'Apple iTunes' is a musical jukebox that also has a built-in music store.
I won't say too much about this player, because I think you are familiar with its features. It almost looks like the sixth version of this player. However, there are a couple of new features like a small redesign of the interface and the support for the new generation of iPods.
This update comes with a brand new iTunes store. However, since Apple is in the lead position for online music sales, it's under attack by similar services newly launched. They had to implement this step, because iTunes is used as an agent for this kind of sales. This popularity has been kept alive by the iPod, which requires iTunes for its updates. Nonetheless, it's pointless to say what iPod means for Apple in terms of sales.
When connecting an iPod to your Mac, you notice the redesigned interface as being another new thing. It isn't a spectacular interface, but it features better functionality. Certain options are available in the iTunes main window now and you don't have to search in the 'Preferences' panel, as you had to do in the past versions.
The media files playback is good and it rarely skips when there is a high CPU load. Other audio players skip more often.
Since this is an Apple application, it has the support for technologies like
Bonjour, which it can benefit from. Another nice thing is that it can be controlled from iChat or from Front Row.
If you are an iMac user and you have an Apple remote controller, you can enjoy the fact that you can control iTunes with the remote. Other applications also include the support for iTunes. Most of the important Instant Messaging clients can display the name of the songs that you are playing. Besides iChat, other important instant messengers, like
Adium X,
Yahoo! Messenger, and
Microsoft Messenger have iTunes support.
Pluses: it integrates nicely with OS X, is a stable player, it features smart playlists, it works well under a high loaded system, it has the support for MP3 audio streams. It also features plug-in support. There are various applications that work and integrate nicely with iTunes.
Drawbacks / flaws: it doesn't have the support for AAC+ audio streams, the Media Library copies all your media into its own folder, so it doesn't give you the possibility to organize your music the way you want it.
In conclusion: This update is worth using since it has a better functionality, especially if you are an iTunes store and iPod user.
version reviewed: 7.0.2
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