Apple Announces iTunes 5

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.apple.com/itunes/overview/' target='_blank'>http://www.apple.com/itunes/overview/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Apple® today announced iTunes® 5, bringing new features and a refined look to the world’s most popular digital music jukebox and online music store. iTunes 5 includes a new Search Bar to make it even easier for users to find what they’re searching for; the ability to organize playlists into folders; Smart Shuffle, which lets the user change the “randomness” of shuffled songs; and the ability for Windows users to automatically sync contacts and calendars from Outlook onto their iPods. The iTunes Music Store has also added parental controls and album reviews, and now features a catalog of over two million songs, making it the largest online music catalog in the world."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/itunes5.jpg" /><br /><br />Not a ground breaking upgrade, but Apple did make a few improvements to the Smart Playlist feature. The biggest change is with the iTunes interface, which no longer has the brushed aluminum feel to it. That will no doubt disappoint some users. <br /><br />iTunes 5 is available now for download. Get it while you can, because Apple's servers are getting hammered with traffic at the moment.

[ctmagnus]

"...and the ability for Windows users to automatically sync contacts and calendars from Outlook onto their iPods."

But not tasks? Sounds suspiciously Microsoft-ish to me. ;)

[Jason Dunn]

I'm assuming still no WMA playback? :roll:

[Kent Pribbernow]

I'm assuming still no WMA playback? :roll:

Nope, and I'm beginning to tire of the "walled garden" experience Apple offers. iPod + iTunes is great, but I like the idea of choice better.

[Macguy59]

I'm assuming still no WMA playback? :roll:

They don't seem to have any trouble selling them so what's the incentive?

[Jason Dunn]

They don't seem to have any trouble selling them so what's the incentive?

The hubris of thinking that your product is good enough because you're selling "lots" is what brings companies down - there's always more market!

[Macguy59]

They don't seem to have any trouble selling them so what's the incentive?

The hubris of thinking that your product is good enough because you're selling "lots" is what brings companies down - there's always more market!

Remind me. How many other MP3 players out there support AAC?

[Jason Dunn]

Remind me. How many other MP3 players out there support AAC?

The only real source of AAC is from iTunes, and the answer to how many MP3 players support Fairplay-encrypted AAC is zero - all because Apple refuses to license it. They want to keep people locked in to using their software (iTunes), song format (AAC), and hardware (iPods). Pure strongarm tactics - funny how no one is suing them for abuse of a monopoly, right? (I don't think anyone should, they're just doing business and making money)

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

That's hardly an abuse of a monopoly. Now if iPods made up 90% of the market and they said "Sorry, from now onwards you can only use the new QT Audio format in your iPod," that's an abuse of a monopoly!

[Jason Dunn]

Now if iPods made up 90% of the market and they said "Sorry, from now onwards you can only use the new QT Audio format in your iPod," that's an abuse of a monopoly!

What's the difference between QT Audio and AAC encoded with Fairpaly - both are Apple-only formats that only work on Apple devices. I fail to see your point.