I'm running my old iPhone 5 in my car like an iPod but the latest versions of iTunes have made it almost worthless to play the music I already own. Is there an app that will bypass iTunes and just play my music like iTunes used to do before they tried to funnel me to the Store, the Cloud, some streaming radio station and something else I don't want?
aTunes* - http://www.atunes.org/?page_id=6 Check about additional components required for full features.
Songbird (no longer updated, see Nightingale) - http://sourceforge.net/projects/songbird.mirror/
Nightingale - http://getnightingale.com
Jajuk* - http://jajuk.info/index.php/Mac_OS_installation_guide
*Run under Java 6 which may be slower.
2014 topic on iTunes alternatives - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6446268
http://swinsian.com/ - commercial
More alternative reviews - http://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/mac-music-players
BUT you will need to keep iTunes in order to sync with your iPhone and I don't know to what extent you will have two applications fighting over media organization, not actually using any of these other applications myself.
Your responses are being deleted because they violate the TOU of this forum. We are all users here, so attacking people is counterproductive. I update my iTunes every time there is an update. I am not directed toward any subscriptions at any point, so have no clue what you are on about regarding that particular "point".
KW provided clear answers to the issues you see with iTunes. You don't have to like the answers, but arguing here is pointless. If you want to complain, then tell Apple: Apple - Feedback
GB
Kenichi, are you kidding? You must work for Apple (and not Steve Job's Apple I might add). Or you weren't even around when iTunes used to work properly.
I am in complete agreement with Onobo. In the old iTunes you could actually scroll through and play your music (that you payed for) with ease. But now you have to sift through layers and layers of attempts to steer you away from the music you actually paid for! And sure you can change the settings, but with each update, you have to go back and change everything again.
The last straw for me was when iTunes automatically hijacked all of my music (that I paid for as CD's) to the iCloud and would not even let me play my music files on my MacBook Pro unless I was connected to the iCloud hijacked files via wifi. Really? Who's brilliant idea was that? Who's stealing the music now? You guessed it, Apple. Furthermore, the new iTunes interface is just not intuitive, the scrubbing bar has disappeared, the repeat song button is buried, and on and on. iTunes is long gone. RIP. Fortunately there are alternatives.
And while we're at it:
1) Why aren't the new iPhones waterproof like the competition?
2) Why isn't the camera as good?
3) Why does my 12 month old iPhone 6 Plus require a recharge after 5 hours of mild use? (with all the apps closed btw)
Huh? (((crickets)))
Sincerely,
JBnodule, 46
Apple user since the original Mac.
I've been using using iTunes since version one dot nothing, when it was an Mac OS 9 -only app. And I used the program that Apple bought (called SoundJam MP by Casady & Greene) and turned into iTunes. It's you who do not seem to understand how to use iTunes... 🙂
In current iTunes, navigation revolves around the horizontal bar that goes across iTunes window. If you want it to look and feel like old iTunes, at the left end of horizontal bar, click the Music button to show your music library. Near the middle of horizontal bar, click Playlists; the sidebar appears along left side of window. At the right end of horizontal bar, click the control to change the view to Songs; the music library is shown as a simple list, with columns. There are no "layers" and nothing is "steering" you except for your imagination.
If you are referring to Apple Music, it does not "hijack" your song files that are stored on your computer's drive. The iCloud Music Library is an additional service that allows you to access your library on other associated computers and devices that you own. It does not alter your original files stored on your Mac, unless you do something like delete those files intentionally. Keep and back up your original files, like you did before Apple Music.
If you show your iTunes window like I described above, it's not that different from the original iTunes window when iTunes only supported audio files. As more and more features were added to iTunes, such as iPod support, iTunes Store, podcasts, audiobooks, videos, apps, etc., it became a convoluted experience, especially for brand new users. Version 11 was an attempt to re-design it - not well done (but you could set it to look and work mostly like the previous version). Version 12 is better. It removes the clutter while keeping the familiar (like the sidebar that appears when needed and useful).
the scrubbing bar has disappeared
It's along the bottom edge of the Now Playing box, at the top of the window.
the repeat song button is buried
From the menu bar, Controls -> Repeat -> One. That's one action. It may be out of sight, but hardly "buried."
Apple user since the original Mac.
The need to convince others of being a "long time Apple fan" is quite telling... 😉
Kenichi Watanabe wrote:
I've been using using iTunes since version one dot nothing, when it was an Mac OS 9 -only app. And I used the program that Apple bought (called SoundJam MP by Casady & Greene) and turned into iTunes.
I think I still have my SoundJam disks around somewhere.
Onobo,
There is no app like the original iTunes.
The organization of your files is not as simple to navigate anymore.
You will be driven toward a monthly subscription, especially after each update.
Your files that you own will be grayed out upon use of iCloud.
The convenient scrubber is gone from the main screen, unless (A) you do an up-swipe and (B) you can fit your finger on the new tiny, paper thin scrubber.
The convenient repeat 1 button is buried, and requires several maneuvers now.
Kenichi, I can't reply any further as my accurate responses are being deleted.
Kenichi, I can't reply any further as my accurate responses are being deleted.
I'm devastated... 🙂 I'll have to take solace by setting iTunes to Repeat One on my my favorite OWNED song and casually scrubbing to my favorite spots.
Thanks for the information gail from maine. Of course I already know the TOU, and I wasn't "attacking". I responded to Kenichi's comments and someone at Apple didn't like the truth (twice). Post Version 11, I "take solace" in alternative apps and I suspect Onobo will be doing the same. Viva capitalism. 😉
onobo wrote:
I'm running my old iPhone 5 in my car like an iPod but the latest versions of iTunes have made it almost worthless to play the music I already own.
What does using your iPhone in the car have to do with you wanting a different version of iTunes?
Using my iPhone in my car only matters in that the buttons have gotten smaller and there are options I don't want or need (For You, New, Radio and Connect, whatever that is) that complicate just finding and playing my music. To gain any control over what music is playing you have to slide up the tiny slice that is the song and half the time I end up with my iPhone (now an iPhod) asking if I want to start my free trial for Apple Music.
Now I realize I may be in the minority of users. I travel to the Amazon, just returned from 11 days in China and now I'm in London. I don't always have access to fast wifi or cellular data so the Cloud is useless to me and, like jnodule, I resent being forced that direction constantly by Apple.
And for all you 'been an Apple person forever', I had almost the first Mac Plus ever made (special deal for students at San Jose State) that replaced my Apple II and I'm guessing 99% of people on this discussion site didn't know the Apple II existed much less ever seen one. Apple is still the best, but I'm not sure it's quite what it used to be but have faith it will be again.
onobo wrote:
Using my iPhone in my car only matters in that the buttons have gotten smaller and there are options I don't want or need (For You, New, Radio
Again, so what does your using your iPhone in your car have to do with you not liking iTunes?
Pick a topic and go with it.
Who's gonna win the Super Bowl next year. Keep in mind I like beef stew.
"Someone at Apple" is moderating the discussion, as Apple should, for a discussion forum that officially represents Apple.
If you post your problems with iTunes, one specific problem at a time, as a new topic, other Apple users here will try to help you resolve those problems, one problem at a time. For example, you said in your first post in this topic, the scrubbing bar has disappeared. I pointed out that it had not disappeared, and where to find it. Problem resolved (although the problem then became the scrubbing bar is too thin in your subsequent posts).
Try to resolve your other problems in the same way, by coming here to solve problems, not to have a rantfest.
onobo wrote:
And for all you 'been an Apple person forever', I had almost the first Mac Plus ever made (special deal for students at San Jose State) that replaced my Apple II and I'm guessing 99% of people on this discussion site didn't know the Apple II existed much less ever seen one.
Guess again....
GB
Wrong. I go back to the Apple II also.
What does that have to do with the plethora of stuff you have been throwing our way?
Just for your edification, I prefer bacon sarnies. Just case you are wonder, no I am not a Brit. I just like their food.
Allan Eckert wrote:
Just for your edification, I prefer bacon sarnies. Just case you are wonder, no I am not a Brit. I just like their food.
Anything with bacon (except cupcakes) if fine by me. Do you suppose there's a positive correlation between being a long time Apple product user and liking bacon?
Is there an app that's like old iTunes?
