Filed under: Software, Freeware, iTunes
iTunesVolume
There are a ton of Mac volume controllers out there. CoverSutra is one of the best that we have seen, however, if simplistic and free is what you like, then why not try iTunesVolume. Just as the name implies, you are able to control the volume of the iTunes application with this small app.iTunesVolume definitely takes the Steve Jobs "one button is good enough for everything" approach. The slider controls everything -- you can move it to control volume in iTunes or hold the button down to get a pop-up menu with extra options.
iTunesVolume is a free 2 MB download from the developer's website.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JRob said 10:16AM on 5-12-2008
Why would I want to run a separate application to do something that I can already do in iTunes? I must be missing something here...can anyone help me out here?
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Blaktornado said 1:03PM on 5-12-2008
For the ease of use? I dunno.
Some people also like saving screen room by closing iTunes and accessing it with external apps.
pureadrenalin2005 said 10:34AM on 5-12-2008
Ya, it makes no sense to me either.
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Think Adrian said 10:37AM on 5-12-2008
Or use the volume controller on the keyboard..............
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Think Adrian said 10:37AM on 5-12-2008
... or..... the remote....
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mrchin said 10:57AM on 5-12-2008
I like Hear from Joe Soft. It's new I think. Just got it, but it controls all apps volume. I can have my EyeTV volume louder since it's usually too low. And keep my iTunes at a good volume and not worry about new mail dings blowing out my ears.
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Thirsty13.com said 11:39AM on 5-12-2008
That makes zero sense. if you can't take two seconds to open iTunes running in the background to adjust the volume, you are really, really lazy. I don't get it.
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DistortedLoop said 12:45PM on 5-12-2008
Hmmm...since it's free, I thought I'd give it a try to see if there was any usefulness to this, though my initial reactiion was the same as all the previous comments here - what do you need this for.
I thought of one thing that might be nice...an iTunes volume slider up in the menu bar along with the system volume slider. That might have some usefulness if you have the menu bar real estate to spare.
So, I downloaded it and ran it. BAD BAD BAD. The application won't let me move the slider from out of the middle of my screen, and every time the mouse moves over it, a big white box telling you how to get extra options appears behind the slider.
I tried playing around with the preferences, and nothing got the slider to move from center screen, despite an option to be below the menu bar. Then I click another check box and now the stupid big white box covers up the slider, and there's no way to reopen the preferences to change it back! The application does not appear in the dock or the command-tab list of programs.
I finally ended up just killing the thing with terminal and deleting the download. Waste of time.
Nice that someone does any application for free, but did TUAW check this thing out before posting about it?
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d said 3:07PM on 5-12-2008
my initial reaction was exactly the same. I use a macbook, and while the widescreen is a nice change from my dead iBook 12", it does not help with up and down. Because the iTunes mini player is horizontal, it often squishes my Safari and Pages windows smaller than I would prefer. I enjoy iTunesVolume because, with a small screen, it doesn't take up much real estate. I just needed to work with it a bit to get it to work the way I want, but I am enjoying it now, especially with the price. I mainly use this for the (cheaper than Awaken) sleep timer and pop out info window with Sizzlin' Keys. At $0 and 2 mb, I think it's worth a try. You'll need to work with it a bit, but with small screens and small budgets it's worth it.
Andy said 2:16PM on 5-12-2008
"Simplistic" is a negative term. It means "too simple". Is that what you really meant?
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Infoclipper said 2:04PM on 5-12-2008
simplistic
Pronunciation: \sim-ˈplis-tik\
Function: adjective
Date: circa 1881
1 : simple
2 : of, relating to, or characterized by simplism : oversimple
simplistic. (2008).
In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
Retrieved May 12, 2008, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simplistic
Milford said 3:51PM on 5-12-2008
The dictionary, then, is incorrect. The current correct usage is to suggest that something has been mistakenly oversimplified. This is how you will see the word used in almost every book and article written in the 20th century. The only people who currently use the word to mean "simple" are those who are unfamiliar with the correct usage.
Why do we care? Because eventually, when enough people spread the incorrect usage, it becomes defacto correct, and then all of us who use the word correctly lose the use of this very nice meaning.
Andy said 4:17PM on 5-12-2008
Well said, Milford.
Andy said 2:18PM on 5-12-2008
It's still most correctly used when you're trying to say that the simplicity is a negative thing.
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Bonobo said 2:34PM on 5-12-2008
While iTunes Volume is simple, it also is very practical for me:
- It can play several songs from the iTunes Store in a row
- When I move the mouse over it, it shows me the CD cover and information about the song
- It has a "sleep" function
- etc. etc.
And, although it is free, I recommend sending the author an iTunes coupon if you like and use the software. I for one did so.
Just test it a while longer if you think it is "too simple", you might find that you like it.
And no, I'm not affiliated etc. etc., I'm just a happy user.
Cheers, Tom
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ZeroCorpse said 3:01PM on 5-12-2008
Gimme Some Tune is far better for artist/album info (it also automatically download lyrics and applies them to your music files).
As for volume, I'm perfectly happy just using the volume controls on my keyboard, remote, and on iTunes itself. This seems like extra software to do something that is already available in the OS itself.
I'll pass. You go ahead and have fun with it, though.
Kstatic said 5:08PM on 5-12-2008
I use QuickSilver.
I have my shortcuts set so when I press the command key and arrow up, iTunes volume increases. Command key and arrow down, iTunes volume decreases.
Next Track is command and arrow right and previous track is the opposite.
Very Useful, and no need to run yet another program in the background taking away my precious RAM.
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