Yesterday, Apple released the latest version of iTunes: iTunes 11. It boasts a new interface and more streamlined, and arguably simpler, features. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new.
MiniPlayer
The minimized view of iTunes, MiniPlayer, is the change I’ve noticed most so far. It’s taken a little getting used to, but the buttons actually work in a much more logical way. Did anyone think it was strange that the green button was the one that activated MiniPlayer before? (Even though no other window used this same action?) Well, I did, and now that’s gone. MiniPlayer now uses a more universal symbol for maximizing and minimizing the window. It also utilizes the mouse hover to show more/different information about what’s playing. Overall, it’s a slick improvement.
iCloud
By using iCloud, you can access your content on all your devices, which is key for iTunes content. So, when you buy an album, song, movie, or TV show on any device, it’s instantly accessible in your iTunes library on your Mac or PC. As Apple says, “just double‑click to play. Or if you’re going offline, click the new Download button and bring a copy with you.” I’m in full iCloud mode between my work MacBook Pro, home iMac, and iPhone, and it’s been so nice to have my content available wherever I am.
Additional Views
iTunes has incorporated a simplified view of what you’re looking for in your library. For example, if you just want to view movies, click that in the window, and it’s all you’ll see. I think it has a decidedly Netflix-like browsing view, and that’s not a bad thing. There are also expanded views of your albums, so you can select an album icon and it will expand in place. Apple states, “That means you can see all the songs on the album, click Play, and keep right on browsing without having to click back to your library.”
Resume
“Pick up where you left off. We’ll save your place.” Finally, Apple! iCloud will remember exactly where you stopped listening/viewing to a podcast, audiobook, show, movie , or iTunes U lesson. I still have a streaming Netflix account, and I use this all the time — with two computers in the house and two iPhones, it’s nice to be about to queue up Sesame Street wherever we are.
iTunes is available for both Mac and Windows. Macs require an Intel Core processor, OS 10.6.8+, 400MB of available disk space and ideally, a high-speed connection to access the iTunes Store.
Download iTunes 11 by accessing Software Update or by clicking here.