[Macworld]

Post your comments for iTunes: Time to right the syncing ship here

[Lisamacnewton]

AMEN. I have *more* of a problem with iBooks, but yes, you're absolutely right. They ALSO need to give you "sync" options. Have a set of apps here, a different set there and let you name them (i.e. vacation, interview, home). When you want to take you iPad as your primary source of information (at an interview) you don't want FB or Games on it. As it stands not, EVERYTHING goes and then you have to recal your folders. What a nightmare. But I love it anyway........

[killerkellerjr]

Agreed that its time Apple. The last time I hooked up my iPad to add some videos for my son I lost about a dozen apps and it rearranged all the apps on the pages and folders. I wanted to choke someone as I didn't want the apps to be touched! Too many setting to sort through and I am an IT Professional. Time to split it up and get back to simple Apple!

[KPOM]

I agree with this entirely. Now that iPad and iPhone are making inroads into the enterprise, they also need to make it easier to copy files to an iPad or iPhone. I like to use my iPad to read PDFs, which are mostly work-related for me. However, I have my music and video collection on my home Mac. The first time I tried to use iTunes to copy PDFs from my work PC to iBooks on my iPad, I wound up deleting all my music and video content. Apparently you can sync apps on two different machines, but not books and PDFs. While I found a solution using GoodReader, it is still pretty kludgy.

iTunes sync is decidedly un-Apple-like, and is a throwback to the "digital hub" era that Apple is trying to get past. I think Apple needs to change a few things to make them easier:
-Stop trying to sync apps automatically - just use iCloud.
-Have free app updates download and install automatically like on Android.
-Make an official Apple Mac and Windows desktop application for the sole purpose of copying PDFs and documents to iBooks and iWork (not all of us can use iCloud because of enterprise restriction issues).

[jsarsero]

I don't doubt your misadventures with iTunes or that the application is now a hodgepodge of functions. But in defence of iTunes, I routinely sync a 64 GB iPhone 4S, a 64 GB iPad 2 and a 32 GB iPod touch (4th gen) to the one computer. All three devices are at near full capacity and each has a unique set of apps, music, podcasts, movies, books, etc. Over many years, I've never had issue with syncing. Perhaps it's just me.

[MacTechAspen]

iCloud is not a panacea for those of us with slow Internet. I fear the day that I will be shut out simply because my connection is too slow.

That iTunes needs an overhaul I completely agree with, but if too much moves to the cloud without other alternatives, many around the world will be... left out.

[zbell]

I couldn't agree more. Another original primary focus of iTunes that Apple seems to have lost sight of is basic media management and organization.

They seem to have abandoned media organization as one of its core functions because you can't commoditize it, so we are left with hacks to get media tagged and organized properly, or not. I understand much of this is due to the limitations of the ID3 spec, but they already tack on plenty of iTunes specific metadata (play count, rating, skip when shuffling, start-stop time, etc.) that's stored in the library, so why not extend it further. Or better yet, lobby to extend the ID3 spec.

I'm talking about metadata like multiple genres (no one song or movie can be pigeon-holed into one genre, and when I sort by genre it'd be nice if all the relevant content showed up). And what about explicit tags? Shouldn't I be allowed to decide if a song qualifies as "explict" by my own standards and judgement, and change it one way or the other, and filter playlists and parental controls based on it?

OK, I'm off topic and creating an iTunes wants list (which, yes, I have already submitted these feature requests to Apple). However, my original point, and the point of this article still stand. Apple has turned iTunes into a monster of an app that has little to do with its core functions, and more to do with getting us to buy more through the store. I understand this is a sound business model, but all of this extra crap baggage has sent me looking for iTunes alternatives many times. If only a real contender existed... or if as Jason suggests, Apple would just clean up and "fix" the mess that is iTunes.

[NikoNikorocksComxfn3]

This article is so weird. It's writing about problems that I've never encountered. Maybe my Mac is magical… or maybe I'm just using it properly. So weird.

[stsk]

Agreed. Separate functions should be separate programs in a suite: iTunes Sync (a master syncing utility that seamlessly manages content on iTV, iPod, iPhone, iPad, Mac, iCloud AND Time Capsule (turning TC into a true NAS for media AND a backup device)), iTunes Store (duh), iTunes Media Player (duh), and iTunes Media Utility (a powerful, flexible media file management tool which would handle ripping and converting CDs, DVDs, mpegs, and the plethora of different esoteric media encodings). It's time to clean up the confusing, weird UI issues which have plagued iTunes from the beginning and start over with a capable suite of state of the art products.

[Magikpants]

If they follow the iOS lead (like with iCal & address book), this shouldn't be too far off in the future. Then, we'll see Music & Video & iBooks & App Store & iTunes Store as separate apps. I'm not sure what they'll call the sync app though, but I hope this happens

[quakerotis]

I find iTunes to be a remarkably reliable app. I have no problem with the swiss army knife approach to media playback and app management. what it does need is updated preferences to customize the way you want to control syncing and media playback.
The default behavior should not be to globally sync apps, playlists and media the first time you plug it in.

It also needs a simple way to convert an "album" into a "playlist" automagically.

[AppleZilla]

I'm not having any 'syncing nightmares,' but there is great room for improvement. I would describe the whole iTunes/iBooks/Apple TV/iCloud navigation as 'inelegant.'

I know there is some 'magic' behind all of these things, because it works for me (sometimes with workarounds), but it simply needs a better collective interface.

Oh, and we need to be able to combine iTunes accounts for families. Period.

[Kennethfcooper]

Thanks Jason. I have the same problem with iCal. I created a repeating meeting on my iPad. I recently changed jobs, so I deleted the meeting. A few days later, a ghost version of the meeting appeared. I call it a "ghost" version because I can no longer edit or delete it. It just haunts my calendar.
I saw this coming when I first heard about syncing. I have worked with software that creates its own backup to prevent accidental deletion. The problem is that it also prevents desired deletion.
My point is that this is a System wide problem, not merely a iTunes problem.

[chimerical77]

Another Amen! iTunes is so laden with crap that using it is like playing World of Good, but not nearly so much fun. I can't even stream music to an Apple TV without perpetual goof-ups.