[Macworld]

Post your comments for Apple's iPod and iTunes updates here

[rab777hp]

Way to flip flop on Piracy Chris!

[Chris Breen]

rab777hp, on 09 September 2009 - 05:55 PM, said:

Way to flip flop on Piracy Chris!

When Paul brings discs to your home, it's not piracy.

Actually, I grabbed the tracks in anticipation of them being available on iTunes in the hopes of comparing to iTunes versions. Didn't happen. Out they go.

[KPOM]

Overall, this wasn't an earth-shattering day for Apple (though yet again I found myself ordering something on the release day - but as a gift). However, that's not a bad thing. Apple made some necessary updates to the iPod line for the holiday season, and gave us some nice updates to iTunes. I still think we'll see some more announcements later on, perhaps the rumored tablet and some updates to the Mac lineup.

However, the big news was that there was no news about Steve Jobs. His appearance was reassuring to the press and should silence some criticism for awhile. At the same time, it's clear he's letting his direct reports run more of the show, which starts making succession a bit clearer.

[KPOM]

I agree with Jason that iTunes, despite the nice updates, does need a revamp. Perhaps it will come with iTunes X? Separating the iPhone sync functionality with new Mac and Windows apps is a logical starting point. However, if Apple insists on keeping iTunes the be-all end-all application, it should at least get the Snow Leopard treatment with a 64-bit upgrade, GCD, and OpenCL to make ripping a CD faster or processing a video more efficient.

[irishman824]

rab777hp, on 09 September 2009 - 05:55 PM, said:

Way to flip flop on Piracy Chris!

I listened to the podcast and heard the comments about not being able to know what songs are in the genius mix. I found that if you select the list view, you can then see the songs that make up the mix.

Bob

[irishman824]

irishman824, on 10 September 2009 - 12:39 AM, said:

rab777hp, on 09 September 2009 - 05:55 PM, said:

Way to flip flop on Piracy Chris!

I listened to the podcast and heard the comments about not being able to know what songs are in the genius mix. I found that if you select the list view, you can then see the songs that make up the mix.

Bob

Oops, I meant to say that you click on the small genius icon in the top middle where it shows the title and time played/remaining and it will open a window in list mode of the songs included in the genius mix.

[Chris Breen]

irishman824, on 10 September 2009 - 06:08 AM, said:

Oops, I meant to say that you click on the small genius icon in the top middle where it shows the title and time played/remaining and it will open a window in list mode of the songs included in the genius mix.

I'm afraid that's not correct. What happens when you click on that Genius icon is that a new Genius playlist is created based on the currently playing track in the Genius Mix. You can see for yourself by paying attention to the four artists who appear in the artwork. You'll see when you click the Genius icon that not all of those artists (or any of the others, perhaps) appear in the playlist that appears. Also, at the top of the pane, it tells you that the playlist is based on that track.

[irishman824]

You're right,

Thanks Chris.

in this case it would be nice to have that view.

Bob

[Chris Breen]

irishman824, on 10 September 2009 - 08:52 AM, said:

in this case it would be nice to have that view.

I agree completely. It seems very odd to me that you can't look inside one of these mixes. Like you, I once thought the Genius icon was the way in (because I couldn't believe there wasn't one) but after examining the contents of the playlist I realized it wasn't what I was after.

[chedemann]

The reverse track at the end of the show was brilliant, baby!

[Chris Breen]

chedemann, on 10 September 2009 - 10:14 AM, said:

The reverse track at the end of the show was brilliant, baby!

That was all Jason's doing. And I agree -- inspired, given the sign off.