| Product: |
iTunes |
| Date: |
31.10.03 (645 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Slick interface, Brilliant functionality, Free!
Disadvantages: Version 4 looks a bit off, Music store for U.S. only
The latest iTunes 4 is illustrative of recent attempts in the industry to 'legistimise' downloading of music files by offering them for legal sale at a small price. I'm probably not in the best position to be speculating about these things, but given that users can download as many music files as they want for *free* using applications such as Kazaa or LimeWire, it's not difficult to see how the itunes music store (and similar services) might be severly undermined.
The music store is a built-in feature of iTunes 4, enabling users to browse and purchase thousands of songs when connected to the internet. Unfortunately for all of us outside the U.S., iTunes music store is still unavailable. I *almost* feel jealous when browsing through the well-organised display, not being able to actually purchase the music, but then I remember that I can just open a peer-to-peer application and download the same files for free in a matter of minutes (and without the rubbishy limit on the number of times files can be burnt onto CD's). See my point?
The interface in version 3 is actually a lot nicer than version 4 (or at least for Mac, at any rate). My initial excitement about downloading the latest version of my favourite program turned to dismay when I noticed how pixelated and rough the buttons and other features looked, so much so that I even submitted feedback to Apple about how poor it looked. So I've actually stuck with version 3, although I may upgrade once the music store feature becomes available outside the U.S.
As far as mp3 players go, iTunes would have to be right up there with the best. Version 4 annoyances aside, it has the slickest looking interface of any 'jukebox'-style program I've ever used. Users are able to manage playlists and libraries of music files effortlessly, and burning and ripping music is a piece of cake. It really is a joy to use, and a joy that has seen me waste too many hours of my life u
sing the damn thing.
I've not seen the new Windows version of iTunes, so I can't say how good it is. If it's anything like the Mac version, you PC people should go download yourselves a copy pronto.
Verdict - a great program with slick aesthetics and excellent design and functioning. I'd recommend it to anyone as the best music-management application out there.
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