Where is option to have side bar in iTunes 12 ?

rjkilmer16 wrote:

Now they take it out completely.

That clearly isn't true. Saying that the sidebar has been completely removed just confuses the issue, which is about what it does contain when it is visible & the lack of any way to make it always visible.

If you are going to send Apple any feedback about what you want, you need to be clear about that.

Actually, yes, it is true.

A playlist that displays on the side, and that activates only when certain tabs are open, is not at all the same thing from a sidebar that can be configured to display a personalized set of links (including playlists) and to display at all times. That is what I am missing and want back. Top menus and drop-down menus are spatially less comfortable for me, and the presence of the sidebar (plus its customization to fit my needs rather than Apple's) was part of what made me prefer iTunes over other options in the first place. I'm sticking with 11 until it comes back, or until a competitor makes an even better option.

Thank you for this! i have been trying to figure this out for a few months, and apple is turning this into a "glitchy" thing. I just havent really had time to spend the time to figure this out.

Thanks!

LaraRebooted wrote:

...A playlist that displays on the side, and that activates only when certain tabs are open, is not at all the same thing from a sidebar that can be configured to display a personalized set of links (including playlists) and to display at all times. That is what I am missing and want back. Top menus and drop-down menus are spatially less comfortable for me, and the presence of the sidebar (plus its customization to fit my needs rather than Apple's) was part of what made me prefer iTunes over other options in the first place...

^^^ THIS ^^^

I have to say, I am counting the days to the end of my iPhone 5 phone contract, when I can be rid of Apple hardware and software once and for all.

I have owned Apple products for years and have always found iTunes a relatively easy program to get on with, albeit with a few quirks...but with each and every update it becomes more difficult to use. Features that are so readily needed are just hidden into obscurity or made obsolete for no obvious reason, other than design for the sake of re-design. Losing the default sidebar is probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen in a program overhaul: why? It's akin to losing a piano keyboard on a music sequencer. I don't get it.

I consider myself very PC literate, but had to 'Google' how to find my iPhone on iTunes 12 to put single tracks directly on the device. Having to 'Google' how to use a program shows just how counter-intuitive it has become from a long-term user perspective and most likely new users are having a similar navigation issue - it's just so awkward to use out of the 'box'. 10 years ago I had a creative MP3 player where I could drag and drop tunes and playlists...it was simple and effective. How can things go so far in reverse? In the sidebar I could scroll through my songs and just pick them out and drag them across to my iPhone easily and simply...now it's an obscure option in a 'playlists' menu.

I'm not going to go into my hardware issues, that's another story with an ending that goes as follows...'farewell Apple'.

Exactly.

I swear I spend more time on Google trying to figure out how my Apple "upgrades" works than I do actually using them.

Case in point - needed Google to show me how to make my printer work again after Mavericks. You would think that Apple had heard of HP printers.

The ironically hilarious part is that in attempting to make a more simplified front-end interface (aesthetically pleasing to Apple) they have made it far more complex to navigate. You have to 'Google' everything for a quick guide, or search forums for more in depth information on how it works and where to find stuff. Most often, the suggestions are a workaround to design flaws. There was certainly a stage when iTunes seemed just fine. Now I hate it.

Design had been a corner-stone for Apple, which made them stand out and become a market leader. Their products just worked simply and effectively: the mark of a quality design. That corner-stone has since been weathered and beaten - it's edge has gone and it shows. The software is non-intuitive, to the point I'd say it is hard going to have to re-learn everything every few updates, and all through 'trial and error', 'Google' and forums. Nothing is simple with Apple anymore.

Have to say I totally agree , these seemingly pointless updates that have you searching around for stuff and having to use Google to find out anything is absolutely crazy and smacks of very poor Customer relations. Between this and that fact that I can no longer playback anything using Itunes on my PC has made me look around at other options.

Anytime I attempt to playback any music at all it starts skipping. I have now found what looks to be a better option in that I am able to use playback with a program called MusicBee and appears to all the features of itunes. I have a number of ipods, 2 iphones and and an ipad. My most recent purchase was actually a Galaxy Tablet and and to be fair when I will be upgrading the phones, I will be giving Samsung and Sony much more weight in my consideration. I have become a Very very disgruntled user of Apple products

Thank God. I thought it was just me. What a horrible update!

As we move through time, things are getting worse and not better. The horrible flat GUI for one. The loss of usability and functionality is another. It doesnt "just work" anymore, does it.

Apple has reinvented the wheel on iTunes enough time to run you over with an 18 wheeler....they just don't get it. I miss Steve Jobs, he was like a Sheep herder, now the apple sheep are just wandering aimlessly...

Well, seems that I cannot get updates from the App Store since I deleted iTunes 12 and re-installed iTunes 11.

Only exception is OS updates - everything else bounces with a "cannot download message try using the Purchases Page". Yes, I've cleared the Appstore cache.

My MacHead buddy thinks my iTunes 11/12 reversal might have somehow broken the connection to the App Store for updates. Anybody else having this problem?

Apple should be all over this.

It's obvious they screwed up and lots of customers aren't happy about learning a new, more complicated iTunes interface. They've screwed up on things before. (I'm looking at you iPhone 4). The Steve Jobs run Apple listened and took quick action to make things right.

New management needs to up their game, it's not like they're running Microsoft. Apple customers expect action and we expect things to actually work.

Just ran across this: http://pastebin.com/mnaJUf3e

It has a few good points... in there, bring back the sidebar.

But the sidebar isn't removed...

Totally agree. With this many complaints i can't believe they haven't fixed it yet!?