As the summer heat energy arrives , I ’m already thinking about the fall , when the cycle of nature returns us to more comfortable temperatures . It ’s also the prison term when Apple tend to release Modern version of iTunes — generally when Apple unveil young iPods , and iTunes gets updated with a smattering of new features , as well as for compatibility with the unexampled devices.iTunes 10saw the Inner Light on September 1 , 2010 ; iTunes 9 was unveiled on September 9 , 2009 ; and iTunes 8 a year earlier to the day .
This class , the nightfall will see the outlet of iOS 5 , and iCloud , and a Modern version of iTunes ( presently called 10.5 in developer button , but perhaps iTunes 11 when it drift out publically ) . It will lastly volunteer some Wi - Fi synchronize with Io gadget , but here are some small pinch I ’d like to see in a future version of iTunes . ( You may need to expect back at asimilar article I wrote last class , where I expect at gravid features — none of which , alas , has hear the light of 24-hour interval . )
1. Add a label tag
I buy a fair amount of music because of the labels that issue it ; this is especially the case for indie classical label . I would like to be able to append label name information to my running in iTunes . you may certainly use the Comments field , but many people ( include me ) use that for other data . iTunes could add a Label tag end , which is indirectly part of the ID3 euphony file tagging specification : you could use the Publisher ticket to store the name of a label .
2. Add a Column Browser button
The iTunes Column browser app is a sinewy style to carry off euphony in your iTunes library . But in my experience , most iTunes users are n’t aware of this useful shaft . It would be practical if there were a release to show or hide the column internet browser , somewhere at the bottom of the iTunes window . People would click out of curiosity , and get a line the most herculean way to graze their medicine .
3. Allow for label searches
The iTunes Store displays label info . research for it should n’t be too unvoiced .
I would make out to be capable to search by recording label in both the iTunes Store and in my iTunes library . If a Label tag were available , then a hunting by label should be potential . This is peculiarly useful for fan of indie label in any genre who would like to be able to find music from their pet labels more easy . The iTunes Store already has the label info , so they plainly need to pipe it into a searchable tag .
4. Allow sub-genres and multiple genres
iTunes lets you select the genre of your music , but some genres are too broad . IsJazzorClassicalreally sufficient ? You may want to haveJazz – piano trio , orClassical – opera . Sure , you could go into your own musical genre ; just type them in the Genre subject . But if iTunes correctly managed submarine sandwich - genres , you would be able to sort by both the main writing style and its children .
Also , some euphony does n’t easy fit into a single musical genre ; being able to have multiple genres can be useful for those who have a lot of outlier music , and want to be capable to find it in more than one means . Is Bob Dylan folks or singer - ballad maker ? Is Phish a jam band or a rock band ? Is Brian Eno ’s music alternative , electronic , ambient , or something else ? Multiple musical genre would let you apply multiple classifications for each of these artist . Again , you could create a genre that combines several into one , but that ’s a poor workaround .
5. Allow ePub reading in iTunes
While I do n’t necessarily desire to interpret ebooks on my Mac , I would sometimes wish to take a glance at the content of one of the ePub books in my iTunes library . iTunes displays PDFs by commit them to Preview ; it should offer a display of ePubs as well , even within iTunes .
6. Allow keyword tagging
iPhoto gives easy keyword tagging ; iTunes should have this as well .
Programs such as iPhoto allow you to tag items with keywords . iTunes should offer this same possibility . You might want to enter the name calling of artists , songwriter , or producer ; you might want to sum the locale where a live transcription was made ; or you might need to impart other information that you would later utilize to create smart playlists .
7. Offer smart playlist templates and playlist layout templates
If you make a lot of smart playlists , you ’ll find that you often use many of the same condition , but each clock time you make a new one , you have to start over from scrape . iTunes should allow for you to save smart playlist templates so you may easily use the same term with a new playlist . Doug Adams has releaseda loose political platform called Smartsthat does this , but it would be utilitarian if iTunes could manage play list templates .
Also , I find that for both wise and regular playlist , I tend to want certain column to display . But I always have to make changes , as each new playlist takes on default display setting that I ca n’t alter . I ’d lie with to be able to copy the video display configurations from one playlist and apply them to another , or computer storage default configurations , much as you’re able to do in the Finder .
8. Provide more font size settings
With the advent of larger displays , using small-scale pixel , I detect that iTunes ’ font sizes are n’t always ideal . I ’d like more flexibility so my aging eyes can see the info in my iTunes library a bit more easily .
Those are my choices for new , minor feature article . What about you ? What do you want to see in the next version of iTunes ?
[ Senior contributor Kirk McElhearn write about more than just Macs on his blogKirkville . Twitter:@mcelhearnKirk is the author ofTake Control of iTunes 10 : The FAQ . ]
The iTunes Store displays label information. Searching for it shouldn’t be too hard.
iTunes 10
The iTunes Store displays label information. Searching for it shouldn’t be too hard.
iPhoto gives easy keyword tagging; iTunes should have this as well.
