Q: alternatives to iTunes on Mac?
So now when Apple totally downgraded iTunes 11 to become cumbersome and pointless as a music listening application and even for shopping at iTMS (they seel too many tracks or what?) by removing fully working very usable features like:
- proper search
- proper cover handling with multiple images (that you also typically get with Digital purchases)
- Lack of duplicate listing feature
- removal of next/previous buttons when in album mode info window
just to name a few* dumb moves, what usable alternatives are there out there that are:
- compatible with the iTunes library format**
- have the obvious features missing in iTunes present and implemented well
- are sane in an Apple-like way and user-friendly, now when Apple isn't, before having "features" that are really not that important
?
What suggestions for an improved user music experience do you have to share with us all?
For me Mavericks 10.9.x is the environment.
*I've been a user since it was called "Soundjam" so have seen them come since 15 years
** I still want to use iTunes for Wifi syncing and iTunes match
Posted on Jul 12, 2014 9:23 AM
Peter, I think you're missing how I meant "more". I am still using iTunes, just not for music listening and local playlist making.
I use iTunes for
- Importing music I purchase or receive (automatically)
- Watch and store video, that I typically want to sync with my devices
- Sync to my devices
- Create playlists for use on my devices or in Traktor
- Storing my main music library
- Storing local podcasts (only music). Otherwise handling podcast directly on devices
What Swinsian does is
- Reading my main music library as well as additional ones, including playlists
- Creating playlists for local listening (I need a way to get playlists back to iTunes, for use in Traktor or on devices)
- Assisting in finding duplicates across several libraries
- Give me an interface I can use for music! It's just how I want a musical interface should work. The iTunes fluff just get into the way and actively prevents me from finding my music, i e to listen to music.
- This includes making a smart playlist to present my music
- Detailed smart searches in the context I've chosen (Library or playlist, incl smart playlist) kept independent from other contexts. Something iTunes does NOT do.
- Navigate albums by art
- Sort playlists and search results
Posted on Oct 24, 2014 6:29 AM
