Tip of the Week: Multiple iTunes Windows

ByMike Moffit

It’s pretty safe to say that almost all Mac users use iTunes if they have a music collection of any size. Of course, if you have an iPod or iPhone, then you must use iTunes to synchronize it. Many design paradigms stem from iTunes, including the current Finder and iPhoto.

I have a gripe, though. If I’m in the middle of a playlist and connect my iPod touch, the view switches automatically from the playlist to the synchronization and setup screen for the iPod. I’m told that this feature is a long-standing one, but it took me all this time to find it.

You can edit the name of a playlist by double clicking on its title. This I knew, but I accidentally double-clicked on the blue symbol to the left of the playlist name, and a separate window with that playlist opened.

When an iPod is connected, the main iTunes window will come to the front with the iPod’s settings and options. The separate playlist window, though, will remain in the background, saving you from having to find your spot in the playlist.

Similar Posts

  • How to Rename Bluetooth Devices

    Whenever you connect a new iPod or wireless device to your Mac, you get the option to name the device. Many times when…

  • Mac Menu Symbols

    You can get more from your Mac, and use if more efficiently, if you utilize its built in keyboard shortcuts. You can see…

  • Nifty Image Editor

    If you want to add that really cool mirror effect to your images then Picturesque is probably the easiest way to get it…

  • De-authorize your iTunes Account Before Hardware Repair or Sale

    Pretty much everyone has downloaded media from the iTunes store, but not too many of us know just how iTunes keeps track of computer authorization. Every device on the internet has at least two unique identifiers: a MAC address and an IP address.

    MAC is an acronym for Media Access Control. Many believe that Mac, the abbreviation for Macintosh, should be written with capital letters – this is incorrect. Likewise, iPod – not iPOD or IPOD; iMac – not iMAC or IMAC; etc. Network interfaces have MAC addresses; Macintoshes can be called Macs.

    Since your MAC address is completely unique, it’s the ideal way for iTunes to know that you’re authorized to play purchased content on any given machines. Trouble is, your ethernet port is part of the main logic board, which requires replacement in some repairs. With a new main logic board comes a new MAC address, which confuses iTunes and some other, generally high-end, software.

    You’re allowed to authorize up to five computers at any one time to play your purchased content, but replacing your logic board changes the MAC address. If you didn’t de-authorize before repair, you’ve lost 20% of your available authorizations. I made this mistake a few years ago when I had to replace the logic board in a Mac Mini hooked up to my television, and when I sold my iBook. I also lost an authorization when my two-week-old PowerBook G4 flew off the roof of my car at highway speed. Thankfully, iTunes allows you to de-authorize all computers on your account once annually.

    I only have one Machine these days, a 17-inch MacBook Pro, so this hasn’t been a problem of late for me. It’s a common question asked our technical support team, and a good fix to file in your troubleshooting arsenal.

    The full details from Apple can be found here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1420