already a bit stunned at how much money I've spent already.
Also a button to "preview album" which allows you to listen to all the 30 second clips on the album consecutively would be nice.
Think of it this way, going along with the rotating banner ads in the store is a 10 second clip for each one. But it's non-stop - so you could just sit and listen for say...10 minutes and hear 60 different tunes. Certainly you'd have a dynamic "add to cart" option that halted the image change on roll over.
I like to try to expose myself to some different music, but frequently I don't know where to begin. I've listened to a ton of previews but it gets tedious double clicking around the site. If there were a changing daily promotional reel, I'd likely buy more often. I'm already a bit stunned at how much money I've spent already.
Also a button to "preview album" which allows you to listen to all the 30 second clips on the album consecutively would be nice.
<tuppenceworth subject="WMA Support">
Think about it like this - Apple has spent pretty much ALL of the past two years telling everyone who would listen about how well and seamlessly Apple's software works on Apple hardware, as well as how simply it all integrates with Windows systems.
Now, after all that, do you honestly think they're going to release a bit of software that your average Windows user eagerly downloads only to find that
iTunes cannot play your current music as it is encoded in WMA format. iTunes does not support this format, but you can re-compress all your existing music by inserting the CDs one at a time and letting iTunes automagically convert them to the open AAC format
No. No way. Most Windows users (and ESPECIALLY those Apple is targetting with its "Let the computer get out of your way" marketing) don't give a hoot what format their music is in on their PC. They just put the CD in the drive (just like iTunes), and BOOM, the music is on their computer. If iTunes for Windows doesn't play that music, they'll blame Apple for being incompatible and go back to WMP like little sheep.
For iTfW to be successful, it HAS to live up to the Apple promise of being good to go out of the box. Re-ripping, converting, being made aware of a problem (using WMA) that wasn't a problem till you used iTunes, and not being able to load your music on to your iPod are not examples of a solution that "Just Works".
Think for more than three seconds, think about how Apple works, think about how it designs software, and you'll realise that all this talk about how awful WMA support would be is just plain nonsense.
The beauty is that those users who don't care (or don't know) what format their music is in will use iTunes to manage their existing music, love its simplicity, use it as their default music player, and hence "adopt" AAC without realising it.
"Think Different" doesn't mean "Think Contrarian".
It's MS's job to force "standards" on users, not Apple's
</tuppenceworth>
Think about it like this - Apple has spent pretty much ALL of the past two years telling everyone who would listen about how well and seamlessly Apple's software works on Apple hardware, as well as how simply it all integrates with Windows systems.
Now, after all that, do you honestly think they're going to release a bit of software that your average Windows user eagerly downloads only to find that
iTunes cannot play your current music as it is encoded in WMA format. iTunes does not support this format, but you can re-compress all your existing music by inserting the CDs one at a time and letting iTunes automagically convert them to the open AAC format
No. No way. Most Windows users (and ESPECIALLY those Apple is targetting with its "Let the computer get out of your way" marketing) don't give a hoot what format their music is in on their PC. They just put the CD in the drive (just like iTunes), and BOOM, the music is on their computer. If iTunes for Windows doesn't play that music, they'll blame Apple for being incompatible and go back to WMP like little sheep.
For iTfW to be successful, it HAS to live up to the Apple promise of being good to go out of the box. Re-ripping, converting, being made aware of a problem (using WMA) that wasn't a problem till you used iTunes, and not being able to load your music on to your iPod are not examples of a solution that "Just Works".
Think for more than three seconds, think about how Apple works, think about how it designs software, and you'll realise that all this talk about how awful WMA support would be is just plain nonsense.
The beauty is that those users who don't care (or don't know) what format their music is in will use iTunes to manage their existing music, love its simplicity, use it as their default music player, and hence "adopt" AAC without realising it.
"Think Different" doesn't mean "Think Contrarian".
It's MS's job to force "standards" on users, not Apple's
</tuppenceworth>
Also this Bluetooth headphone would be excellent. I would get it. I hate having to mow lawn or get on the bus with a cord dangling to get snagged and pull my iPod from my pocket (happened more than once).
iPod & WMA
The iPod already supports WMA playback in its hardware- so it isn't much of a stretch for apple to put the capability in the firmware.
They *should* allow ITunes for windows to play WMA files, and sync WMA files to the iPod. That only makes sense, especially for the windows crowd. I don't see it as a priority update for the mac version of iTunes, although it would surely be nice.. It's not a requirement. The iTunes music store would still have strictly AAC files, which would also be supported on iTunes for Windows. It's just that the users *existing* WMA songs will play fine within 'Tunes and on their iPod... There really is no *huge* reason to support encoding of WMA... Unless they are going to support other portable players besides the iPod- and in that case, they still have the option of MP3...
The iPod already supports WMA playback in its hardware- so it isn't much of a stretch for apple to put the capability in the firmware.
They *should* allow ITunes for windows to play WMA files, and sync WMA files to the iPod. That only makes sense, especially for the windows crowd. I don't see it as a priority update for the mac version of iTunes, although it would surely be nice.. It's not a requirement. The iTunes music store would still have strictly AAC files, which would also be supported on iTunes for Windows. It's just that the users *existing* WMA songs will play fine within 'Tunes and on their iPod... There really is no *huge* reason to support encoding of WMA... Unless they are going to support other portable players besides the iPod- and in that case, they still have the option of MP3...
Re: New encoding options?
Agree! I'm a big fan of Pink Floyd, and many of their albums have tracks that segues into the next (think Dark Side of the Moon). If there'a a major upgrade to iTunes coming on thursday, I hope this is fixed.
I also wish Apple would make a more visual way of browsing music - by cover-art. When you have a lot of music, the text-only interface really isn't very intuitive. We have always been used to browsing our old LPs and CDs by visual appearance as well as titles, and this has been lost. I've used a small app called Clutter for this, but I'm sure Apple can do it much better!
sorry for being a bit off-topic!
On topic:
WMA-support in iTfW = good
Separate website = bad
Originally posted by bankshot
If the "new encoding options" part is true, then please please please let it include ripping a whole album as one file with a cue sheet. Please!
Agree! I'm a big fan of Pink Floyd, and many of their albums have tracks that segues into the next (think Dark Side of the Moon). If there'a a major upgrade to iTunes coming on thursday, I hope this is fixed.
I also wish Apple would make a more visual way of browsing music - by cover-art. When you have a lot of music, the text-only interface really isn't very intuitive. We have always been used to browsing our old LPs and CDs by visual appearance as well as titles, and this has been lost. I've used a small app called Clutter for this, but I'm sure Apple can do it much better!
sorry for being a bit off-topic!
On topic:
WMA-support in iTfW = good
Separate website = bad
No Joke! I was at my little neighborhood bar/restaurant watching the owners put their own money in the jukebox... They were talking about buying a their own (most are rented) so they could make it free. All i could think was iPod, but dam no jukebox type queue. -nice... it would keep people from coming over (office / house) and changing my song to what they want to hear... "just double click it, it'll come on after my song(s)" -love it
Will steve use a PC in the iTunes windows key note!?!
I was just thinking that if Steve Jobs has a key note to present iTunes for Windows he will have to use a PC to show it off. Cant wait for his comment on this one.
What type of PC will he use? Dell LOL.
I was just thinking that if Steve Jobs has a key note to present iTunes for Windows he will have to use a PC to show it off. Cant wait for his comment on this one.
What type of PC will he use? Dell LOL.
Originally posted by NoVi
Maybe a stupid question
Will introducing IMTS for Windows bring a Windows iTunes version?
Or will IMTS for Windows solely be handled through a web interface?
It'll be an app. I've got about 100 mini CD's sitting here at work. I'm planning on distributing them to the folks at work come Thursday once I download the software and then ask them to pass the CD on. I'm going to spam the crap out of everyone I know to get them to use iTunes.
Re: Will steve use a PC in the iTunes windows key note!?!
Not if he uses terminal services or VNC.
Not if he uses terminal services or VNC.
Re: New encoding options?
It isn't a perfect solution, but in iTunes, if you turn on Crossfade Playback in the Effects section of Preferences, then set the slider to zero seconds, it plays songs without a gap between them. Obviously this doesn't solve the problem for the iPod, but it's better than nothing.
It isn't a perfect solution, but in iTunes, if you turn on Crossfade Playback in the Effects section of Preferences, then set the slider to zero seconds, it plays songs without a gap between them. Obviously this doesn't solve the problem for the iPod, but it's better than nothing.
P
paulc
Guest
Seems to me the ONLY point of wma support is in both Tunes AND a Pod. One without the other is pointless. And the point IS that all the other services use wma.
I'd also beg to differ on iTunes "major upgrade." That software has NOT had an upgrade since version 4. Yes, 4 added the ITMS. But there was essentially no REAL functionality change in the software (i.e. no change in managing your music, which WAS the original point of the software). The list of users wishes for upgrades to the software go all the way back to version 3.
I'd also beg to differ on iTunes "major upgrade." That software has NOT had an upgrade since version 4. Yes, 4 added the ITMS. But there was essentially no REAL functionality change in the software (i.e. no change in managing your music, which WAS the original point of the software). The list of users wishes for upgrades to the software go all the way back to version 3.