Apple iTunes 7

One compelling reason why the iPod is way ahead of its competitors is simply iTunes. Users love it for the simplicity, looks, and the embedded online music store. With just a couple of clicks, you can seamlessly purchase and download music for your iPod.

Apple recently released version 7 along with the new matchbox sized Shuffle, the updated (and more colorful) Nano, and the improved version of the iPod (with Video). Now that the software is in its 7th iteration, what else can Apple possibly offer?


Cover Flow

One of the most impressive element of version 7 (visual-wise) is what they call, Cover Flow. It's actually just a neat way of presenting the albums in your music library. Other music management software also lets you view and search for specific albums in the music library, but I guess iTunes made this simple functionality a whole lot cooler.

Here's my music library in the "Cover Flow" view:

In addition, iTunes updates your songs' album art for you. However, you need to have an account with the iTunes Music Store. Still a good feature nevertheless, since it's free.


Updated Source Panel

Another aspect that I liked about version 7 is the source panel. Previously, everything is simply cluttered under one heading. Now, there are distinct categories – Library, Devices, Store and Playlists. It's a whole lot easier to digest as in one glance, I can figure out how to navigate around the software.

The source panel in version 6. Notice how everything is cluttered together:
And here's the panel in version 7, with the headings:



Download Manager and Gapless Playback

Apple must have somewhat got inspired by Bit Torrent clients by adding the download manager into iTunes. The Download Manager gives a nice summary of the download status of your music, videos and podcasts. As you can see from the screenshot, it tells you how much more is there to download, as well as the approximate time needed to complete the download. It's not the most original feature, but it's a nice and thoughtful one to have, just like the Gapless Playback feature.

Gapless Playback, also available in Creative MediaSource and Windows Media Player

Download Manager, also available in most BT clients

Conclusion

You can read up the rest of iTunes 7's features here. I'd recommend iTunes 7 for its nice visuals, great user experience and overall feel-good factor. Having said that, I still feel that the way podcasts are displayed can be better, as it can be quite messy if you've subscribed to tons of podcast channel. But as a music library and media acquisition software, it's really a class above the rest.

Download it for free here.

CE

Creative and its ZEN patent

I've been asked quite a number of times about Creative's ZEN patent, and its US$100,000,000 windfall courtesy of Apple Computer. Well, I personally think that it's a win-win situation for all that are involved.

Even though Apple paid a large amount of money, they should be happy. Now, they can avoid all the legal hassles and concentrate on their development and marketing efforts. They can release another awesomely cool and iconic iPod without the fear of “willfully infringing the ZEN patent”, potentially paying more money in the process.

Sim Wong Hoo and his management team should be happy, as this little episode gives him the ammunition to sue other companies such as Samsung, iRiver, Sandisk and even Microsoft. If Mr Steve Jobs drops all his counter suits, acknowledges the ZEN patent and pays US$100,000,000, I cannot fathom how the other “smaller” companies can fight against Creative if they get sued.

The employees in Creative should be happy, as this resolution will definitely give their flagging morale a boost. Apart from this piece of good news, it had always been “Creative's share prices are tumbling down”, “Creative still stays in the red”, “Creative losses big this quarter”, and so on. With the extra US$100,000,000 and the “Made for iPod” license, I guess it can roughly translate to more business opportunities for Creative, and better job security for the employees.

Creative shareholders should be happy. Once the settlement is announced, Creative's share prices soared. Well, it has kind of stabilized now, but I'm sure that investors are more optimistic, and will hopefully put in more money to ensure the continued growth of the company. Growth = profits = more dividends for shareholders.

See, everybody's happy!

CE

Asics Gel-Kayano XII

Warning: Frivolous post ahead.

I've just got myself a brand new pair of the highly acclaimed, Asics Gel-Kayano XII. There's nothing miserly about this as this running shoe cost me quite a bomb.

It has all the high-tech cushioning features - Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.®), DuoMax® Support System, Space Trusstic System™, GEL® Cushioning Systems, Biomorphic Fit Upper, Solyte™ Midsole Material.

So much technology in a single shoe! How do they actually work? I've got NO idea. I just know that the shoes are really comfortable.

Anyway, the coolest part about my shoes is the Optimus Prime color scheme.

Asics Gel-Kayano XII

Optimus Prime

A shoe that looks like Optimus Prime! Now, how cool is that?!

CE

Google's Personalized Home Page

A couple of weeks ago, I gave my 2 cents on Window's personalized homepage service – www.live.com. This time round, I'd like to review a similar service, done by another tech giant, Google.

Well, the proverbial picture paints a thousand words. Here's a screenshot:


As you can see, the content is visually rich and inviting to use, which typical of Google's products and services. I can picture myself using this as my personal organizer. I can plan my schedules here via Google Calendar, add stuff to my To-do list, check out how my stocks are faring, be informed of any incoming mails and kept abreast of the latest news around the world (via RSS feeds), all from one page.

In addition, the controls and customization options are really easy to access. The visuals and layout made it fun to explore the various content that I can add to my home page. Google seldom disappoints with regards to user experience and rich visuals.



Inevitably, I would compare this to Live.com. In my opinion, Live.com appeals more to the techie. The look and view is rather “Microsoft”. It's laden with features, but compared to Google, it's presented in a rather uninspiring way. Having said that, I love the “tabs” feature in live.com, something that is not found in Google home page. Tabs allow me to categorize my RSS feeds, so that everything won't be cluttered up in one page. If I export all my live.com RSS feeds to the “tab-less” Google home page, it'll just mess up everything and spoil the overall experience.

For me, I use both services concurrently. I visit Live.com for my daily dosage of news updates and new blog entries, and I use Google for the strong suite of “personal” services – gmail, calendar, To-Do list, etc.

Try both and see what suits you best. I'd say, use both. They're great.

By the way, here's how you can get a personalized Google home page.

1. Go to www.google.com
2. Click “Personalized Home” found in the top right hand corner. I've highlighted the link in red.


3. Have fun.

Can't get any easier, right?

CE