ITunes 10 hands-on: snappier performance, questionable UI choices(arstechnica.com)
arstechnica.com
ITunes 10 hands-on: snappier performance, questionable UI choices
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/09/itunes-10-hands-on-snappier-performance-questionable-ui-choices.ars
9 comments
I don't like that ars usually don't test in Windows. At least for the photoshop and itunes articules I have read.
Has Apple ever followed the HIG when they didn't feel like it? It's a brilliant idea, coordinating UI across disparate apps from multiple companies, but I seem to recall that going all the way back to the 80s Apple has pretty freely disregarded the guidelines when they thought they had a better idea. (And at least some of the time, the "better idea" got worked into the next round of HIG, so maybe that's ok?)
It's OK by me as long as Apple continues to let third-party developers do the same.
This is fine for Mac apps, but Apple can kill iOS apps dead for this reason, while letting their own deviations slip through unimpeded.
In general, though, I think interface guidelines are like the rules of grammar: when you understand them well enough, you understand when it's okay to break them. Whether the change to the three upper-left buttons falls into this category is somewhat subjective.
In general, though, I think interface guidelines are like the rules of grammar: when you understand them well enough, you understand when it's okay to break them. Whether the change to the three upper-left buttons falls into this category is somewhat subjective.
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Personally, I would feel very uncomfortable having one application with vertical close/minimize buttons while others are horizontal. I wouldn't expect the introduction of this level of inconsistency from an Apple product.
In some sense, this behavior is more consistent than the old one. When minimized, that window always had, and still has, vertical close/minimized buttons.
You can set it back to horizontal if you want: defaults write com.apple.iTunes full-window -1
I'm surprised you have to use the command line to change such an option in an Apple product.
The reason that is a command line is because Apple expects users to not change it.
Yes, it should definitely be in the Preferences dialog!
I'm not that impressed with iTunes 10.. the grey icons are a disaster for quickly finding things; it refuses to play a TV Show I downloaded yesterday from ITMS (not authorized); and Ping is lame.
I'm not that impressed with iTunes 10.. the grey icons are a disaster for quickly finding things; it refuses to play a TV Show I downloaded yesterday from ITMS (not authorized); and Ping is lame.
Yes, it should definitely be in the Preferences dialog!
I recently started to use a Windows PC (granted it's XP) again and the number of preferences (e.g. system, Outlook) available is completely insane.
Sorry, that was indeed sarcasm. What's the sarcasm punctuation mark again?
You want secrets.prefpane :) (if you are a mac)
Edit: http://secrets.blacktree.com/
Edit: http://secrets.blacktree.com/
Alternatively you could use an application like Secrets that exposes a bunch of the settings in a friendly GUI sort of way. Already been updated for iTunes 10:
http://secrets.blacktree.com/
http://secrets.blacktree.com/
Uh, this is the norm for many settings in OS X.
They've used that same headline to describe that last 5 iTunes releases.
There is a big difference between usability and artistic sensibility. Ultimately, some people just have a difficult time reacting to change. iTunes 10 was released only two days ago. Why not let it sink in for a while?
There is a big difference between usability and artistic sensibility. Ultimately, some people just have a difficult time reacting to change. iTunes 10 was released only two days ago. Why not let it sink in for a while?
Because iTunes is a bloated moneymaking machine that has had very little thought put into UX since the store took off?
We get it. You don't understand iTunes.
I have a saying: Never ask a computer geek for music advice. They'll always give you a stupid answer.
I have a saying: Never ask a computer geek for music advice. They'll always give you a stupid answer.
Since upgrading to 10, all my music sounds flat and tinny. I have an audio cable running from my Mac Pro into my stereo. If I play a song via iTunes, it sounds like crap. If I plug the cable into my iPhone and play the same song, it sounds fine. Anyone else experiencing this?
Check the equalizer setting?
Check Preferences -> Playback -> Sound Enhancer, too.
My favorite iTunes feature insanity: When you listen to a song in the "Music" section of iTunes, you have a "pause" button; when you are listening and browsing iTunes store, the "pause" button inexplicably and detrimentally becomes "stop", so you have to re-navigate to "music" just to pause a song. Never mind that "stop" functionality is essentially pointless in digital music players anyway, if you are unfortunate enough to accidentally stop the song/podcast, you have to re-navigate to the Music section and manually restart the file and navigate to the right portion, only if you happen to know where that is.
* Yes I know you can right click on the song area and pause there. This is about UI design, not whether or not I can figure out how to pause a song.
* Yes I know you can right click on the song area and pause there. This is about UI design, not whether or not I can figure out how to pause a song.
It changes to a Stop button because when you press Play again it will start playing the currently visible playlist/screen rather than the previous playlist.
So let's say the Play button works the way you want it to:
- You start playing a playlist. The Play button turns into a pause button
- You navigate to a different playlist. The pause button does not change to a Stop button.
- Push this pause button. The music "pauses" and the button changes to a Play button.
- Now push the Play button. What happens? Does it resume the previous playlist? Or does it start playing the currently visible playlist?
Anyway, I use the Play/Pause button on my keyboard.
So let's say the Play button works the way you want it to:
- You start playing a playlist. The Play button turns into a pause button
- You navigate to a different playlist. The pause button does not change to a Stop button.
- Push this pause button. The music "pauses" and the button changes to a Play button.
- Now push the Play button. What happens? Does it resume the previous playlist? Or does it start playing the currently visible playlist?
Anyway, I use the Play/Pause button on my keyboard.
1. You can't press play again, it's just faded out.
2. What other playlist? I'm in the iTunes store. I haven't given any indication that I want to or even could specify another playlist to play.
2. That's exactly how it should work anyway. If I want to change the playlist, that's a different kind of event altogether from just pausing. Having one UI element try and control both is confusing. In this case, a dedicated stop button would actually be useful, as that could distinguish between pausing the current playlist and stopping it altogether. But removing relevant pause functionality just because you're in a different program section? Pointless.
2. What other playlist? I'm in the iTunes store. I haven't given any indication that I want to or even could specify another playlist to play.
2. That's exactly how it should work anyway. If I want to change the playlist, that's a different kind of event altogether from just pausing. Having one UI element try and control both is confusing. In this case, a dedicated stop button would actually be useful, as that could distinguish between pausing the current playlist and stopping it altogether. But removing relevant pause functionality just because you're in a different program section? Pointless.
> Right, because there's nothing to play.
There's nothing there to play because "pause" irrationally became "stop" for no apparent reason (remember there's no playlist in sight), and the user accidentally pressed it. There's no reason for it to be this way.
Why shouldn't the play button apply to songs, especially when it was played individually and not as a playlist? Seems like the type of thing a music player should do.
There's nothing there to play because "pause" irrationally became "stop" for no apparent reason (remember there's no playlist in sight), and the user accidentally pressed it. There's no reason for it to be this way.
Why shouldn't the play button apply to songs, especially when it was played individually and not as a playlist? Seems like the type of thing a music player should do.
The Previous, Play, and Next buttons apply to the screen you are currently viewing. They work just the same in the store as they do on any other iTunes screen.
The way they work is exactly the problem. Considering there's a lot you can do in iTunes, it makes more sense to have the control buttons apply to items independent of where you're browsing, as for example, Windows Media Player. The current behavior is confusing and pointless.
>You are forgetting these iTunes use cases:
None of those are contradictory to the idea of control consistency throughout iTunes, why would they be? In fact, deliberately selecting something and choosing specifically what to do with it fits perfectly with the "Have the control buttons control items you select or can only be one other possible item" method.
If the behavior isn't confusing, then why does it stop the track, but not let you restart it, even though there's nothing else to control? That is perfectly described as pointless and confusing.
None of those are contradictory to the idea of control consistency throughout iTunes, why would they be? In fact, deliberately selecting something and choosing specifically what to do with it fits perfectly with the "Have the control buttons control items you select or can only be one other possible item" method.
If the behavior isn't confusing, then why does it stop the track, but not let you restart it, even though there's nothing else to control? That is perfectly described as pointless and confusing.
> None of those are contradictory to the idea of control consistency throughout iTunes
Of course not. That's how iTunes already works, and iTunes is already consistent.
However, those things are contrary to your suggestion: "it makes more sense to have the control buttons apply to items independent of where you're browsing".
Look, it's clear you haven't really thought things through. You just need to learn how iTunes works. (You also need to learn how to reply to the correct comment)
It's very easy: The playback controls "always" apply to the playlist you are viewing. If you want to get back to the currently-playing playlist, click the little back-arrow in the right-hand side of the main display. You can't get more consistent than that.
You can also click the "Now Playing" window and that will also give you controls for the current playlist.
It's very easy.
Of course not. That's how iTunes already works, and iTunes is already consistent.
However, those things are contrary to your suggestion: "it makes more sense to have the control buttons apply to items independent of where you're browsing".
Look, it's clear you haven't really thought things through. You just need to learn how iTunes works. (You also need to learn how to reply to the correct comment)
It's very easy: The playback controls "always" apply to the playlist you are viewing. If you want to get back to the currently-playing playlist, click the little back-arrow in the right-hand side of the main display. You can't get more consistent than that.
You can also click the "Now Playing" window and that will also give you controls for the current playlist.
It's very easy.
>Of course not. That's how iTunes already works, and iTunes is already consistent.
What's consistent about arbitrarily removing 'pause' functionality when not necessary? That is not consistent, and it's poor usability.
> However, those things are contrary to your suggestion:
No. Browsing around non-playlist-determining sections of iTunes does not imply I want to change or stop a playlist/track. So why remove the pause function, if the only reason to do that is so you can start a new playlist?
>It's very easy: The playback controls "always" apply to the playlist you are viewing.
Which is of no use to anyone if they aren't viewing a play list at all. Really, this was established in my very first comment. It's the iTunes store. There is no playlist to play other than the one I selected to play in the first place. Why exactly prevent me from pausing, when there's just no reason that would be helpful. You still haven't answered this.
> It's very easy.
Multiple clicks/mouse positionings are never easier than just one. Never.
> Look, it's clear you haven't really thought things through. You just need to learn how iTunes works.
That's sort of pointless to claim. You haven't proven anything, so such grand pronouncements as to someones general comprehension of the issue are useless to everyone. I suggest you prove your point with a specific argument, instead of making unsupported assertions, basically that amounts to "You're just wrong." That's never really a help to a discussion.
>(You also need to learn how to reply to the correct comment)
And no, I already know which comment to reply to, but the link simply wasn't there. I suppose you think, as with the iTunes issue, that software always works perfectly.
What's consistent about arbitrarily removing 'pause' functionality when not necessary? That is not consistent, and it's poor usability.
> However, those things are contrary to your suggestion:
No. Browsing around non-playlist-determining sections of iTunes does not imply I want to change or stop a playlist/track. So why remove the pause function, if the only reason to do that is so you can start a new playlist?
>It's very easy: The playback controls "always" apply to the playlist you are viewing.
Which is of no use to anyone if they aren't viewing a play list at all. Really, this was established in my very first comment. It's the iTunes store. There is no playlist to play other than the one I selected to play in the first place. Why exactly prevent me from pausing, when there's just no reason that would be helpful. You still haven't answered this.
> It's very easy.
Multiple clicks/mouse positionings are never easier than just one. Never.
> Look, it's clear you haven't really thought things through. You just need to learn how iTunes works.
That's sort of pointless to claim. You haven't proven anything, so such grand pronouncements as to someones general comprehension of the issue are useless to everyone. I suggest you prove your point with a specific argument, instead of making unsupported assertions, basically that amounts to "You're just wrong." That's never really a help to a discussion.
>(You also need to learn how to reply to the correct comment)
And no, I already know which comment to reply to, but the link simply wasn't there. I suppose you think, as with the iTunes issue, that software always works perfectly.
>The main playback controls apply to the content in the main window.
First of all, that's wrong. You are able to stop a track in the iTunes store, so you can control media items from other areas of the program while browsing. You just can't pause, even though there are no new playlists to start in the iTunes store. So since you can't do anything with the stop/play button other than control the current track in the iTunes store, there remains a lack of explanation as to why I can't just pause a simple track while browsing iTunes.
Again, to simplify, the issue really is just this: "why can't there be pause functionality in iTunes store? What would it prevent? Why would it be better to keep just the 'stop' function?" If you can't answer that then you have no argument.
First of all, that's wrong. You are able to stop a track in the iTunes store, so you can control media items from other areas of the program while browsing. You just can't pause, even though there are no new playlists to start in the iTunes store. So since you can't do anything with the stop/play button other than control the current track in the iTunes store, there remains a lack of explanation as to why I can't just pause a simple track while browsing iTunes.
Again, to simplify, the issue really is just this: "why can't there be pause functionality in iTunes store? What would it prevent? Why would it be better to keep just the 'stop' function?" If you can't answer that then you have no argument.
> What's consistent about arbitrarily removing 'pause' functionality
There is absolutely nothing arbitrary about it.
I've lost track of how many times this has been repeated: The main playback controls apply to the content in the main window. It only seems arbitrary because you don't understand how iTunes works. I've offered suggestions in good faith, but you clearly aren't willing to listen.
There is absolutely nothing arbitrary about it.
I've lost track of how many times this has been repeated: The main playback controls apply to the content in the main window. It only seems arbitrary because you don't understand how iTunes works. I've offered suggestions in good faith, but you clearly aren't willing to listen.
You are forgetting these iTunes use cases:
- Select a track and push Play.
- Select an album and push Play.
- Select a playlist and push Play.
- Select iTunes DJ and push Play.
These are fundamental to iTunes. It is neither confusing nor pointless.
- Select a track and push Play.
- Select an album and push Play.
- Select a playlist and push Play.
- Select iTunes DJ and push Play.
These are fundamental to iTunes. It is neither confusing nor pointless.
> You can't press play again, it's just faded out.
Right, because there's nothing to play. If you preview a song in the store then the Play button becomes active.
The point is that the Play button does only control one thing: the playlist or screen that you are currently viewing.
It works the same whether you're switching between two playlists, or between a playlist and the store. How else would you have it work?
Right, because there's nothing to play. If you preview a song in the store then the Play button becomes active.
The point is that the Play button does only control one thing: the playlist or screen that you are currently viewing.
It works the same whether you're switching between two playlists, or between a playlist and the store. How else would you have it work?
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In the last picture what is the "checkbox" column for?
Syncing. Checkbox marks items you want to sync.
In regards to the close/min/max buttons... No, 'abomination' is not too strong a word.
The upscaled UI elements suggest a touch-based OS X in the near future. Anyone else think so?
There's evidence that Apple is considering it: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/08/23/apple_filing_s...