iTunes has many often-forgotten features. Among them are the web radio, visualizer, and (what I think is the coolest) shared music libraries. iTunes users on the same wireless network can share their entire music libraries (or only specific playlists) with each other by turning on “Sharing” in iTunes’ preferences (in either the Mac or PC version of iTunes). Once both computers are setup to share libraries, users at both ends can browse each other’s libraries and stream each other’s music. However, there is no way to download the music; users can only listen.
If your iTunes library is spread out over numerous computers in your house and all on one wireless network, then this is incredibly useful, but that’s as far as the fun goes. Outside of a wireless network, no sharing is allowed. That’s where SimplifyMedia comes in. SimplifyMedia works exactly like the sharing feature in iTunes, but with one difference: You don’t have to be on the same wireless network to share your music.
Downloading SimplifyMedia is easy, and it’s even available for PCs, too. Once you’re all signed up and installed, opening up the application presents you with a window that allows you to invite up to 30 friends with whom you can share your music library (you can invite someone simply by entering their username or email address). Once they accept your invitation, all you have to do is be online at the same time as them and you’ll be able to stream each other’s music libraries. Granted, your computer has to be on and both SimplifyMedia and iTunes have to be open, so this isn’t free music 24/7.
Besides sharing with friends, one of the ways SimplifyMedia can be used is to bring together music libraries spread out over various computers that aren’t necessarily in the same WiFi network. Or, it could be used to listen to music in someone’s home music library while at work. The possibilities are endless. As long as you have a capable computer connected to the internet, you could bring your music library with you anywhere, regardless of hard drive space.
One of the main problems with SimplifyMedia, though, is that you many not have any friends to share your music with. I’ll get you started, you can add me: swruler9284. There are also some music-hungry users on iusethis who have shared their usernames.
SimplifyMedia is available for free on Macs and PCs (also with Winamp support) and there is experimental support for Linux and even the iPhone — probably the coolest use of SimplifyMedia I can think of!
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December 28th, 2010 at 8:10 am
Try Mojo: http://www.deusty.com/software/mac.php
Allows you to download files locally…
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
My friends and I have tried Mojo a couple times, and it never works. I really wanted Mojo to work, but it never did.
Simplify Media is a nice app, but at times, the connection sucks, but its still worth using. They’re working on some nice features and to their credit, they’ve improved its connection issues.
Here’s my s/n “agua”
I have 28 gigs plus of music, that ranges from indie rock, electronica, “real” hip hop, classical, soul, classic rock, even some Mexican music.
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
If the developers happen to read this…. messaging would be very very useful, thanks.
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
austen, thanks for the detailed review!
agua, messaging is coming very soon.
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
If anyone wants to add me, I’m similar to Agua; 32 gigs of music, ranging from rock to trance/electronica to hip-hop to world to classical to metal to jazz to dance to tango… and much more. I listen to everything; it just has to have the qualities I love.
my add is daftmonk.
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
You can add me also, got some nice electronic music.
add: tombartels
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
I have 3000+ songs consisting of rock,classical,r&b,hiphop,jazz,and soul music.
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
oh and my account name is “godfather2147″ if interested
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
wow…….”godfather2187″…correction
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
if anyone wants you can add me also, i’ve got 93gb (21.000 tracks) of music. From Punk, emo, alternative, hardcore, Rock to Jazz, Latin, Deephouse, Lounge and Chill out. Aaah name it, i probably got it
.
My account name is: boonacker
latrrr,
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Thanks for the news. If you like jazz and progressive rap, my account name is: bakari
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
How are they going to make money with this?
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
hi all i have tons of oldies and new stuff if you want to add me cool… my screen name is karlzips
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
ADD me if you want I have ALOT of rap and hiphop including some underground artist. I also have some rock. NEW AND OLD MUSIC screen name is “quinnphill8″
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
add me to for a wide range of everything 98GB. 17000 songs. screen name is antr
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Zvuk je z?ejm? z kina, perfekt (viz screen). Vy??lo toho v?-ce, tak mo??n?? o?ek??vejte upgrade fiberglass mesh Vy??lo toho v?-ce kt (viz screen). tak mo??n?? o?ek??vejtertty
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
hi all i have tons of oldies and new stuff if you want to add me cool| my screen name is melobf
December 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
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