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iTunes 8.1 coming soon, required for new iPod Shuffle

Andrew Lyle   on 11 March 2009 - 18:52 · 24 comments & 7736 views

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After a surprising announcement this morning from Apple about a new redesigned iPod Shuffle, offering 4GB of storage in a very compact case, Apple also announced iTunes 8.1.

Many users might be disappointed when purchasing the item, as it requires iTunes 8.1, something Apple has yet to release. Apple has changed their web site to displayed iTunes 8.1 is coming soon with no release date.

iTunes 8.1 promises to get a speed boost when loading large libraries, browsing the iTunes Store, and syncing your devices. The store will also default audio imports to 256-kbps AAC when ripping tracks for improved overall quality of each track. The new update will also offer the option for parent controls to disable the entire iTunes Store to prevent purchasing.

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(1 reply) #1 John. on 11 Mar 2009 - 19:28
I expect this to go live within the next week, given the new Shuffles ship in 5 days.
#1.1 RAID 0 on 11 Mar 2009 - 19:30
One would think... or hope.
(2 replies) #2 cpenner on 11 Mar 2009 - 19:40
I think the article should read "256-kbps AAC"...
#2.1 Stanclift on 11 Mar 2009 - 20:46
Fixed. Typo that we missed.
#2.2 cpenner on 11 Mar 2009 - 23:56
(2 replies) #3 -Bryce- on 11 Mar 2009 - 19:44
I wish they would update the gui for windows iTunes. Make it look more native to vista. Instead we get mac osx hybrid being forced into windows environment.
#3.1 Calum on 11 Mar 2009 - 23:36
Hopefully they will soon enough, judging by the Windows version of Safari 4
#3.2 DanielZ on 12 Mar 2009 - 01:52
Yeah. Good to see Apple's given up on taking over Windows with the Mac UI.
(3 replies) #4 rakeshishere on 11 Mar 2009 - 19:56
Wake me up when iTunes 9 releases.

kthnxbye
#4.1 -Bryce- on 11 Mar 2009 - 22:37
rakeshishere said,
Wake me up when iTunes 9 releases.

kthnxbye


amen
#4.2 Mr. Andrews on 11 Mar 2009 - 23:16
We don't even know what iTunes 8.1 really is. I wouldn't dismiss it so quickly

Judging from what Apple did with Safari, you could be getting exactly what you want.
#4.3 Calum on 11 Mar 2009 - 23:37
Mr. Andrews said,
We don't even know what iTunes 8.1 really is. I wouldn't dismiss it so quickly

Judging from what Apple did with Safari, you could be getting exactly what you want.


Hopefully
#5 +techbeck on 11 Mar 2009 - 20:06
I will stick with Winamp for iPod syncing TYVM
(1 reply) #6 The.Clinton on 11 Mar 2009 - 22:03
The remote app on the iPhone/iPod Touch was updated today for 8.1 support...
#6.1 ]SK[ on 11 Mar 2009 - 22:33
Yup I just updated this too.
#7 McoreD on 11 Mar 2009 - 22:44
They really need to go for a SQLite or SQL solution for the iTunes Database...
(1 reply) #8 andrewbares on 11 Mar 2009 - 23:24
All I hear about iTunes is that it's bloated and ugly. I think, based off of what I've heard, they need to restart iTunes from scratch.

And also, why does iTunes have to copy all of your songs into a certain folder just to play them? (Based off of what I've heard and the few times I've used it) Why can't it keep the files where they are and just store the information needed to find the songs where they originally are? With the Zune software, it automatically scans your computer for new songs. Any songs that you have on your computer, it will find, and then add them to your collection, BUT it doesn't waste time making an extra copy in the Zune folder, it just leaves the files where they are. Why doesn't iTunes do that? It's way easier and faster for users.
#8.1 Sam Symons Live on 11 Mar 2009 - 23:31
andrewbares said,
All I hear about iTunes is that it's bloated and ugly. I think, based off of what I've heard, they need to restart iTunes from scratch.

And also, why does iTunes have to copy all of your songs into a certain folder just to play them? (Based off of what I've heard and the few times I've used it) Why can't it keep the files where they are and just store the information needed to find the songs where they originally are? With the Zune software, it automatically scans your computer for new songs. Any songs that you have on your computer, it will find, and then add them to your collection, BUT it doesn't waste time making an extra copy in the Zune folder, it just leaves the files where they are. Why doesn't iTunes do that? It's way easier and faster for users.

You can disable it doing that
#9 RealFduch on 12 Mar 2009 - 00:47
Is it only me or does anyone else find all those "2/4/8/16 Gb" models stupid?
Just make a microSD slot and insert any memory card you want.
The only reason I can imagine is money. Charging ridiculous amount of money for +4Gb "model".
#10 IbSta on 12 Mar 2009 - 01:17
Umm I just got the update for 8.1.....right now.
(1 reply) #11 luis mazza on 12 Mar 2009 - 01:39
I hate that Apple changed the way we copy music to the devices. No drag and drop in Itunes 8. This is RIDICULOUS. I have to use the older versions or create boring playlists.
#11.1 FusionOpz on 12 Mar 2009 - 19:50
odd I can drag and drop in itunes 8 :/
You just have to enable that option on the ipod's setting page.
#12 dp123 on 12 Mar 2009 - 02:09
And also, why does iTunes have to copy all of your songs into a certain folder just to play them? (Based off of what I've heard and the few times I've used it)


I don't know; why do dumbasses believe what they hear rather than figuring out the truth for themselves? i.e. You are wrong.
#13 Angry_Badger on 12 Mar 2009 - 23:04
Let me know when they fix the QuickTime Vista x64 browser plugin bug that blacks out all the controls. How many years are they going to need to fix this simple issue?

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