iTunes 11

iTunes 11.2 hits: improves podcast browsing, fixes Genius unresponsiveness and more

To go along with the just-released OS X Mavericks 10.9.3 Software Update, Apple has also issued a second major update to iTunes 11. The new version 11.2 is now available for download and includes several improvements to the in-app podcast browsing experience.

For starters, there are now all-new Unplayed and Feed tabs which collate episodes you haven't listened to yet and new ones that have become available.

iTunes now lets you save a podcast episode to keep on your computer and resolves a few annoying issues, including one where Genius would hang when updating itself. Jump past the fold for the full breakdown...

Beta version of iTunes 11.1.6 restores local contact and calendar sync

Apple has seeded a new beta of OS X Mavericks 10.9.3 to some of its employees today. The release comes one week after Apple released the second beta of 10.9.3 to devs, which included few noticeable changes.

The new beta build is not yet available to registered Mac developers, but should be via the Software Update tab in the Mac App Store soon, or as a download via the Mac section of Apple’s developer portal…

Apple releases iTunes 11.1.5 with compatibility improvements and bug fixes

Apple has released an update for iTunes this afternoon, bringing the software to version 11.1.5. Don’t get too excited though, it appears to just be a maintenance release with only a handful of improvements.

Those improvements include a fix for a problem that may have been causing iTunes to quit unexpectedly when a device is connected, as well as better compatibility with iBooks for users on OS X Mavericks...

Apple releases iTunes 11.1.4 with Wish List and language improvements

Apple has released an update for iTunes this afternoon, bringing the software to version 11.1.4. Don’t get too excited though, it appears to just be a maintenance release with a handful of enhancements.

Those enhancements include the ability for you to view your Wish List while in your library, as well as improved support for Arabic and Hebrew languages. There are also the usual stability improvements...

Apple releases iTunes 11.1.1 with bug fixes, stability improvements

Apple has released a Supplemental Update to OS X 10.8.5. The release fixes an issue with the FaceTime HD camera on late-model MacBook Airs, a bug that caused external drives to be ejected, and other problems.

Additionally, Apple has also seeded a new version of iTunes this afternoon, bringing the app to version 11.1.1. The update doesn't offer up any new features, but it does bring about bug fixes and stability improvements...

‘ColorLock’ adds an iTunes 11 inspired effect to your iPhone’s Lock screen

I just got through covering MultiDock, and to be honest I wasn't very impressed with it. But another jailbreak tweak from the same developer really holds some serious promise. The tweak, entitled ColorLock, is currently making its rounds on Reddit, as it has not been released on any of Cydia's stock repos thus far.

ColorLock allows you to have an iTunes 11 inspired effect on the iPhone's Lock screen, while playing music from the stock Music app. It basically causes the background color of the Lock screen to match the hue of the now playing album artwork, similar to the way that iTunes 11 displays a hue that matches the album art for the music you play.

Make no mistake about it, this is a jailbreak tweak that's innovative and holds a lot of potential. Check out some additional screenshots and information inside...

Apple releases iTunes 11.0.1 with duplicate item finding and other fixes

With iTunes 11, Apple's music software received a complete, much-needed, makeover. Unfortunately, it also removed some much-loved features like Cover Flow and the ability to find your duplicate track listings.

Well today, users can get at least one of those features back via a new update. Apple has just released iTunes 11.0.1 to the public, and as expected, it includes the duplicate item finding feature and other fixes...

Upcoming iTunes 11 update will restore duplicate song detection

I hope you've grown accustomed to the new, highly visual library views focused on media artwork in iTunes 11 and don't mind Apple dropping Cover Flow because that feature ain't coming back. What Apple will add to the redesigned jukebox software is the ability to detect duplicate song, which mysteriously disappeared with the latest iTunes update. That's what the Wall Street Journal tech columnist Walt Mossberg heard from his own sources within Apple. The company reportedly told him it will restore the duplicate song detection feature "in a minor update of the program"...

BTIG Research: iTunes 11 feature could hint at future streaming service

As far back as I can remember, iTunes has always given users access to web radio stations. It comes pre-installed with hundreds of them, from practically every genre, from all around the world.

I've never really used the feature, and frankly I'm surprised that it hasn't been eliminated yet. But according to BTIG Research, its presence in iTunes 11 could be the sign of something bigger...

Poll: is iTunes 11 snappier?

More than anything, today's release of iTunes 11 has put Apple's reputation on the line. After delaying the media jukebox program for a month in order "to get it right", and having fired iOS chief Scott Forstall while letting SVP Eddy Cue rise as “a prime architect of Apple's software strategy", the iPhone maker must not stumble now. While iTunes 11 does not exactly mark a fresh start for the decade-old app, it truly delivers important enhancements while de-cluttering the interface and introducing under-the-hood tweaks.

These all work in concert to make your experience enjoyable and more streamlined. And now that you've played with it, iDB wants to know whether iTunes 11 feels snappier on your system versus the previous version...

Apple’s Remote app gains iTunes 11 support, Up Next, revamped iPad UI and more

Following the official release of iTunes 11 for Mac and Windows and an incremental Apple TV firmware update, today's update bonanza continues with the release of a minor update to Apple's Remote iOS app. It now plays nice with iTunes 11, of course, and includes a redesigned interface on iPad tablets that takes design cues from the new iTunes, just as the previous version was reminiscent of desktop iTunes. As for iTunes 11 support, the updated Remote app now includes overhauled library views, an expanded view for your media, improved search results, the new UpNext feature and more...

New in iTunes 11: redeem giftcards with your Mac’s FaceTime camera

As we're sorting through all of the major changes in iTunes 11, the Interwebs is starting to light up with reports of the little things and nice-to-haves that Apple did not include in the full changelog for iTunes 11. One of such features that I know will be hugely popular with parents and people who buy iTunes Gift Cards is the ability to redeem any such card with your Mac's camera, without typing in a single character, just like that. It's just one of those little things that make life more easier and enjoyable. Here's how it works...