iTunes

While there are a number of music download services on the Internet, iTunes is, by far, among the most popular. After downloading iTunes for free, users can browse, buy and share music, movie and other files. Read on to learn more about the unique features and benefits of iTunes.

iTunes Defined

Briefly put, iTunes is a digital media player application launched by Apple in 2001. Praised for its capacity to play and organize both digital music and video files, iTunes was originally designed to complement Apple''s iconic iPod digital media player. Users could use iTunes to manage and organize the digital songs, music videos, movies and other digital content on their iPods. Apple''s iTunes also provides a connection to the popular iTunes store, where you can purchase a variety of popular media.

Although iTunes comes bundled with all Macintosh computers, you can also download it for free using a variety of programs, including Mac OS X, Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows 2000. Download iTunes from the Apple Web site.

iTunes and Playlists

The playlist feature on iTunes not only lets you create and store playlists (lists of songs) but also allows you to set parameters for a Smart playlist, which is essentially a playlist that automatically updates its content according to criteria you pre-select.

While you can play the songs on your playlist in the order they appear in your iTunes library, you can also set a random sequence for some surprises. You can even tweak this feature to have a bias for or against certain songs, artists or albums, depending on your preference.

The Pros of iTunes

In general, iTunes is a sleek and elegant system that is user-friendly. Some of the advantages of iTunes include its:

• Ability to Convert Between File Types:This system can read, write and convert between MP3, AIFF, WAV, MPEG-4, AAC and Apple Lossless file formats. Apple''s iTunes can also play any audio file that QuickTime can play.
• Ability to Process Sound: Apple''s iTunes has great sound processing features, including equalization, sound enhancement for less-than-perfect recordings and a sound check feature that automatically adjusts track volumes to the same level.
• Access to New Music:Exposing yourself to new music is a breeze with automatic updates of new songs and top 10 and top 100 lists for different genres.
• Affordable Downloads: Songs cost 99 cents each, which generally works out to between $8 and $15 per album. In general, buying music from iTunes is cheaper than buying an album from a traditional music retailer.
• Community Interaction:Although Napster has a far more extensive forum for community interaction, iTunes also offers the opportunity to interact with a community. For example, iTunes library songs can be shared over local networks. Similarly, shared lists of songs can be detected and streamed, although never copied to the hard drive. Apple is notoriously vigilant in the fight against unauthorized copying.
• Downloadable Album Covers:Apple''s iTunes offers a custom-made jewel case insert that you can use to create an album cover. After burning a CD, you can choose an album cover or create one of your own.
• Movie Zone:It''s relatively easy to drag and drop movie clips from your computer to the iTunes library for enjoyment. Once there, you can view the clips in full-screen format or in a small window in the iTunes library.
• Podcasts:One of the most distinctive community features of iTunes is its podcasts. Once you subscribe to a podcast, you''ll receive automatic updates. It''s also pretty easy to search and explore podcasts.
• Publication of Playlists:Be the D.J. and create your own playlist to be published in the iTunes store. You can make your own iMix for free and include up to 100 songs in it. Your mix then becomes public, and other users can search for it, enjoy it and rate it.
• Radio Access:Access 300 to 400 popular online radio streams with eclectic programming ranging from talk radio to music.
• Wide Variety:Unlimited music downloads are a huge attraction for any music store. The easy-to-search music store includes 24 genres of music.

The Cons of iTunes

While iTunes is a popular and reliable music downloading resource, it does have some drawbacks, including:

• A lack of music player versatility means that iTunes works only with an iPod or iTunes Digital Jukebox.
• Apple''s MP3 encoder quality has come in last in some quality control tests comparing the various music download sites. Keep in mind that the validity of these tests has been questioned.
• Although Windows can convert unprotected WMA files into audio formats, it doesn''t support direct playback. Neither does it support encoding of WMA format.

Free Music Downloads from iTunes

When you first purchase an iPod, you''ll be directed to a one-time page at the iTunes Store Web site. From there, you can access an album sampler or some individual tracks of free music.

Apple''s iTunes also offers daily free music from new bands. Sampling these free music downloads is a great way to expand your musical horizons while sampling some free music. Free iTunes music downloads are a definite plus.