iTunes
ITunes is a multimedia management program from Apple to play, convert, burn, organize, and Purchase music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies, iPod, iPhone and iPad apps. It can read the contents of connected iPods, iPads and iPhones to manage. iTunes is currently being further developed for platforms Mac OS X, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. For Mac OS 9 and Windows 2000 older versions are available, but no longer support devices such as the iPhone 3G.
The iTunes software was also part of the iLife package, which iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie, iWeb, and GarageBand included, and is now being offered for free regardless.
- 4.1 Digital Rights Management ( DRM)
- 4.2 Privacy
- ITunes 4.3 as a distribution channel for music makers and record companies
Overview of functions
With iTunes, you can do especially listening to music and arrange these, sort, group, stream over a network via Bonjour, and record CDs to the hard drive and burn music CDs or DVDs and print for this cover. It also supports QuickTime movies. Since version 4.9 it is possible to free podcasts to subscribe to and manage.
It does this through a specially guided music library to store music files of different formats with meta information (for example, MP3 ID3 tags). After these can be flexible, if not as desired, sorted and filtered. Another feature in this context are the smart playlists. A smart playlist is created by similarly defined criteria for a database query. In addition, iTunes has a real-time search, the search results appear as you type.
It also provides an integrated interface and portal software to the iTunes Store can be viewed and purchased via the internet songs and music videos. In addition, iTunes is designed for iPod, iPhone and Apple TV as default music management software. The Windows version of iTunes takes over from the MusicMatch Jukebox of former cooperation partner, however, exist, except for the model "iPod Touch", a variety of alternative software. The contents of this model can be maintained only with the iTunes software. Alternative providers, particularly those who can deal with other models in the "iPod " series entirely (such as iPod Classic), are not known at the time (February 2008).
End of September 2005 came the Motorola ROKR (pronounced "Rocker" ) on the market. It is the first mobile phone that is supported by iTunes as a music player. It can manage up to 100 songs with an iPod -like software.
As a special iTunes U program is intended that universities be allowed to publish their multimedia offerings through iTunes. Initially, the service was active only in the U.S. and Canada, however, he was constantly expanding. Generally, the offers are unlimited and free of charge. However, specific contents are enrolled students and members of the university reserved. In January 2009, iTunes U launched with offers of Ludwig- Maximilians- University of Munich, RWTH Aachen University, the Albert- Ludwigs- University of Freiburg and the Hasso Plattner Institute in Germany.
Neither the Windows version or the OS X version supports automatic conversion of WMV files. Under OS X, an additional plug -in called " Flip4Mac ", which direct playback of WMV files allowed in the free version exists.
History
ITunes is largely based on the commercial MP3 application SoundJam MP, developed by the software publisher Casady & Greene. Eventually took over Apple developers together with the software. The first version of iTunes in January 2001 was therefore very similar SoundJam MP.
After the takeover by Apple numerous functions have been added. This includes support of the iPod, a greater variety of CD burners and languages. Furthermore, the characteristic of iTunes playlist management has been improved and in 2003 the support for Windows XP and its own "iTunes Music Store " supplements.
Since then, the offer of the now renamed "iTunes Store" ( including films, television series, podcasts, and DRM - free music ) has been to more countries ( including Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and expanded content.
On 9 September 2009 appeared Version 9 of iTunes music management program. On one hand, iTunes 9 comes up with a completely revised design of the iTunes Store as well as advanced features for the compilation of smart playlists. On the other hand, the display and search for genres and the List display of the tracks have been strongly urged in the display of the Music Store window in the background or deleted.
On 25 February 2010, the limit of ten billion downloaded songs has been exceeded since the founding.
On September 1, 2010 iTunes released 10 This comes up with new views as well as the "ping " service, which is integrated into iTunes, a music social network. Ping was closed on 30 September 2012.
On November 29, 2012 iTunes 11 was released with completely redesigned. For example, the exchange between library and store has been facilitated by the fact that it occurs via a button below the player, instead of as before. Above the sidebar, in which was all inclusive playlists Has also changed the logo. It now shows a white instead of a black note on a blue background. New among others is the integration of Facebook and Twitter.
Technical
Background services
ITunes requires some background services that are automatically installed in the background during the installation of iTunes, and even then are active when iTunes is closed for the correct function. The most important are the Apple Application Support, which ensures that all Apple collaborate services, the Apple Mobile Device service that enables communication with iPhones, iPads and iPods, Apple software update that Apple software on the system currently holds, Bonjour and mDNS responder and that make the network communications from iTunes possible. Features of iTunes as AirPlay and iTunes Home Sharing build on the network services. More Apple applications like the iPhone Configuration Utility build on the iTunes service and would not run without them.
AirPlay
At an AirPlay - enabled device from Apple or a third party, a hi-fi system, a speaker system or a television can be connected. In iTunes, this system can be chosen to stream the music live to the system. iTunes calculates the short delay when streaming, so that the music on all speakers is synchronized, even if the boxes are distributed in several rooms. The previous technique was called AirTunes, the improved successor AirPlay, which is backwards compatible. The successor AirPlay support in addition to audio and video streaming.
Audio formats
ITunes currently supports the following audio formats: MP3 CBR ( Constant Bit Rate ) and VBR ( variable bit rate), with and without VBR AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV and TCA. iTunes can also play audiobooks purchased and DRM protected AAC from the hotel's iTunes Music Store at audible.com.
If at least Windows Media Player 9 installed on the PC, it is possible to use iTunes to make a copy of DRM-free WMA files in AAC format and create other formats supported by iTunes. On a Mac, no WMA files can be imported into iTunes because licenses forbid this.
Since iTunes builds on QuickTime, MIDI also next to the free Ogg Vorbis format is supported if the corresponding unofficial plugin Xiph QuickTime Components ( XiphQT ) is installed in QuickTime. It works with version 7 of QuickTime and thus also in Version 6 of iTunes.
Automation
ITunes supported on Mac OS X AppleScript and Automator. This can be controlled remotely by simple drag and drop functionality in Automator. Under Windows, there is a COM interface that is but so far little used.
File Sharing
Music files can via Bonjour, Apple's name for the open network standard Zeroconf be released. The music files can therefore be no configuration with users who are in the same subnet to be heard. Users outside of the subnet can specify the IP address of the distributed computer. One exception was the 4.0 version, with the sharing of files over the Internet was possible. However, this was disabled in the soon released version 4.0.1 to go emerging litigation and licensing requirements out of the way. By building a private network, however, it is possible to circumvent this limitation. It is the TCP port 3689 is used.
Genius
The Genius feature appeared with the version 8 of iTunes. It also makes it possible to create playlists according to Apple's view of "good matching " ( ' songs did go great together' ) titles.
If the Genius feature for the first time is started, information about the iTunes music library to Apple to be sent. The own information are compared with those of other Genius users and sent back to the user. Now when you play a song in iTunes and click the Genius button, iTunes will generate a own playlist with songs that are "good match ". This means that all the songs fit in nature to the title, based on which the playlist was generated.
Sending the data via its own iTunes music library is completely anonymous, according to Apple.
There is also the Genius sidebar. If a track is played, showing the sidebar offers from the iTunes store for similar item. The sidebar displays alternatively the Ping Sidebar, version 10.0.1.
The introduced with iTunes 9 Genius Mixes are using the same algorithms from the iTunes library the user automatically up to twelve genre -based mixes with songs that go great together, created. In the selection the user has no direct control. This compiled by Genius playlist you can save or update again. A little later, this feature has been incorporated into the latest iPods and iOS devices.
Groups and views
The grouping of songs done by Genre / Artist / Album in lists. There are also a variety of graphical representations based on album art. Finally, Cover Flow was integrated into iTunes, which enables and hence the search as in a DJ box on the basis of the cover graphic display of plate stacks. In iTunes 11 Cover Flow was removed again, it only exists in the iTunes Store.
ITunes DJ
There is a special playlist that is created again another playlist or from the music library and constantly refilled randomly or manually, and also a displacement of the order or removal of individual titles is possible. This function is made for parties, because you no longer have to switch itself there. The party guests may want songs from the iTunes library on the free iOS app Remote by Apple. Depending on the popularity of the song you want iTunes DJ plays this.
The functionality of iTunes DJ was removed in version 11. Up to version 10.7 this feature was available.
Smart Playlists
You can create playlists, whose content is determined similarly to a search criteria. iTunes keeps them up to date with changes in the music library.
Internet Radio
Integrated in iTunes are also more than 250 free Internet radio stations accessible. These are ordered by genre and are available in different data rates.
ITunes LP
You load the iTunes Store using iTunes LP albums marked down, animated lyrics, liner notes, photos and other additional material be added to the song. While listening, you can now scroll in the additional material.
ITunes Store Support
In iTunes, the iTunes Store is integrated, bought in the songs, music videos and movies and home videos can be borrowed.
ITunes U
U is for University: Here hundreds of interviews, short films and lectures are made available for download. Some well-known museums are participating in the program (such as the Tate Gallery, Palace of Versailles, Fondation Cartier, Kunsthalle Wien ). Many universities (MIT, Oxford, Stanford, LMU Munich, RWTH Aachen, HPI Potsdam) have set courses ( statistics, mathematics, programming of applications for the iPhone, but also medicine, literature, social sciences). The majority of the posts so far in English. The contents can be accessed in iTunes as well as in a standalone iOS app.
ITunes and iPod
Once you connect your iPod, iPhone or iPad to your computer and iTunes starts (at your request ) transfer the entire iTunes music library to your iPod or MP3 player and this updated as well as calendar and contacts on the iPod up to date brought (since version 5.0 with Windows PCs; iTunes reads in this case the corresponding entries from Microsoft Outlook ( Express ) off). In case of insufficient space on the destination device iTunes offers, automatically generated on the basis of previous listening habits, choosing to synchronize to.
ITunes can also be switched to a manual management of music on your iPod. Once you rated on the iPod a title or increased by listening to the counter, these changes are synchronized with the tags in the library. iTunes supported since version 10.5 in addition to the synchronization via USB and the balance via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Media Management
The application provides a technically QuickTime multimedia architecture -based solution for archiving, importing, burning and manage your music library, available in uncompressed AIFF or compressed file formats such as MP3 and AAC or Apple Lossless.
The music library is stored in a proprietary binary format. In their meta-information of the audio files are stored, regardless of the meta-information of the audio formats that are stored for example in ID3 tags. The advantage is that the meta-information can also be changed when the audio files do not allow modifying their tags.
When you exit iTunes stores in addition a copy of the music library in XML format to make media contained other programs as available such as iPhoto. This file is only written by iTunes, but never read.
The files are located by default in the following folders:
- Mac OS X
/ Users / { USER} / Music / iTunes Windows XP ( German version ) in
\ Documents and Settings \ { USER} \ My Documents \ My Music \ iTunes \ iTunes Music Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8
\ Users \ { USER} \ Music \ iTunes \ iTunes Media Ping
Ping was included as of version 10 Social Network, provided by Apple, to the user about music and their interests as well as purchased music can exchange ideas. Similar to the major social networks Facebook and Twitter could be artists or other users who are logged on, "follow" and thus show his interest in their music or pursue interests which other users have. The service was set for 30 September 2012. Instead, 11 should replace the improved Facebook integration Ping from iTunes, especially under Mac OS X.
Podcasting
Who wants to make a podcast other iTunes users, can use such a link: " pcast :/ / www.example.org / podcasts / neuigkeiten.xml ," similar to the " http://". iTunes will automatically import this podcast reference to his podcast directory.
Home Sharing
Home Sharing makes it possible ( within a network ) from up to five computers to browse the iTunes library and import them as one pleases. It is also possible to automatically add other purchased music to library.
Spotlight search
In iTunes keywords can be searched. In the Mac version supports the Spotlight search, so that a search from the Spotlight menu is possible.
Controversy
Digital Rights Management ( DRM)
Come in for criticism is the tightly integrated access to the iTunes Music Store by the fact that there first came widely Digital Rights Management ( DRM) is used, which limits the rights of consumers to use the purchased music. Users were pieces found on other computers using Bonjour indeed play, but not add their own music library. Also prevented iTunes to copy files from the iPod to the music library. Apple's licensing allows the simultaneous use of downloaded songs on five computers, any number of iPods and the unlimited burning on CDs. This is currently is a somewhat more liberal DRM policy, as is the case for example at Music Load, T-Online, and other Microsoft - licensed providers of WMA downloads.
Against Apple, a class action was filed in the United States, which criticized the use of the proprietary DRM. In France, currently runs a lawsuit in which it comes to Apple to force them to allow the FairPlay DRM format to playback on non-Apple hardware. Rival Sony has a previous judgment should have on hand, already lost a DRM process in France. In Norway, iTunes has already been declared provisionally illegal. According to Norwegian law, an Ombudsman Apple granted until 1 October 2007, the possibility of iTunes to change so that music that is purchased through iTunes, can also be used directly on any MP3 player. An opening of the format of iTunes for multimedia devices from other vendors is competition law particularly relevant, because playing the music that is purchased from Apple's iTunes store, even on devices other than the iPod and the iPhone must be possible.
Just a day after Apple's CEO Steve Jobs announced a settlement with the Beatles, he moved into an open letter entitled " Thoughts on Music" on the allegations of Europe position, with Apple's copy protection method Fairplay Apple's monopoly in the field of digital distribution of music expand over the Internet and the coupling to iTunes. In the letter to Steve Jobs looks more as victims of the music companies, Universal, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group and EMI than as perpetrators. Steve Jobs' main argument is that it is Apple is not possible to open his copy process for other providers, because then Apple could no longer guarantee to resolve within a few weeks to pass in those gaps. In the media, however, suggested that - in addition to the previously mentioned legal problems in Europe - the competition has moved through peer-to -peer networks and legal offers no DRM jobs for this step.
In practice, the copy protection is easily overturn. Calcination of the music on CD and imported it back into iTunes, the copy protection is removed and the file can be used as desired. Since iTunes 7, it is possible to transfer music files from your iPod back to the computer, but only those music files purchased from iTunes. (Reading from back to front iTunes) Senuti, a free software that allows you to transfer all music files of iPod to computer for Mac OS X. On Windows, also find commercial providers such as CopyPod, Anapod Explorer with far more features or Winamp (version 5.2), with the help of which also (similar Senuti ) the music on the iPod can be transferred back to the PC.
On 30 May 2007 iTunes Plus was introduced. As a customer, you now have the ability to purchase music without DRM. With iTunes Plus music in AAC 256 kbit / s is available. On 6 January 2009, the availability of DRM - free titles has been expanded to 80 percent of the catalog. Meanwhile, the entire catalog has been changed.
Privacy Policy
In the 6.02 software, a feature was installed to each playing piece of music transmits the artist name over the Internet to a server by default. In a small window (mini goals), the listener then gets artist -related information and coordinated advertising for other products from the iTunes Store appears. This triggered under aspects of data protection, privacy, and the unaudited copyright of criticism of Apple, as an exploration of listening behaviors and insights are feared in private MP3 collections. Such processes are undesirable in the opinion of many users and also bedürften an individual consent, which is, however, obtained by activation of the mini stores only since arisen criticism.
Meanwhile, an indication that appropriate suggestions are displayed in the mini goals based on the selected playlist in the title will appear when you start the iTunes mini gate. In addition, writes Apple is that no personal data is sent or saved to Apple. The Mini Goals can be turned off via a button at the bottom of the iTunes program window, so no more data to be sent.
ITunes as a distribution channel for music makers and record companies
The introduction of iTunes came at a time when much music was copied, without paying for it. The distribution of large external hard drives, and faster transmission standards ( USB 2 instead of USB 1) made it possible to transmit large amounts of data in a short time. The sales of many involved in the music industry declined. In this situation, iTunes presented to the public on-demand streaming as Apple's business model and as a sales model for the music industry. iTunes offered to many (even smaller ) records publishers ( "Labels" ) contracts, in which address, among other, label and artist will receive what amount of sales made (revenue per download). The amount of the payments is not publicly known; apparently the parties have agreed not to disclose it. A German music publisher said 2010 in an interview, iTunes pay more than any other online music stores.
Since 16 November 2010, the complete discography of The Beatles on iTunes is available. So Apple is the first company in the world that is allowed, the music of the Beatles to sell digitally over the Internet. The publication in iTunes preceded years of negotiations.
Apple leads since 2007 through the iTunes Festival. On September 1, 2012, starts first time with the ability to keep track of this on Apple devices via a live stream. Over 60 different artists will perform for one month on the iTunes Festival. Apple is giving away free tickets every year and so far there was no further opportunity to pursue the festival. With the live stream Apple wants to further close this gap.