why is itunes 10 grey?

Now that you mention it, I do see that it is like the iPad interface.
Except naturally that the iPod app on the iPad only has three categories: Music, Audiobooks, and Podcasts. And that the distinction between playlists and smart playlists is irrelevant on the iPad as they behave identically (one cannot create or edit a smart playlist on an iPad).

And that there is a nice colourful violet icon for the Store (the iTunes app), a nice colourful turquoise icon for Movies (the Videos app), a nice colourful blue icon for the Appstore (the App Store app), and last but not least the nice colourful orange icon for the iPod app itself.
 
1984

Is it just me or doesn't the new iTunes look very much like the famous 1984 commercial.
Are we turning into proles.
 
I posted this in the other iTunes thread but I noticed this one too so I figured I'd drop it here too:


I hate the lack of colors in iTunes 10, so I did a little ThemePark rsrc hacking and put the colored icons from 9.2 back into 10. It's not perfect, but I didn't want to waste too much time on it, and it looks alright on my computer for the icons that I use regularly.

Download (zip, 11.1mb)

Instructions included.

Enjoy, and feel free to let me know if you see an icon that should be fixed—I didn't check that they all look normal. :p

- Small size only.
- Some may be broken.
- No guarantees.

itunes10screenshot.png


(http://www.drien.com/projects.php)

anyone know how to fix it for pc users? :(
 
why is itunes 10 grey?

Now it takes up more screen space too! I could usually fit around 44 tracks on a 15" screen now only 37 show. I had no problems before finding songs without that extra spacing. Its stupid. You should be able to shrink down your page like other programs using the command or option +/- keys.

Also bring back some color, music is supposed to be fun not grey and boring!!

Now its time on Sprockets when we dance!!
 
I think even Linux would be embarrassed with the state of iTunes at the moment. The past 3 releases have done nothing but make it uglier and harder to use.
 
I think even Linux would be embarrassed with the state of iTunes at the moment. The past 3 releases have done nothing but make it uglier and harder to use.

I don't follow you. Linux is getting better every year and it's beautiful in you know how to do some basic customisation.

On the other hand, iTunes it's getting useless features, makes at least questionable UI changes.

I think nowadays its all about iDevices and sadly not mac. (Where is iLife,iWork?)
 
Colorization for "large" setting of text size?

Is there any solution out there that continues to work when the "Large" font is chosen? Could someone help with that too?

Thanks!
 
Yeah I think it's pretty lame they got rid of the colors. It kept iTunes more interesting. O well, at least they have a more colorful icon now :) haha
 
I don't follow you. Linux is getting better every year and it's beautiful in you know how to do some basic customisation.

On the other hand, iTunes it's getting useless features, makes at least questionable UI changes.

I think nowadays its all about iDevices and sadly not mac. (Where is iLife,iWork?)

I'm kind of at a loss on this one too. It's been a few years since I played with ubuntu but I rather liked it. I can only imagine it's gotten better.

I've also been thinking about the focus on the ipod/phone/pad what have you. Maybe they feel like they have reached the end of OS potential with Snow Leopard, which honestly doesn't seem that different to Leopard. But while I come up blank when thinking of improvements, I'm sure many people on this forum have great ideas on what to change.

I'm better with examining the usability of individual programs and can definitely see how iLife and iWork have room for improvement.

As for iTunes? I just wish it was more customizable.
 
why is itunes 10 grey?

I hear you can copy the icons from the iTunes 9 "resources" folder and drag them back into 10 "resources". (If you have 9 backed up probably)

that should work too?

I renamed iTunes 9 before I loaded up 10 anyway so it wouldn't copy over it.
Then I saved my library and made sure to hit option and choose which library to open.
 
Different text in iTunes 10?

I can't tell if it is just in my head or not. Does iTunes 10 use a different text? If it does is there a simple way to change it back to iTunes 9 text?
 
Your current iTunes library is grey and dull. You used to enjoy it, but now each time you use it, it just seems less and less satisfying. The iTunes store however, full of color! Wow. Just look at all those shiny colorful icons and pictures. Jeez, I sure could be happy...if I just download all that color into my iTunes account.

One thing though, iTunes 10 was much more successful at finding artwork to download. Now about 45% of my albums have artwork. And I've never torrented. Maybe copied four cds from friends. So I do wish it did a better job. Oh well, I don't buy cds anymore. I just go to Color Wonderland where all my music color tv movie dreams can come true!

Very amusing! :p
 
I can't tell if it is just in my head or not. Does iTunes 10 use a different text? If it does is there a simple way to change it back to iTunes 9 text?

I don't think they changed the font but they made more spacing in between the lines. So now you can see even LESS songs in your library. There were no problems with readability before now it just takes you that much longer to scroll through your whole library...great job guys!!

Before I could fit about 44 tracks on a page with a 15" screen. Now it fits about 37 tracks. They need an option to shrink or resize your text a little more!!
 
I don't think they changed the font but they made more spacing in between the lines. So now you can see even LESS songs in your library. There were no problems with readability before now it just takes you that much longer to scroll through your whole library...great job guys!!

Before I could fit about 44 tracks on a page with a 15" screen. Now it fits about 37 tracks. They need an option to shrink or resize your text a little more!!

I'm not sure whether the change has improved readibility, but personally I think I appreciate the added whitespace. Everything has a bit of breathing room. It makes the whole thing seem a little lighter, more airy and pleasing. I feel like I can still fit a lot of songs on one page, even on my 13" 1280x800 screen. In fact, I'm losing only a total of 4 songs per displayed page when no artwork is displayed. On the other hand, if you like to have your artwork shown, the new iTunes is much more efficient with space - in my example picture I can display 16 more songs on that one page. Not too shabby…

But I also appreciate the grayness, so what do I know ;)
 

Attachments

  • 1-artwork-tig.jpg
    1-artwork-tig.jpg
    198.2 KB · Views: 127
  • 2-artwork-sl.jpg
    2-artwork-sl.jpg
    199.8 KB · Views: 122
  • 3-list-tig.jpg
    3-list-tig.jpg
    200.9 KB · Views: 142
  • 4-list-sl.jpg
    4-list-sl.jpg
    200.6 KB · Views: 123
Mac OS and its software is starting to look more and more like Mac OS 8 than early versions of OSX. Boot up a Jaguar system and compare it to Leopard or Snow Leopard. Then compare it to Mac OS 8 or 9's platinum look.
 
I'm not sure whether the change has improved readibility, but personally I think I appreciate the added whitespace. Everything has a bit of breathing room. It makes the whole thing seem a little lighter, more airy and pleasing. I feel like I can still fit a lot of songs on one page, even on my 13" 1280x800 screen. In fact, I'm losing only a total of 4 songs per displayed page when no artwork is displayed. On the other hand, if you like to have your artwork shown, the new iTunes is much more efficient with space - in my example picture I can display 16 more songs on that one page. Not too shabby…

But I also appreciate the grayness, so what do I know ;)

Thanks for the comparison. I like the new look much better. Very nice and uncluttered.
 
trends over time

It's all a matter of taste. There was a time when I absolutely loved browsing my music by Cover Flow. Then after some time when the grid view came out I grew fond of that, using the artist sort column. Currently I'm not a huge fan of either. I've been in a text view + search bar mood.

With that said, iTunes 10 just isn't jiving with me. List view simply looks and feels better in iTunes 9. I gave hybrid a try but found the inconsistent appearance of album art to look a bit random for my tastes.

Who knows though, maybe in a week I may come around and like hybrid view and iTunes 10. Apple seems to know what I want before I actually want it.
 
First some thoughts on the lack of color... Such a poor design choice. I don't know what the heck they were thinking! Color makes it easier for users to jump to certain aspects of menus faster. Not that I have anything against reading... but it's easier to see the colors than to read the menu item. Color is a technology we accept as standard now! Grey? Why Grey? I'd rather have it solid Black. Also, what's with the new volume slider? Why can't Apple make iTunes fit the theme for the rest of OSX?

Second, the spacing is rediculous! The only reason I tolerate a music library is that it's easier for me to sift through my large collection of music. To do that I need to fit the most info on my screen at once.

Lastly, I'm kind of growing tired of Apple "knowing what's best for us". Why not make it an option to add color? The images are already made. Why not let us use the old version of Expose if it works better for us instead of the crappy one in Snow Leopard? The other versions are already there!!! Nope. Newer version is the future! Apple says it's the best way so no going back.

It's crap. It makes me appreciate my Linux box more and more and start resenting my iMac...

I think this is going to be the final straw that pushes me to DoubleTwist full time...

I think even Linux would be embarrassed with the state of iTunes at the moment. The past 3 releases have done nothing but make it uglier and harder to use.

I'm pretty sure Linux users don't even miss not having iTunes... Most Linux users aren't fans of Bloatware.
 
First some thoughts on the lack of color... Such a poor design choice. I don't know what the heck they were thinking! Color makes it easier for users to jump to certain aspects of menus faster. Not that I have anything against reading... but it's easier to see the colors than to read the menu item. Color is a technology we accept as standard now!

But if you think about it, wouldn't such a rule have to be applied to real world user interfaces as well, when it comes to "selecting a source" ? I definitely wouldn't want to have an interface colored in such a way on my stereo - would you? :eek:

I'm pretty sure that there's not a clear and definite rule here, since color can be distracting as well, or may simply not look as good as monochrome icons in certain contexts. It's certainly possible for usability and/or enjoyability to actually suffer due to the use of color. Especially when the focus should be on something else most of the time. Not saying that that's definitely the case here, but it's worth keeping in mind.

It's crap. It makes me appreciate my Linux box more and more and start resenting my iMac...

Now you've lost me. :)

Mac OS and its software is starting to look more and more like Mac OS 8 than early versions of OSX. Boot up a Jaguar system and compare it to Leopard or Snow Leopard. Then compare it to Mac OS 8 or 9's platinum look.

I don't know about that...well, I guess you do have a point, but, in so far as that is true, I think it's a positive development. I mean, thank god we got rid of some of the overdone transparency, superfluous stripes and cheesy metal. Early versions of OS X definitely had their charm, but I still think that some of the specific UI decisions there were due to a trend whose time has come and gone. Although I feel that it had a certain endearing quality to it that has, sadly, been lost.

968cf75ba779ebedf46df495e8b55876.png

ae20dc2f8686647011d352fd91375d84.png


(both screenshots taken from here)
 
But if you think about it, wouldn't such a rule have to be applied to real world user interfaces as well, when it comes to "selecting a source" ? I definitely wouldn't want to have an interface colored in such a way on my stereo - would you? :eek:

I'm pretty sure that there's not a clear and definite rule here, since color can be distracting as well, or may simply not look as good as monochrome icons in certain contexts. It's certainly possible for usability and/or enjoyability to actually suffer due to the use of color. Especially when the focus should be on something else most of the time. Not saying that that's definitely the case here, but it's worth keeping in mind.



Now you've lost me. :)

True, it shouldn't be a rule, but there are plenty of places where color is used and used very well. I think menu items are one of them. You look at menus on your TV even. Mine have color icons. Look at video game controllers. Not only do they have letter markings, but most have a different color for each button. There are a lot of memorization games that use colors and letters. I always find I do far better memorizing patterns in colors than in letters.

As for Linux... I really was referring to the fact that it's such a customizable system. I can use any version of any software or even change specific parts easily. Also, when features are added to most software... they are just added. As there in addition to the old features. It's just that this is not the first time that Apple took away features I really liked.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Back
Top