Apple has released a long-awaited update to iTunes to make it compatible with third-party CD-R burners. iTunes 1.1 is available for download from Apple’s Web site, and like its predecessor, it’s free of charge.
iTunes is Apple’s software for listening to and making MP3 digital audio files. The software enables you to listen to MP3 files you already have, rip audio files off CDs to your hard disk, and listen to Internet radio stations that broadcast in streaming format.
Apple released iTunes initially at Macworld Expo last month in San Francisco, promising third party CD-R support within 60 days. The company made good on its promise, delivering iTunes 1.1 in only 44 days, according to Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who recently delivered the keynote address this week’s Macworld Expo Tokyo.
Apple indicates that the new iTunes update sports fixes for conflicts with some USB peripherals, and improves overall stability. New options and keyboard controls for the built-in visual effects generator are now available, as well.
The biggest change to iTunes is its ability to burn audio CDs with more than thirty third-party CD-RW drives. The initial release only supported the built-in CD-RW drives included on new Power Mac G4 systems. The list of supported drives now includes mechanisms manufactured by LG, Matshita, Mitsumi, Philips, Pioneer, Plextor, Ricoh, Samsung, Sanyo, Sony, Teac, and Yamaha.
Apple indicates that the new CD authoring features in iTunes may not be compatible with third-party CD burning software. Apple encourages users potentially affected by this problem to seek updates from the makers of the CD burning software.
Please visit Apple’s Web site for more info and links to the download.