History of iTunes

iTunes enables users to manage media content, create playlists, synchronize media content with handheld devices including the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, re-image and update handheld devices, stream Internet radio and purchase music, films, television shows, and audiobooks via the iTunes Store.

[citation needed] The pricing structure of iTunes encouraged the sale of single songs, allowing users to abandon the purchase of more expensive albums.

In 2000, Apple purchased the MP3 player software SoundJam MP, a program developed by Bill Kincaid and released by Casady & Greene in 1999.

[1] At the time of the purchase, Kincaid, Jeff Robbin and Dave Heller left Casady & Greene to continue development of the program as Apple employees.

At Apple, the developers simplified SoundJam's user interface, added the ability to burn CDs, and removed the program's recording feature and skin support.

Genius Mixes were added, as well as improved App synchronization abilities, extending the iPod Shuffle 128 kbit/s down-convert feature to all of Apple's AAC-capable devices.

Apple added iTunes Extras as well to the store, which adds content usually reserved for films on DVD and Blu-ray discs.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs also announced a new logo, one without a CD in the background because of the increasing popularity of iTunes digital downloads.

In October 2012, Apple announced the launch of the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini, the refresh of the iPod and Mac lines, and the upcoming release of iTunes 11.

Media files stored in the cloud don't need to be downloaded before playing, allowing a larger collection to be accessible without increased disk usage.

The new user interface includes a refreshed grid view, which replaces Cover Flow as the default layout method.

Other minor changes included disabling the sidebar by default, and slightly altering the icon to match that of the Mac App Store better.