Apple Releases iTunes 4.5

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.apple.com/itunes/jukebox.html' target='_blank'>http://www.apple.com/itunes/jukebox.html</a><br /><br /></div>Apple has announced the release of iTunes 4.5 for both PC and Mac. This is a significant update featuring several new features including Movie Trailer support, improved music import function, and new Party Shuffle mode. I just downloaded this software myself, so I haven't had much time to spend with it yet. But I will be reviewing this software soon, hopefully. :)<br /><br />It appears Apple is also repositioning iTunes marketing efforts. The desktop player software is now prominently identified as "Jukebox". So it seems clear that Apple is leveraging the iTunes name to identify its online music store, and placing less emphasis on the player software. <br /><br />Also, Apple is giving away a free song from one of my favorite bands...The Foo Fighters. This audio track is a free download for ALL iTunes users. <br /><br />Get it while it's hot! <a href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/">Download iTunes 4.5 now!</a><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/itunes45screen04282004.jpg" />

[Mr. MacinTiger]

:D

I have checked out both the PC and Mac versions of iTunes and am impressed. Steve Jobs is clearly on the move now with lots of Apple strategery!

Also of multimedia note...Quicktime 6.5.1 for Mac and Win is out now as well as iMovie 4.0.1 for Mac. :)

[entropy1980]

Don't forget now you can play your music on up to 5 computers!!! Yay! More rights for consumers! And also Apple's new "Apple Lossless" codec sounds great!!! You can also now convert WMA to AAC!! Sounds like apple is going to aggresively pursue Microsoft! Great update Apple!

[James Fee]

You can also now convert WMA to AAC!! Sounds like apple is going to aggresively pursue Microsoft! Great update Apple!
I'm thinking this release is getting ready for the hPod. You'd need the ability to convert WMA files into a readable format that the hPod/iPod can use.

[entropy1980]

I'm thinking this release is getting ready for the hPod. You'd need the ability to convert WMA files into a readable format that the hPod/iPod can use. Also of note they now have music videos and movie trailers in the store you can watch.... could be a "testing ground" of sorts.... :D

[James Fee]

Also of note they now have music videos and movie trailers in the store you can watch.... could be a "testing ground" of sorts.... :D
You mean the "4th Generation iPod" (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=393)? ;)

[James Fee]

And also Apple's new "Apple Lossless" codec sounds great!!!
Anyone have a clue if Apple used FLAC (http://flac.sourceforge.net/) for Lossless?

What a great way to get people to encode their CDs into AAC and not mp3.

[entropy1980]

Anyone have a clue if Apple used FLAC (http://flac.sourceforge.net/) for Lossless?
What a great way to get people to encode their CDs into AAC and not mp3.
Wish it was but it appears to be some other format as I believe the files that are encoded still end up with a m4a extension. I tried opening a file encoded with Apple's Lossless in a FLAC decoder and errored out, so if it is based on FLAC it's not compatible... :(

[James Fee]

Wish it was but it appears to be some other format as I believe the files that are encoded still end up with a m4a extension. I tried opening a file encoded with Apple's Lossless in a FLAC decoder and errored out, so if it is based on FLAC it's not compatible... :(
Figured as much, I have not had a chance to try the Lossless format. Too bad, would have loved FLAC support.

[entropy1980]

Figured as much, I have not had a chance to try the Lossless format. Too bad, would have loved FLAC support.
Yeah if Apple would have thrown support behind FLAC I would have been way stoked heck right now I'd be way stoked if they started selling ITMS music in even Apple Lossless AAC is great don't get me wrong but it's hard for me to consider buying albums form the ITMS for close to what I could buy the lossless non-compressed non-DRM'd CD for.

[James Fee]

I too would love to be able to by Lossless AAC on iTunes right now. If I could, I wouldn't buy CDs anymore.

[James Fee]

Seems like people are having trouble connecting to iTunes after the 4.5 update. :grab:

http://discussions.info.apple.com/[email protected]@.68925abf

[that_kid]

There is also an ipod and mini update here (http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/) and i've been reading that this new version of itunes helps prevent the use of the drm programs people have been using.

[mrkablooey]

Interesting things around the corner, it seems. :D

[dean_shan]

I upgraded. I only did it so I could get the free songs each week. I think that was Apple's plan to make people upgrade.

[Kacey Green]

is the download link for the free song prominety posted?, if not would someone post it?

[mrkablooey]

is the download link for the free song prominety posted?, if not would someone post it?

when you sign into the iTMS, it should be in the middle section, maybe even right in the middle.

[Janak Parekh]

Seems like people are having trouble connecting to iTunes after the 4.5 update.
It just felt like the site was a little overwhelmed; it's been pretty good this weekend. :)

I upgraded. I only did it so I could get the free songs each week. I think that was Apple's plan to make people upgrade.
That was probably part of it. For me, the 5-computer-activation limit was a big improvement.

--janak