• On GameFAQs: The top 10 best uses of the Konami code
August 20, 2008 12:00 AM PDT

Featured Freeware: iTunes

by Seth Rosenblatt

As old as it is, iTunes isn't the oldest free media player around. Since it was married to the iPod, though, there's been no denying that it's the industry standard for multipurpose jukebox software and that the program has become practically synonymous with media playback. Available for Windows and Mac, iTunes handles music and video equally well in a clean layout.

The bundling with the iPod and iPhone have made it the powerhouse that it is: neither device will function unless you connect it to iTunes first. The connections to the iTunes Store and App Store are indispensable, although fans of the Amazon store will have to look elsewhere. The Mac version is virtually flawless, except for that lack of customization. The Windows version works almost as well, but is infamous not only for being stiff compared with jukeboxes originally designed for Windows, but also for being bloated and occasionally sluggish.

Among the top-shelf features are smart playlists, CD burning, label printing, the capability to rip files in multiple formats, network sharing, Album and Cover Flow view options for flipping through your CDs and movies in style, ringtone editing, parental controls, integrated podcasts, and a smart-shuffle option.

Recent posts from The Download Blog
Silverlight 3 debuts ahead of Friday's launch
Selected Search speeds up on-page searching
Android ringtone swap: First Look video
Archive your e-mail from almost any account
An epitaph for the Web standard, XHTML 2
Google plans Chrome-based Web operating system
Sharetones: Make a ton of ringtones on Android
HideTab lets you cloak embarrassing tabs quickly
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by rajgarh August 20, 2008 2:41 AM PDT
it is an oustanding software
Reply to this comment
by cogwac August 20, 2008 9:38 AM PDT
iTunes is great . . . at a lot of things. But the ability to discover new music (e.g. recommendations) is very limited.

Here's another free download on CNET: http://www.download.com/NuTsie-sideTunes/3000-2168_4-10850918.html?hhTest=1&tag=lst-1&cdlPid=10854555

You set a slider to mix in as much new music you want to discover.
Reply to this comment
by wb23fi August 31, 2008 2:54 AM PDT
I mainly use realplayer as it plays ra files that I d/l from bbc radio. But if it wasn't for that I'd use I tunes all the time as I think it's a great free player. Now I mainly use it for d/l podcasts & listening to audiobooks
Reply to this comment
(3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next

Search Download Blog posts

advertisement
mySimon Outdoor Gear mySimon Swimwear mySimon Home and Garden

About The Download Blog

Download.com editors cover the world of downloadable software and beyond.

Add this feed to your online news reader

The Download Blog topics