[MW Forums]

Apple has released iTunes 5, a new version of their music jukebox software. more

[jmincey]

Based on the published changes and new features in iTunes 5.0, I find it most disappointing. It feels more like a dot-something incremental release than the sweeping change I (and many industry pundits) had been speculating about in 5.0. Now maybe more features will come to light later, but at this preliminary stage, I find that this is just another incremental release and the big iTunes bomb we've been hoping for may not come until version six.
Don't get me wrong; the features in iTunes 5 are most welcome and appreciated; it's just that it's not enough given what most everyone was expecting out of the much-anticipated iTunes 5.

[fribhey]

i completely disagree.
apple finally got rid of the brushed metal look. it's more in line with Tiger's smooth metal look and feel... that alone is worth celebrating.... (now they just have to get rid of the brushed metal in iphoto and safari and i'll be happy.)
PLUS, the time display is MUCH better now. it's more like the ipod's display. it shows BOTH time played and time remaining and has that diamond which you can use to scrub through the song.
scrolling through songs before was fast but now it seems to be super fast.
you can set itunes to automatically import a CD when you insert it and also set it to import and eject. that makes importing your CD collection easier and faster.
they added a new search bar (edit>show search bar)
it also seems like they added more 'view options'

In reply to:

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t's just that it's not enough given what most everyone was expecting out of the much-anticipated iTunes 5.

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and what was 'most everyone' expecting? i'm just curious to know what other's were expecting or would have like to of seen in this version

[windowschmindows]

Anybody notice the inclusion of Description and Category in the View Options (also available via the contextual menu)? I showed them as columns, but cannot enter any information in them. Are these for future versions of iTunes, or forgotten features? I'd love to be able to add information in there, since Grouping is still not enough (for me, anyway). Also, are these iTunes-exclusive fields, like My Rating, and don't get saved with the file?

[Adwiz]

In my view, iTunes is already so good I can't think of any "monumental" changes I want to see. These improvements in 5.0 are excellent. You will never see Apple engage in "featuritis" because of the difficulties it offers to user interface issues. Featuritis turns off many non-technical folks, something that works against market share. As a former Mac software developer, I'm pretty technical, but I love iTunes just the way it is myself.

[minderbinder]

The industry pundits are full of crap.
iTunes doesn't seem to care much about which number it's at. There have been big additions at "incremental" number releases. Looks like they went to 5 just because they ran out of 4's, I'm sure there will be big future steps at upcoming 5.x releases (and probably not long from now).

[nek]

Its not in Software update yet, but Quicktime 7.0.2 and Safari 2.0.1 are.

[jmincey]

Some of you -- in your disagreement with me -- cite the advantages of the new features of iTunes 5. The thing is, I already acknowledge that these new features are very welcome. I consider it a positive step forward for iTunes -- no question about it. So you are wasting your breath (or typing fingers) by preaching to the choir. It's just that I feel it's not enough for the long-awaited 5.0 release of iTunes (which, let me emphasize, has indeed been very long in coming).
There are many features not added -- such as gapless music playback between tracks (for classical music) and additional tags for music conductor and opus number and so on. There is no support for the Vorbis OGG format nor is there the highly sought ability for multiple libraries accessible from a single instance of iTunes -- and I could go on and on with this. And Apple provides NONE of this, and I'm disappointed with that reality.
It doesn't mean I don't appreciate the new features which Apple HAS added but only that I feel it has fallen short.

[fribhey]

Safari 2.0.1 came out a week ago (august 29th)

[windowschmindows]

Nevermind. I see on Apple's website that those views are used for Podcasts. Oh, well, it was fun thinking of crap to put in there in the meantime. Guess I'll start fillin' up the Lyrics field now...
William Shatner: "...Get a LIFE!"

[fribhey]

i find it amusing how you are posting your feelings about it not being a "major" upgrade all over the place. i noticed you wrote the same thing on versiontracker.... anywhere else?
seriously though, are you that bothered by the fact that they haven't met your specific needs that you feel the need to let everyone know?just be happy it's not crapware full of spyware and that apple continues to make it better and better. it may not be the best and meet everyone's individual needs but common now, it's FREE. the day apple starts to meet everyone's needs is the day everyone starts bitching and moaning that itunes has become bloated.

[minderbinder]

I'll say it again:
The pundits are full of crap.
EVERY Apple release is preceded by rumor sites that try and pass off their wish lists as predictions. And of course they always whine when they get reality instead of their own fantasies. Talk about wasting your breath...

[minderbinder]

"i find it amusing how you are posting your feelings about it not being a "major" upgrade all over the place. i noticed you wrote the same thing on versiontracker.... anywhere else?"
And ironically, HE accuses others of "wasting their breath". Priceless.

[leicaman]

Considering Apple was already distributing iTunes 4.9 (and it's still the featured download in the OS X section of Apple's website) I wonder what you expected them to name this update. 4.95?
Seems to me what you did is what so many people do who listen too closely to the rumor sites. Get themselves all jazzed up for the new iPod Video or iWalk or whatever, and when it doesn't appear as anticipated, they are disappointed - when Apple played no role or responsiblity whatsoever in that disappointement.
People set themselves up for a fall, and then blame someone else when they skin their knees. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif