iTunes
I have been using iTunes (for Windows) since Laura bought my iPod Shuffle, some time ago. Every aspect of it is so straightforward and simple that I can’t image using anything else to buy or play music. In the past, I had briefly used both the MusicMatch online music store and the Real Rhapsody service. I don’t know if either are still going, nor do I care.
I don’t have to tell you that iTunes is far and away the best online music store. Buying tracks and burning CDs could not be any easier. The selection is huge. Nearly everything I have searched for has turned up on iTunes. I have never used the podcast or video offerings, but I am extremely satisfied with their music selection. The Barenaked Ladies, one of my favorite bands, have dozens of full length live concerts available through iTunes. I was stunned to find the endless songs available. Most important, all music files are high quality and produce very crisp sound. Files are in an encrypted AAC format, and all have a .m4p file extension.
iTunes even got me to organize my music using the library. I keep organized file folders of all my music files, but I never before played songs using a library. I always shied away from using the library in the Windows Media Player. Using iTunes as a library and music player is easy and fun to use. Making playlists and searching for tracks are so simple and intuitive that a caveman could do it.
Granted, if you have an iPod, you’ll get a lot more out of iTunes. The way it syncs with my iPod is literally plug it in and go. The software even automatically updated the firmware of my iPod hardware all on its own. I can’t imagine other services having anything that matches the close knit functionality of the iPod+iTunes combo. But even without an iPod, you can still make great sounding CDs. Most albums are $9.95 as a whole, much cheaper than buying the physical CD. All songs are 99 cents, otherwise. you save a little if you buy the whole album.
The bottom line: If you regularly shop at a different music store, then I pity you.
