Comments on: First Look: Songbird Finally Gives iTunes Some Competition http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/ TheAppleBlog, published by and for the day-to-day Apple user, is a prominent source for news, reviews, walkthroughs, and real life application of all Apple products. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:41:51 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Mike http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-33048 Mike Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:34:24 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-33048 I tried Songbird long ago when it was around 0.4. At this time it was pretty much an exact itunes copy (but black not grey). I thought it was interesting but didn't see much point in switching as it was just a buggier version of itunes with less features. This 1.0 release has impressed me tho, it's layout looks more like amarok 1 (which is good, I dunno if I like amarok 2 yet), but what I really like is the customization. I always hated having the one mac OS themed program on my windows xp desktop, now I can make songbird match one of the many themes I have for my desktop. The plugins show album artwork, artist info lyrics and more, all stuff I would have to google before. It hasn't crashed on me once or had any noticable bugs. This is impressive since itunes has had 8 versions to get it right, (and I only found it got stable on windows after the 7.0 release) The only thing I want in this program is an EQ, which i'm sure will come in the next few updates. As with a lot of opensource projects the 1.0 release is about getting more people interested and working on the project to really fill out all the features they want. As the community grows around this great program it will jump leaps and bounds over itunes. I tried Songbird long ago when it was around 0.4. At this time it was pretty much an exact itunes copy (but black not grey). I thought it was interesting but didn’t see much point in switching as it was just a buggier version of itunes with less features. This 1.0 release has impressed me tho, it’s layout looks more like amarok 1 (which is good, I dunno if I like amarok 2 yet), but what I really like is the customization. I always hated having the one mac OS themed program on my windows xp desktop, now I can make songbird match one of the many themes I have for my desktop. The plugins show album artwork, artist info lyrics and more, all stuff I would have to google before. It hasn’t crashed on me once or had any noticable bugs. This is impressive since itunes has had 8 versions to get it right, (and I only found it got stable on windows after the 7.0 release) The only thing I want in this program is an EQ, which i’m sure will come in the next few updates. As with a lot of opensource projects the 1.0 release is about getting more people interested and working on the project to really fill out all the features they want. As the community grows around this great program it will jump leaps and bounds over itunes.

]]> By: Real Rhapsody Supported Mp3 Players http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-30741 Real Rhapsody Supported Mp3 Players Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:45:22 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-30741 Howdy Guru, I fell blessed that I found your post while searching for real rhapsody supported mp3 players. I agree with you on the subject Look: Songbird Finally Gives iTunes Some Competition - TheAppleBlog. I was just thinking about this matter last Friday. Howdy Guru, I fell blessed that I found your post while searching for real rhapsody supported mp3 players. I agree with you on the subject Look: Songbird Finally Gives iTunes Some Competition – TheAppleBlog. I was just thinking about this matter last Friday.

]]> By: Songbird 1.0 a review « Whitenoise http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26231 Songbird 1.0 a review « Whitenoise Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:51:59 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26231 [...] Mozilla stable. Songbird1.0 was released recently and  there was lot of news that finally there is some competition to the much popular iTunes Media player. This is a brief on my  experience with this player both [...] [...] Mozilla stable. Songbird1.0 was released recently and  there was lot of news that finally there is some competition to the much popular iTunes Media player. This is a brief on my  experience with this player both [...]

]]> By: Weekly App Store Roundup: Dec. 13th, 2008 | TheAppleBlog http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26233 Weekly App Store Roundup: Dec. 13th, 2008 | TheAppleBlog Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:54:26 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26233 [...] Remote, Slydial, TED and DTESS Aphid Attack. Songbird Remote (free) TAB’s Bob Rudis gave the most recent release of Songbird a thumbs-up not so long ago. The desktop app is an alternative to iTunes, managing your music, [...] [...] Remote, Slydial, TED and DTESS Aphid Attack. Songbird Remote (free) TAB’s Bob Rudis gave the most recent release of Songbird a thumbs-up not so long ago. The desktop app is an alternative to iTunes, managing your music, [...]

]]> By: M. http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26232 M. Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:20:07 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26232 What is it with people who can't handle the mere thought that maybe someone can do something better than Apple? "It crashes." "It doesn't do this or that." "It won't change my nappy when mommy isn't at home". Not once has this app crashed on me. The thing "just works" as simpletons are prone to say about every Apple product regardless of its shortcomings. Maybe your Mac can't handle the thing...I mean...some Apple products do lack basic functions. The iPhone doesn't even support a rather simple feature I like to call A-Capacity-to-Choose-a-Product-that-isn't-Driven-by-Lies-Out-of-the-Mouths-of-Charlatans-like-Steve-Jobs-and-a-Frankly-Embarrassing-Tendency-Toward-Homogenous-Living. My girlfriend has a Mac and the f------g thing crashes at every given opportunity so the "just works" mantra is as dishonest as it is immature. Software crashes regardless of the platform and that's a fact. Apple zealots, however, are insecure dimwits. Their Macs must be flawless at least within their imaginations or alas they'll cry. Nobody's forcing you to replace iTunes. When you come here and defend it so unconditionally you sound as hysterical as a whackjob evangelist. You may struggle with this morsel of cold harsh truth but some things exist outside your bedrooms such as other people whose experience with Songbird has been anything but as dire as you make it out to be. Grow up. What is it with people who can’t handle the mere thought that maybe someone can do something better than Apple? “It crashes.” “It doesn’t do this or that.” “It won’t change my nappy when mommy isn’t at home”. Not once has this app crashed on me. The thing “just works” as simpletons are prone to say about every Apple product regardless of its shortcomings. Maybe your Mac can’t handle the thing…I mean…some Apple products do lack basic functions. The iPhone doesn’t even support a rather simple feature I like to call A-Capacity-to-Choose-a-Product-that-isn’t-Driven-by-Lies-Out-of-the-Mouths-of-Charlatans-like-Steve-Jobs-and-a-Frankly-Embarrassing-Tendency-Toward-Homogenous-Living. My girlfriend has a Mac and the f——g thing crashes at every given opportunity so the “just works” mantra is as dishonest as it is immature. Software crashes regardless of the platform and that’s a fact. Apple zealots, however, are insecure dimwits. Their Macs must be flawless at least within their imaginations or alas they’ll cry. Nobody’s forcing you to replace iTunes. When you come here and defend it so unconditionally you sound as hysterical as a whackjob evangelist. You may struggle with this morsel of cold harsh truth but some things exist outside your bedrooms such as other people whose experience with Songbird has been anything but as dire as you make it out to be. Grow up.

]]> By: Paul Stejskal http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26214 Paul Stejskal Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:26:36 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26214 You guys must not know how to implement podcasts well. It takes a bit of work which is a disappointment but here is the basics: 1) Go File->New Subscription and take the URL of the podcast and put it in there. For example if you do Security Now, it is http://leoville.tv/podcasts/sn.xml and that can be obtained by right clicking the link and copying the address. It will subscribe then. 2) Create a seperate playlist for music. You will have to make sure it's a Smart Playlist and does not include the Album name Security Now. Make sure you match all conditions if you have several podcasts and do the same for each one. 3) Don't go to your library, but your Music playlist. You guys must not know how to implement podcasts well. It takes a bit of work which is a disappointment but here is the basics:

1) Go File->New Subscription and take the URL of the podcast and put it in there. For example if you do Security Now, it is http://leoville.tv/podcasts/sn.xml and that can be obtained by right clicking the link and copying the address. It will subscribe then.
2) Create a seperate playlist for music. You will have to make sure it’s a Smart Playlist and does not include the Album name Security Now. Make sure you match all conditions if you have several podcasts and do the same for each one.
3) Don’t go to your library, but your Music playlist.

]]> By: Songbird Finally Gives iTunes Some Competition at Fix Your Desktop http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26230 Songbird Finally Gives iTunes Some Competition at Fix Your Desktop Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:59:26 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26230 [...] First Look: Songbird Finally Gives iTunes Some Competition | TheAppleBlog Please Share: [...] [...] First Look: Songbird Finally Gives iTunes Some Competition | TheAppleBlog Please Share: [...]

]]> By: dennis parrott http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26229 dennis parrott Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:35:51 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26229 the thing we're missing here is what made Songbird interesting in the first place: its built-in ability to find music downloads embedded on a web page, make them playable as if they were in your local library and download those that you find interesting into your local library without the tedium associated with right-clicking yourself to death in a browser window! Songbird is more about the ability to discover music on the web and play it than it is about organizing a music library! player/organizer capability was added so that it could be an all-in-one solution. bear in mind that iTunes has a several year head start... there are plenty of player/organizer solutions but not one of them has the ability to surf the web, find music and play it for you like Songbird does. the thing we’re missing here is what made Songbird interesting in the first place: its built-in ability to find music downloads embedded on a web page, make them playable as if they were in your local library and download those that you find interesting into your local library without the tedium associated with right-clicking yourself to death in a browser window!

Songbird is more about the ability to discover music on the web and play it than it is about organizing a music library!

player/organizer capability was added so that it could be an all-in-one solution. bear in mind that iTunes has a several year head start… there are plenty of player/organizer solutions but not one of them has the ability to surf the web, find music and play it for you like Songbird does.

]]> By: TV Guide http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26228 TV Guide Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:13:10 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26228 Oh how sweet it would be to not have the itunes virus installed. Oh how sweet it would be to not have the itunes virus installed.

]]> By: Thomas Legg's Geek Blog http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26206 Thomas Legg's Geek Blog Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:48:54 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26206 <strong>PPC Songbird 1.0pre for MacOS X 10.5...</strong> So The Apple Blog takes a first look at Songbird 1.0RC1 for MacOS X on Intel. In the write-up, it is mentioned that there is no PPC version available. Haven't talked here about much else lately, so regular readers will know the Songbird project dropp... PPC Songbird 1.0pre for MacOS X 10.5…

So The Apple Blog takes a first look at Songbird 1.0RC1 for MacOS X on Intel. In the write-up, it is mentioned that there is no PPC version available.
Haven’t talked here about much else lately, so regular readers will know the Songbird project dropp…

]]> By: Thomas Legg's Geek Blog http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-27339 Thomas Legg's Geek Blog Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:48:54 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-27339 <strong>PPC Songbird 1.0pre for MacOS X 10.5...</strong> So The Apple Blog takes a first look at Songbird 1.0RC1 for MacOS X on Intel. In the write-up, it is mentioned that there is no PPC version available. Haven't talked here about much else lately, so regular readers will know the Songbird project dropp... PPC Songbird 1.0pre for MacOS X 10.5…

So The Apple Blog takes a first look at Songbird 1.0RC1 for MacOS X on Intel. In the write-up, it is mentioned that there is no PPC version available.
Haven’t talked here about much else lately, so regular readers will know the Songbird project dropp…

]]> By: Thomas Legg's Geek Blog http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-27342 Thomas Legg's Geek Blog Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:48:54 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-27342 <strong>PPC Songbird 1.0pre for MacOS X 10.5...</strong> So The Apple Blog takes a first look at Songbird 1.0RC1 for MacOS X on Intel. In the write-up, it is mentioned that there is no PPC version available. Haven't talked here about much else lately, so regular readers will know the Songbird project dropp... PPC Songbird 1.0pre for MacOS X 10.5…

So The Apple Blog takes a first look at Songbird 1.0RC1 for MacOS X on Intel. In the write-up, it is mentioned that there is no PPC version available.
Haven’t talked here about much else lately, so regular readers will know the Songbird project dropp…

]]> By: Thomas Legg's Geek Blog http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-28178 Thomas Legg's Geek Blog Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:48:54 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-28178 <strong>PPC Songbird 1.0pre for MacOS X 10.5...</strong> So The Apple Blog takes a first look at Songbird 1.0RC1 for MacOS X on Intel. In the write-up, it is mentioned that there is no PPC version available. Haven't talked here about much else lately, so regular readers will know the Songbird project dropp... PPC Songbird 1.0pre for MacOS X 10.5…

So The Apple Blog takes a first look at Songbird 1.0RC1 for MacOS X on Intel. In the write-up, it is mentioned that there is no PPC version available.
Haven’t talked here about much else lately, so regular readers will know the Songbird project dropp…

]]> By: Thomas Legg http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26227 Thomas Legg Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:17:15 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26227 There will be an unofficial contributed build for PPC for the 1.0 release, just as there is an unofficial contributed build for PPC for 0.7. I've been doing nightly builds and am currently rebuilding an optimized xulrunner & mozilla sdk in preparation for posting another build at my site. Due to the switch to gstreamer media support from the VLC plugin, this version will probably be only OS X 10.5 compatible as the 10.4 headers and libraries are old. There will be an unofficial contributed build for PPC for the 1.0 release, just as there is an unofficial contributed build for PPC for 0.7. I’ve been doing nightly builds and am currently rebuilding an optimized xulrunner & mozilla sdk in preparation for posting another build at my site. Due to the switch to gstreamer media support from the VLC plugin, this version will probably be only OS X 10.5 compatible as the 10.4 headers and libraries are old.

]]> By: The Inquirer ES : Songbird 1.0 RC1 liberado http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26226 The Inquirer ES : Songbird 1.0 RC1 liberado Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:01:02 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26226 [...] iTunes, que monopoliza la plataforma Apple y para la cual no existe verdadera competencia, algo que pretende cambiar [...] [...] iTunes, que monopoliza la plataforma Apple y para la cual no existe verdadera competencia, algo que pretende cambiar [...]

]]> By: Joel http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26213 Joel Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:51:31 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26213 Just to clarify a bit, I noticed that a few comments say that this is made by Mozilla. It's not. It's built on Mozilla's technology. Also, the default Feather isn't just an iTunes theme thrown around so it isn't just like itunes, before version .7 the default theme was VERY different. I'm sure they changed it to that because that's what people want. Before version .7 I always downloaded the iTunes feather. Now I leave it on the default because I like it. Actually I like it more than iTunes. I especially love the mini player. iTunes' mini player is poop, songbird's is awesome. I'd rather have shot and wide than tall and fat. That and it has everything you need. You like a song? Just hit the unobtrusive rating buttons right there in front of you. iTunes' mini player, even if it had a rating system on the front of it, is just too bulky. I love songbird, it's so much better than iTunes overall. It is still a bit buggy here and there, but that's to be expected in an RC. Just to clarify a bit, I noticed that a few comments say that this is made by Mozilla. It’s not. It’s built on Mozilla’s technology.

Also, the default Feather isn’t just an iTunes theme thrown around so it isn’t just like itunes, before version .7 the default theme was VERY different. I’m sure they changed it to that because that’s what people want. Before version .7 I always downloaded the iTunes feather. Now I leave it on the default because I like it. Actually I like it more than iTunes. I especially love the mini player. iTunes’ mini player is poop, songbird’s is awesome. I’d rather have shot and wide than tall and fat. That and it has everything you need. You like a song? Just hit the unobtrusive rating buttons right there in front of you. iTunes’ mini player, even if it had a rating system on the front of it, is just too bulky.

I love songbird, it’s so much better than iTunes overall. It is still a bit buggy here and there, but that’s to be expected in an RC.

]]> By: Jason Bogovich http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26225 Jason Bogovich Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:29:50 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26225 IMHO a Sonos system with Rhapsody, a NAS device, Last.FM (Free now), Pandora (Free now), and especially now the new iPhone app iTunes is just useful to download podcasts and podcasts only. For consumption on my sonos system FTW. Sonos recently upped the Streams from Rhapsody so if you don't like downloading a rent-a-library you can now stream 192kbs MP3. I've had my 3 zone setup for about 3 years now and I can say I"ve not had a single problem and I rarely use iTunes anymore except to read reviews and download podcasts. On my Ubuntu boxes I use Amarok which is coming out with a 2.0 soon. Give it a show yourself though. I'm simply blown away. (The Sonos/Rhapsody/iPhone combo) IMHO a Sonos system with Rhapsody, a NAS device, Last.FM (Free now), Pandora (Free now), and especially now the new iPhone app iTunes is just useful to download podcasts and podcasts only. For consumption on my sonos system FTW.

Sonos recently upped the Streams from Rhapsody so if you don’t like downloading a rent-a-library you can now stream 192kbs MP3. I’ve had my 3 zone setup for about 3 years now and I can say I”ve not had a single problem and I rarely use iTunes anymore except to read reviews and download podcasts. On my Ubuntu boxes I use Amarok which is coming out with a 2.0 soon.

Give it a show yourself though. I’m simply blown away. (The Sonos/Rhapsody/iPhone combo)

]]> By: Andrew http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26205 Andrew Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:13:49 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26205 i don't realy understand why its Intel-only now. in the past they've always had PPC releases.. hopefully they will fix this. if there were an iphone solution i'd definitely get this and use it as a replacement but i just don't see that happening. i don’t realy understand why its Intel-only now. in the past they’ve always had PPC releases.. hopefully they will fix this.

if there were an iphone solution i’d definitely get this and use it as a replacement but i just don’t see that happening.

]]> By: GeekShadow http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26212 GeekShadow Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:03:57 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26212 "LiveTweeter to annoy your social networking friends" That's my add-on :D “LiveTweeter to annoy your social networking friends”
That’s my add-on :D

]]> By: zarathustra http://theappleblog.com/2008/11/07/first-look-songbird-finally-gives-itunes-some-competition/#comment-26211 zarathustra Sun, 09 Nov 2008 19:30:39 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=9792#comment-26211 Still no podcast support? Man I have been watching this thing for two or three years, it just never seems to improve. It one step forward on step back the whole time. Still no podcast support? Man I have been watching this thing for two or three years, it just never seems to improve. It one step forward on step back the whole time.

]]>