iTunes 7: reverse sync, CoverFlow, skip count
updated 07:00 pm EDT, Tue September 12, 2006
iTunes 7 feature overview
Apple today added several new features to its iTunes 7 jukebox software, including more navigational views, new auto-sync between authorized computers, integrated iPod management, and other minor feature additions. iTunes 7, which requires the recently released QuickTime 7.1.3 to display the new higher-resolution TV shows/videos/films sold through the digital music store, adds three distinct views for navigating through music, including Cover Flow technology, which it recently purchased. Coverflow allows users to flip through all your cover art just as you would a shelf full of CDs, DVDs, or books. More importantly, users can now sync between computers that are authorized for playback, allowing users to easily maintain your music collections on multiple computers. Called 'reverse syncing,' the software allows users to sync purchased iTunes content only from their Mac to the iPod and back to another Mac--this only works for the up to five Macs that are authorized for music playback.
In addition, Apple has also added "Skip Count" in the iPod preferences window, which allows users to track the number of times a song has been manually skipped and support for purchasing games and higher-resolution H.264 video (up to 640x480 depending on aspect) for TV shows and films.
BUGGY POS
09/12, 08:32pm reply
I can't view my newly purchased $12 movie in full screen and worse. There is graphical shredding all over the place. when I visit the store, when I change views, when I scroll with the up and down arrows, when I changed libraries, it looks worse than a kindergarden collage! Argh!
mmmdoughnuts
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2006
agreed
09/12, 09:59pm reply
this was released too soon, i'm having many bug issues with graphics and song categorizing.
booo
mac noob
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2006
Works GREAT for me
09/12, 10:27pm reply
not sure what the previous users did but i have had no issues and all is working quite well!
mikeinsd
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2006
No Bugs Here
09/13, 03:15am reply
Bought "The Incredibles" - 1.3 GHz, which downloaded in about 80 minutes on my (theoretical) 3 meg DSL. Plays flawlessly on my 1.5GHz G4 PowerBook, full screen, double-size, normal size, etc. Everything just works. The flipping album art is really cool, and I love gapless playback.
My only complaint is the video quality. While it plays smoothly and exhibits no blocky, mpeg-looking artifacts, it looks mildly out-of-focus when blown up to double or full-screen mode on my 15" screen. Looks pretty good at 1x size, but who watches it that small? This will be a spectacular system as soon as they start selling hi-def stuff.
darkrail
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2006
Search Bar?
09/13, 06:32am reply
Why did they remove the Search Bar? That was one handy feature, especially for those of us who use iTunes for DJ work as it really narrowed down the search time when you have over 50,000 tracks to wade through on a busy Saturday night! Yeah, I know the selection is now made inside the search box, but it's nowhere near as flexible.
fritzw1957
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2004
Burn Button
09/13, 11:37am reply
Hmmm. I just noticed now that when the Burn button appear (in the lower right corner now), it will say either "Burn Disc," "Burn MP3 CD," or "Burn Data Disc," depending on how your burning preferences are set up.
I still think it's silly to have the choice between the three buried three panels deep in Preferences, but at least this is a help. I can't count the number of times I intended to burn a quick AudioCD and ended up with a wasted 60MB or so data CD because I'd forgot to check my preferences.
Otherwise: CoverFlow is lots of fun. I'm still not convinced, personally, why I'd want to download a movie when I can buy the DVD for a few bucks more. To each his own, though; this service seems less onerous than Amazon Unboxed ...
cooner
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2003