Copyright 2006, 2008 Claire J Rottenberg

iTunes 7 is in some ways a major upgrade to iTunes rather than just an update since it adds several new features and it sports a new, redesigned interface. To be honest, I didn't like the new look when I first started using iTunes 7, but now, after using some of the enhancements, I don't mind the few aesthetic changes.

The new interface gives you three ways to view your iTunes collections - the old familiar column view, album art view and a coverflow view that lets you flip through your album art as you would through a set of record albums.

Although the choice of new views is a significant change, it's the more functional new features that have impressed me. I'll describe just a few but take a look at Apple's iTunes page for more of the new special features.

If you own an iPod, you know that managing your iTunes playlists on your iPod was far from perfect with iTunes 6. Not so with iTunes 7 - the latest version lets you manage your iPod directly in iTunes and you no longer have to click little buttons or access the iTunes preferences. When you connect your iPod, it immediately shows up in your iTunes library list and you can select its icon and see exactly which lists have been loaded onto your iPod, how much space your music and videos use and how much space remains on the iPod. The iPod information window is divided into sections reflecting the types of files you've stored on it, including music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, photos, contacts, and games. You can easily manage your playlists by checking the ones you want on the iPod and deselecting the ones you don't want on it.

Another new enhancement to iTunes 7 is the reorganization of your iTunes library. You now have three separate sections. The top section contains separate lists for your music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, radio stations, audiobooks, and games. The second or middle section is reserved for the iTunes Store. If you don't want any of the items in the first two sections displayed (except for your music collection), just deselect them in the iTunes preferences pane. The final section is for all the playlists you create, including folders and Smart playlists.

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