San Francisco – Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs, announced several announcements that change the way we have known the iPod, and additions of several new services. Apple is now beginning to jump into parts of the social networking business with their new server, Ping, which is integrated into the updated iTunes 10.
“iTunes Ping lets you post your thoughts and opinions, your favorite albums and songs, the music you’ve downloaded from iTunes, plus view concert listings and tell your friends which concerts you plan to attend.”
Ping
Ping allows you to follow your favorite artists’ photos and tour dates. A new way for artists to keep in touch with their fan database. A neat feature with Ping is a consolidated Top 10 list with other friends you are connected through Ping. These are just some of the features that Ping has to offer, it will be interesting to watch how Ping is accepted in the social networking business.
iTunes Rentals
Another addition in iTunes 10 pertains to the iTunes Store now allowing renting of HD TV shows for a fee of 99 cents an episode from networks such as: ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel and BBC America. According to the PR release, episodes are available after the broadcast of the show and you are given a 30 day renting period from the day you press the ‘Rent’ button in iTunes. The rentals can also be transported onto your iDevice, for your viewing pleasure on the go. I do no think there will be much success from the new TV show rentals. Why would a consumer want to pay Apple 99 cents for an episode when most of the time it is available for free on Hulu? Granted, if you are using Hulu Plus app on your iDevice, you are stuck with a limited ‘Free Gallery”, but the $9 fee (with ads) may be more economical compared to 99 cents an episode.
AirPlay
iTunes 10 also dubs AirTunes to AirPlay. The feature is the same, but Jobs wanted to give AirTunes a new name since more than music will not be able to be transferred through the Air – to your new Apple TV for example. AirPlay is a great alternative to expensive wireless music systems such as Sonos – see our guide on AirPlay in the house here. I love the idea of AirPlay and would like to see what creative ideas consumers will create from AirPlay.
“AirPlay now works without AirPort Express, using speakers, receivers and stereo systems from companies including Bowers & Wilkins, JBL, Denon and iHome…”
Final Thoughts
One of the features that I am most happy about is the improved syncing with my iDevices. In past versions of iTunes I have had to suffer painfully slow backups and syncs. Not to mention, iTunes 10 also includes a new look to the icon, with a music note inside a circle. Also, the interface in iTunes 10 has a new feel, with a redesigned user interface of iTunes 10, it gives the application a slick musical look.
Download iTunes at: www.itunes.com
Let us know, what do you think of iTunes 10?
2 replies on “Summary: Apple’s iTunes 10”
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Apple offers no details on what is changed between iTunes 10.2 and 10.2.1, and the description of the update is the same as the initial 10.2 release. While there have been a few reports on Apple’s iTunes discussion boards of bugs such as Home Sharing ..