[srb]

iTunes has done a major update with iTunes 12.  It all seems pretty logical and probably a bit more intuitive, and in this case only takes a short session to become acquainted with the changes.

ITUNES ICON
For the first time, the iTunes icon is now RED!  Probably doesn't make much difference to many users, but because I also use JRiver, I had two small blue icons in the taskbar notification area that looked very similar and are now quite differentiated.

ITUNES RADIO
My existing radio station playlist was constructed by entering URLs (File > Open Stream) and saving them to a playlist, and I hadn't used the iTunes Radio function since they changed it from browsing for actual radio stations versus what seems like iTunes-produced "stations" or those of aligned partners.  (I believe iTunes 11 actually has the same Radio scheme, but I'm now just looking into it a little closer.)

What they're trying to accomplish is more iTunes sales to make it very easy purchase the song you're listening to with a button displaying the song price in the display without having to search for it in the iTunes store.  I don't fault them for that as long as they keep the Open Stream function of adding your own URLs, which they have.

Trying to add a station in the Radio "app" only gives you the option of searching for a artist, song or genre.  The search results are small in number.  I added a jazz "station" and tried clicking the Next transport button.  That advanced to a new song and I clicked again and advanced to another new song.  But on my third click, the audio said something to the effect of, "We're really sorry to interrupt you, but wanted to tell you about the exciting new ....".  Now I was looking at a graphic of the new Swiffer Wet Jet Mop and hearing about its incredible features and performance!  Say what?!

ARTIS, GENRE or COMPOSER HEADER
This is actually the reason behind my post and is surely a bug, but a Google search hasn't revealed any talk about it yet.  As in iTunes 11, iTunes 12 also has the feature of clicking on an album to expand and reveal the album's songs.  There is an option in Preferences > General that allows you to disable the song list from inheriting some algorithm of the album's color scheme as the background (Views: Use custom colors for open albums, movies, etc.).  I prefer to see them all with the same light grey background with black text, so I uncheck it.

However, when you are looking at individual Artists, Genres or Composers in the Artist, Genre or Composer views, the large header at the top inherits album colors as the background, but unlike the album song view, the text doesn't change to white for darker color backgrounds, making the majority of them entirely unreadable.  I'm sure this will be addressed, and I'd like to see the same option to disable it, either separately or with the exiting Views: Use custom colors .... checkbox.

But other than this obvious glitch, I like it so far.

Steve

[dB Cooper]

The little three dots on the left of the toolbar, when clicked, should show 'internet radio' which allows specific (real) stations. Haven't yet tried to add a station in this version but the ones I already made are there in the particular playlist. Generally I don't like the way itunes manages user added URLs.


Tried itunes radio when it first came out but was underwhelmed.
I don't use iTunes much; it is bloatware. My own music is in lossless format which I play in various other players; for online radio I suggest giving the very lightweight FStream a try. If you want more bells and whistles and the ability to timer-record losslessly (no resampling), Snowtape works pretty well. YMMV on all of the above of course.

[srb]

Okay, that's where the original Internet Radio list is, and "Radio" is an altogether different iTunes Store-centric application.

I use JRiver Media Center as the primary player and iTunes for native streaming to Airport Express locations and iPod synchronization with on-the-fly 256kbps AAC conversion.

JRiver's "Scheduler" allows for scheduled digital stream recording and playback either as a onetime or recurring event.  It not only makes additional radio stream software unnecessary, but I can add library songs to the queue ending with a radio station playing, which is a scenario I use quite often.

Steve

[bladesmith]

Looked at the new iTunes yesterday. I liked the old very well. but, Im sure I will get use to the new.

I basically use it for a library. I have 90% flac music and I send it there, of course it is converted to apple loss-less. Then that is where I go for my music enjoyment. But, rarely listen/use the other options.

Red ?

Not sure why they did that. Still like my Mac mini.