I Choose to use iTunes. (iTunes)

Member Name: paulhanton

Product:	iTunes
Date:	04/07/09 (194 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Choice of music, Genius.

Disadvantages: Cost of tracks, DRM.

iTunes.

I was probably one of the earliest converts to iPods and iTunes, seeing the potential almost immediately. I never really was that into vinyl, and I find a huge CD collection simply takes up space. Music is very important to me and there is rarely time in my life where music is not playing, I even use an iPod to help me sleep on occasion.

So, I am going to write this review on the basis that the reader has at least heard of iTunes but may not have yet used it.

iTunes is a programme owned by Apple, the makers of the 'Mac' type of computers, iPhone, iPod etc. Some 10 years or so ago, it looked like Apple were going to be defunct, with Windows based PC's dominating the World and the Mac user being seen as either an uber geek or a graphic designer, or both.

Then in 2001 Apple announced this 'digital music' revolution that was to be iTunes....I immediately pricked up my ears and I am not sure exactly when I got iTunes for the first time, but I reckon it was 2002 as I am pretty sure that was when I got my first shiny black, I GB iPod.

The early days of iTunes was, let's say, frenetic; a new version coming out seemingly every week (well of course it wasn't, just felt like that) and there were a fair few problems, especially with the older PC's and dedicated memory etc.

Round about iTunes 5.0 (we are now on version *.something) it all started to get better and smoother, and here is a top tip.....whenever iTunes asks you to update, wait a few weeks in case any problems are found.


~~Interface~~

ITunes the programme has to be downloaded to your computer, easy, peesey, then once downloaded you can begin purchasing using the interface which takes you to the iTunes store.

Very simple, once you get to the front page of the store, though in truth, becoming more cluttered of late. A 'front page' takes you to anywhere on the site, including such items as; 'top 100 albums', Celebrity playlists (my favourite), new albums and songs in particular genres and so much more that would take a few pages simply to list so I won't.

The left hand side of the screen allows you to flip between the store and 'your music' where you can create your own playlists, mange your own music, both on your PC and on your iPod, which simply plugs in using a USB cable and is recognised by the programme.

The 'help' button on the familiar looking toolbar has topics a plenty and has been incredibly useful to me on many occasions.

All in all I have found the interface between, website, programme and music management very easy.

What is also easy, maybe too easy, is that after setting up your account and payment method (I have a credit card that I use just for iTunes, lol) buying tracks is simply two mouse clicks away.


~~~Personal reasons for using iTunes~~~

So, why do I use iTunes and not another legal or illegal programme? Simple, three reasons:

1. The choice; over 10 million tracks, music videos, TV programmes, films, applications.

2. The support team; since about iTunes 5 I have had not a single problem, they clearly have a huge team working to make things right.

3. Genius: The iTunes genius programme is just that, genius; it 'tracks' your purchases and what music you have uploaded yourself to iTunes and 'suggests' music you may like. Now I am not daft, I know this is aimed at getting you to buy more music, but that is okay, I want more music. Occasionally Genius throws up some weird selections, but I have to say, it has introduced me to some really cool music I might not have heard if it had not been for iTunes.

Like any Major Corporation, Apple will have its critics, and I am no fan of major corporations, but I believe in credit where credit is due and iTunes is really good: I Like the fact that I can upload my own music, I like the fact that I can 'browse' for hours.


~~~Good and Bad points~~~

**Good (as already mentioned)**

# Choice, millions of tracks

# Ease of use

# Support

# Genius

# ITunes gift vouchers, what a cool, last minute present to people; instead of buying a teenage relatve that album that they cringe at receiving, just give them a voucher to buy their own.


**Bad**

# Cost, more expensive in UK than elsewhere, and a tiered level of cost, generally dependent on how popular the track is, cynical I may be, but as I tend to go for less popular stuff, this aspect does not affect me too much.

# DRM (Digital rights management), this means that Apple encode their music to make it hard for you to copy to other programmes....Apple have now introduced DRM free tracks, but of course you have to pay a bit extra to 'upgrade' the already owned tracks that you have (usually 20p), which makes Apple a bit cheeky in my book....if I were buying my tracks new from them now I would not have that supplement.

# Occasional blips in customer support. I once 'lost' all my music as my PC crashed and died, initially iTunes refused to give it all to me back, stating it was my responsibility to 'back up' (I know, I know)...however when I pointed out that I 'owned' the tracks and that as they had been purchased using a credit card, and that I was happy to use the credit card company to 'force' them to reimburse me....the tracks became available again.


~~~Final Thoughts~~~

I have tried; emusic, napster and a few other programmes but none seem to match iTunes. Yes there are blips, yes it is a big multi national, but hey, I want music and there is no better place to get it.

ITunes has changed the way music is viewed (by me) forever, like it or not, it started a revolution, I just wish it was a little cheaper to buy tracks, and maybe they offered a bit less on te front page.

One final tip, if you do not like the version of iTunes you are using and prefer an older version, oldversion.com is the place to go, brilliant website that I will review later.

Summary: iTunes.

Variety of features:
Reliability:
User friendly:
Installation:
Update possibilites: