Hey guys,
Loading up iTunes 8 and started up Genius for the first time. Some thoughts:
- Wow, the Grid view looks like a fairly dramatic departure from the iTunes GUI canon. Not only that, but as I suspected it's actually *ahem* copies a similar view mode pioneered first in Windows Media Player.
- Huh. Genius bar takes kindof a while to start up since it has to "sniff" your library's meta data 'n such and then send that info to Apple. (I have a feeling Record labels are going to pay top-dollar for THAT info) FYI I have about 1800 songs, and it took 5 - 10 minutes.
- Alright, it's done. I want to see what new songs it suggests and I want to listen to them. WHAT?! I only get the friggin' 30 second preview from the iTunes store? What a piece of... letdown! Epic letdown!
- Oh... hm, when you push the Genius button and you're in List view with a Song selected (yes, only in that mode) you sometimes get a list 25 songs strong and generally the same "feel." Er, sortof. People with smaller libraries (I would consider mine smaller than most) will have a problem of a lack of options for Genius to choose from. People with obscure libraries ( like myself, in places) will also be flat-out told by Genius "I can't find a playlist appropriate for this song." So it's hit-and-miss.
In short? If you were a fan of Pandora or are a current user of Last.fm's "recommended" playlist... iTunes8 Genius won't substitute that. Last.fm and Pandora both let you listen to the song IN IT'S ENTIRETY, which is something apparently Apple still isn't willing to do. Yes, the suggestions are good and relevent, but listening to a super-protected measly 30-second clip just makes me angry, not happy. It certainly a poor way to make a sale.