PC Magazine - 2009 11.pdf - Libertad Zero

FIRst looks SOFTWAREApple iTunes 9FreeL l l l mPros Improved iTunes Store.Sync across multiple PCs. IntelligentGenius mixes. Easierapp management for iPhoneand iPod touch. Growingmovie and TV show catalog.Cons Still no unlimitedmusic subscription option.No way to rip or transcodevideo content. Not enough HDmovies or rentals in the iTunesStore.Apple iTunes 9Apple Remixes iTunesiTunes is the default music softwarechoice for just about anyonewith an iPod or iPhone. This alsogoes for buying music. iTunes 9 isa significant update that includesa revamped iTunes Store, proper librarysynchronization across multiple computers(finally), more sophisticated Genius recommendations,and more flexible app managementfor iPhone and iPod touch users. It’s asolid update that cements its status as ourEditors’ Choice for music software.Compared with its predecessor, iTunes 9doesn’t look all that different on first bootup.The one obvious new feature is a popupwelcome screen that offers a selection ofvideos explaining how the app works. Butmost of the big improvements in iTunes 9are under the hood. One of the best is HomeSharing, which finally fixes the media synchronizationprocess across several computers—lettingyou sync all music, movies,TV shows, audiobooks, and apps. The onedownside is that setting and forgetting multiplesystems to sync everything automaticallyworks only for new iTunes purchases.Another welcome new feature is GeniusMixes, which creates miniature radio stationsusing tracks from your library. But perhapsthe most visible improvement appearswhen you fire up the iTunes Store, which hasa completely revamped main view and simplifiedprocess to preview and buy tracks.But there is still no subscription option forunlimited listening or an easy way to managerecorded video. Nonetheless, Apple’siTunes ecosystem remains the most sophisticatedand well integrated for organizingand managing your media.—Jamie Lendino>>CLICK HERE FOR MORENOVEMBER 2009 PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION 19