How to stop iTunes from launching when using Keyboard media keys

Temporary fix: put iTunes in the trashcan when you want to use the remote (that also activates it), or any other keyboard keys. Take it out afterward

A bug here. But I guess Apple sees that as a feature.

Anyway I like Spotify and media keys working together on my macbook. I would like to have this iTunes behavior optional.

I'm having a similar problem using my Apple Remote with the Hulu desktop, which worked like a dream until I upgraded to 10.6 today.

If this is something Apple tries to pass off as a "feature," in any way, then I will leave the Mac ecosystem. Way to go, idiots. Way to make every accusation, every Apple Hater criticism of the Mac true. If I knew I was buying a computer that would only allow me to do 3 or 4 things prescribed by the vender, I would have saved $3000 and bought a Tiger "My First Computer" at Toys R Us.

This only seems to work until OSX "Find" iTunes or FrontRow again in the trash.

One solution I saw on another forum that helps (for now), is to just open QuickTime X (with no file loaded, obviously). This seems to allow me to use my remote normally in both Hulu and Boxee. Haven't tried it with other media players. Not sure how that effects the media buttons, though.

Also, that doesn't stop the "bezel control". Scrolling up and down through menus will still raise/lower the system volume. Turning off bezel control means you lose keyboard shortcuts for screen brightness, keyboard brightness, etc. Won't effect me because I only need the remote at home where I use optical out. Just a heads up though.

I believe that this is an intentional 'feature', but one that Apple can be shamed into repealing. If the media keys/Apple remote can only be used for iTunes, this seriously limits their usefulness. I was sold an Apple remote for controlling my computer's media abilities, not an iTunes remote. At the very least, make this a configurable option!

I can't believe I cannot turn this off easily! What a disgrace.

I would like this will be fixed too.
I want an only "play/pause" key, not an "open iTunes" key.

Message was edited by: dous pessos

Message was edited by: dous pessos

This is a hideous feature and a massive oversight. Spotify is essentially crippled by this rubbish hotkey inclusion. Like someone else said, the play/pause key has now become a 'launch iTunes' key. Terrible.

"Launch iTunes" key... or better: the "f*ck Spotify" key 🙂

Same issue here also, frankly I am surprised there is not more of an outcry about this than there is. Does this in fact happen on all machines or is it just some?

Anyone have a machine with 10.6 that does not do this now?

I third the motion. I hate it. Why make it a feature? When there were 0 new features in SL. I downgraded my mini back to 10.5 waste of a family pack. The mini is used to display EyeTV 1080p with mira controlling the remote keys, for boxee, EyeTV, Hulu and plex. I can't stand front row and iTunes launching. Front row you can disable remoteui but iTunes...

I just want to add my discontent to the general outcry. Hopefully if enough people do this, then Apple will pay attention and disable the 'feature'. It's very, very annoying.

I'm annoyed by this behavior as well, I googled looking for some configuration to change, but now that I see it's a snow leopard "feature" I guess I can stop looking and look again when it's out longer.
Why include a useless new "feature" in a 0 new features OS, Anyone can launch itunes in no time with spotlight or quicksilver, assuming they don't have it in the dock.

I'm finding this new feature annoying as well. I use my iMac as a TV with elgato hardware and software. So far it has been great and I particularly appreciate being able to pause live TV. Unfortunately, since upgrading to 10.6, pausing the TV with the apple remote now launches iTunes, with the effect that playing the TV again now starts playing music in iTunes and playing the TV simultaneously! Nightmare!

Please sort this out Apple as I really like 10.6 other than this and don't want to revert to 10.5

My temporary hack to stop it until Apple gives us a choice to disable this PITA feature.

Paste this into Apple Script Editor, compile it make sure there are no errors and save it as an App. When launched it simply asks you to enable or disable iTunes from launching by changing the execute permission. It stops iTunes from launching and the only thing you get when the play/pause button is pressed is a dock bounce and a console error.

display dialog "Do you want to enable or disable iTunes?" buttons {"Enable", "Disable"} default button 1
if button returned of result is "Disable" then
do shell script "chmod -x /Applications/iTunes.app" with administrator privileges
else
do shell script "chmod +x /Applications/iTunes.app" with administrator privileges
end if