Access, stream, download from remote iTunes libraries.
HookUp enables streaming and downloading of music and movies directly through the iTunes interface, allowing a user to play and download from every computer running iTunes in a remote network as well as the local network. HookUp also allows sharing with unlimited friends or users, and even remote iPhoto sharing. HookUp has an intuitive interface that shows who's connected and the libraries accessible. It also has an iTunes toolbar to download, monitor activity and access available shares. HookUp shares show up in iTunes, in the same way as local shares. The download capabilities are activated with the Download Plug-in, which can be purchased from the DOT.TUNES website.
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Actually I'm using 1.0.0.299. I love this thing. Once configured it's absolutely solid and beautifully and seamlessly integrated with iTunes. I use it to listen to my home library wherever I am in the world - no more need to try to keep a copy of my music collection sync'd on my laptop.
The developer is a bit of an enigma. There's no way that I've found to contact them. While their website and software are very professional, that's a bit troubling. Updates are few and far between. I can't figure out their business model since this superb product is free, and I live in dread of this product being orphaned as I've come to really depend on it.
Feature-wise, about the only thing I'd like to see is retention of (or preferences for) column browser settings. It's a nuisance to have to arrange the columns each time I relaunch or reconnect. I want to see Year and Track Number and I don't want Rating and Genre, for example.
It's possible to get into a sort of locked-up situation if you accidentally try to share your local library and you don't have sharing enabled in iTunes. A dialog appears telling you to turn on iTunes' sharing, and the only way to dismiss it is to turn on iTunes sharing or force-quite HookUp.