John Gruber of iTunes 11

Exit iTunes 11 expectedly caused conflicting opinions among users. It is clear that extremely difficult to create a product that can satisfy every person of such a huge audience. Below, we offer a free transfer John Gruber's thoughts about the new version of iTunes.

It is obvious that iTunes 11 - this is not an entirely new product. Under the new shell hides all the same iTunes, although do not tell at first glance. The new version has inherited all the features of the previous one. The main problem, which tried to solve Apple - iTunes 10 cluttered.

The new design is impressive. This thought came to me, even during the first presentation of iTunes 11 in September, and after a few hours of direct work in the new iTunes this feeling only intensified. iTunes 11 shows how to be a modern Mac application. IOS peculiar principle of reducing the number of simultaneously visible content within the app works fine, and the rejection of the sidebar - definitely a good solution. This panel was a problem in that it contains in itself absolutely everything from the content libraries to playlists and devices. The attempt to place all in one list - not the best idea.

Current interface seems far more logical. We have a horizontal bar at the top of the window. Left - the library. In the center - what the user is looking at the moment. Right - the device and store. Click on the "Devices", and in front of us a clear list of available devices to display the available memory, and in the case of connecting via USB even with the battery indicator. Correct and clear separation.

old school

If we look beyond the new main window and a new MiniPlayer, then there is little that has changed. Even the new features presented in the form of the usual dialog windows.

Expanded View

Expanded View can be called the best design solution in the new iTunes. Now when you open any list of a user actually has access to the content of interest while remaining in the same place. Adds charms and decoration list in accordance with the color gamut covers. It seems as if holding a real drive with a single design style.

AppleScript

It is still running AppleScript, and does so even new elements (the same Expanded View). We can not vouch for the full operation of all the old scripts, but the ones that were used by me - work fine.

Font

For the execution of all the text elements of the main window to use the font Helvetica. He has a good view on the usual Mac, as in the Retina MacBook Pro - just gorgeous. It is possible to assume that not so distant time when the font will replace the currently reigning in Lucida Grande.

Animation

iTunes 11 has turned out not so animated, how could he imagine taking into account the impact of iOS. It is obvious that in some places, such as the transition from the library to the iTunes Store and switching between the player window size, the animation would have looked out of place.

Up Next

I always wanted to play list displayed this way: displays the following songs in the list, and the ability to change their prioritization. Some users might upset the inability to revert to the old control method.

MiniPlayer

The September presentation Jeff Robbin said that the main purpose of the redesign is MiniPlayer providing the user with all the features that he may need, without having to exit the compact mode. Apparently, it is it almost succeeded, with only one amendment: now it is not actually mode. In iTunes 11 MiniPlayer is essentially a separate window. For this reason, I want to ask again: why missing animation when you switch between windows? It is hoped that it will add later.