iTunesTouch
iTunesTouch is free software which allows a user to operate iTunes as a touchscreen jukebox. I wanted to use itunes as a jukebox for a party, but didn’t want to allow users full access to my library / playlists.
With iTunes running in the background, iTunesTouch will grab your album cover art, display each album and allow users to add tracks to your designated playlist.
iTunes DJ Jukebox
By default iTunesTouch will use the iTunes DJ playlist. This is my preference as it works perfectly for a jukebox playlist by automatically removing songs once played and making sure songs are always in the playlist.
This software works perfectly along side the apple “Remote” app for the iPhone / iPod Touch. Imagine you’re having a party. The touchscreen running iTunesTouch in the corner and your mates all using the Remote app on their iPhones. They can request songs along with the users on the touchscreen. It’s all using the same playlist.
Features
Visual / General
- display cover art from your iTunes library
- display a “no cover” image if no cover art found
- scroll through albums
- popup CD case with track listing
- now playing (cover art, time, artist etc)
- Playlist (what’s coming up next)
- Play/Pause
Admin
- PIN protected (default is 0000 which can be changed)
- Change background colour
- Change cover art size
- Change playlist (this means you don’t have to use iTunes DJ – you can select your own playlist, but songs will not be removed once played – which is why I suggest sticking to iTunes DJ)
- Change volume and skip tracks from admin
- hide cursor for touchscreen users
Video
Screenshots
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iTunes Touch loading…
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Track listing (popup when click on album cover)
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PIN entry to get to admin settings
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Admin settings screen
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Download
The software is available as freeware. It’s currently in BETA as I have only tested it on VMWare Win XP and a clean install of Win XP – both using iTunes 9. I’d really appreciate if people do find any bugs for them to get in touch. I have plenty more features I’m wanting to add in.
You will need the .NET Framework (3.5) installed to run this software. It’s free from Microsoft and can be downloaded from here.
iTunesTouch_v1.01 (ZIP file)
Help Development
iTunesTouch is now available on Google Code. More information here.
Project Donations
Like what you see? Consider donating… it will help fund the continuous development.
Support
I’ve started to write an installation / user guide which can be found here: iTunesTouch Installation & User Guide
If you have any issues/feedback, please leave a comment.
Other Plugins
For other great iTunes plugins – check out everything itunes
May 19th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Top plugin mate! Took me a while to get it to work but that was my own fault LOL! I didnt hav the .net thing installed!! *stupid*
can the new version have search plz???
May 19th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Works nicely. I second what Sam has asked for – a search would make this an excellent bit of kit.
June 7th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
AAAGGH.
I guess I’m dreaming that there’ll be a Mac version?
June 7th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Well, for now, yes… sorry! Once I’ve perfected the PC version I’ll have a stab at the mac version. I’ve written a couple of iPhone apps, so hoping the language on the mac is the same!!
July 1st, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Could the net framework be the problem with windows 7 problems? It does not show as compatible with windows 7.
July 10th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
this does not work in windows 7. I went into the control panel and made sure that .net was enabled, but when I launch this program I just get a blank frozen screen.
July 13th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Finally, I have been wanting something like this for 4 years. I will test this out this week. I also would like to see a search button, it would also be nice to have better graphics if that is possible, make it look more like a jukebox. If you need help with graphics let me know, I am pretty good with photoshop.
July 17th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
when might we see an update?
July 20th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
@David & Jeff: I am still trying to find a windows 7 version which works properly. I am using VMWare on my mac to develop, then my jukebox is winXP Pro to test. I need to dual boot it with windows 7 to test… once done, I will update to work.
@Dave: The search button is a must I agree. As for the graphics, I can release them as a ZIP file or something if you want to have a go?! Or just design something and send it me and I’ll make the interface work around it somehow. I have lots of other projects on the go at the moment, but will try to release an update as soon as possible.
July 20th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
just sent you an email about the graphics, just zip them and email them to me.
July 25th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
I never received an email
August 16th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I’m really digging this man. There are just a few things that bug me though. I do wish it was a bit nicer looking. Maybe some nicer buttons, because it feels very Windows 98 in a way. Also, I don’t want someone seeing the admin button at a party or something and entering numbers and screwing with stuff, so if that could be a hidden button or something it’d be great. The last thing that I wasn’t a really big fan of is that cd popup thing. Can that be made into just one box without the cd on the side? OR make the cd side just show the album art again? Great work though! I’ll most likely be using this in my jukebox setup. Cheers.
August 17th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
@Robert – I agree!! It’s the first windows app I’ve done – so a lot of it was “out of the box” UI. I tried to make it look prettier, but obviously failed!! I could probably add an option to show the CD case or a standard popup box type thing… leave it with me
Also – the admin button – I will think of a way to hide that. I’d need to somehow get it back on the screen though… maybe using a keyboard…. any thoughts?
August 17th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Hi Dave – did you manage to do anything with the graphics?
August 17th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Going to try and look at them this week, I will see what I can come up with.
August 17th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
@Dave-Awesome. I’m very eager to see the next release of this. For the song listing/CD case graphics part, could you make album art show on the left side, then the song listings on the right? I’m sure you could do it, but would it be difficult to find album art in that size?
Also, I’m not sure if this is possible but you could make it so that if I were to tap the four corners of the screen counterclockwise or something it’d bring up the admin pin input box. Then you’d be able to hide the button. Like I said though, don’t know if it’s possible.
August 17th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
oops…that was directed towards Matt.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Hmm… tapping the corners might be quite cool. I wonder if I should set that in the admin panel. So – 1) show the admin button OR 2) use hidden buttons in the corners. Leave it with me…..!
In other news, I’ve just released a new version but it’s only got some minor bug fixes and sets the mouse to show on default.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Hallo, It doesn’t seems to work on Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit.
It can’t see any music, I waited for about half an hour. But there still stands loading.
August 18th, 2010 at 6:09 am
@Matt – Sounds good man. Now all you need is the control buttons i.e pause, skip, random. Haha, sorry if I’m requesting too many features or anything.
August 22nd, 2010 at 7:17 pm
You should have the new graphics later today and I will work on a new layout if you can add my requests. You could have a winner on your hands here.
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:55 am
I should say if you can try and add my requests. Didn’t mean for it to sound rude, sorry. I know you are probably busy with real life like the rest of us.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:44 am
Effing nice mate! Please keep up the good work on this, and we will stay loyal to you. I’ve been waiting for sumting like this for long time.
You the best!
September 12th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
This is working fine for me Windows 7 (x86).
One issue I’ve found though: If you go into the admin panel and save the playlist goes to the beginning – not very useful if you’re using it to skip tracks.
The workaround is to use cancel obviously.
September 25th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
@ Paul. What settings did you use to get it to install under Windows 7? I’ve tried and it hangs trying to load the library.
Shame, cuz it looks so cool!
Any feedback?
Randall
December 7th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Hi, does anyone else have issues with the wrong album covers showing up on the wrong CD’s? Im wondering if its something to do with changing itunes artwork after using itunestouch for the first time? Is there a way to clear the tempory memory?
January 8th, 2011 at 12:55 am
Brilliant!!!!
I am looking into making myself a (large) portable touchscreen Jukebox at the moment and this looks great, I plan to use an old pc – I have a Dell with an intel 2.4, 1gig ram, 320GB HD … all I need now is a touchscreen monitor and I can start on making the case to install it all in … still considering what speakers/amp im gonna use but I’ll come to that after I’ve sourced the monitor – the only stipulation I have for my speakers is that they are hardcore loud!!!
nice one for this site as seeing this software has rejuvenated my interest in making my Jukebox!!!!
Suggestions for improvement on your software
1) ‘Skip Track’ instead of having to go into all settings have one button called ‘Skip’ and when you press it you are prompted for password – enter password then current track is skipped and normal mode is resumed automatically
2a)’Volume Control’ as above have one button named ‘Volume’ and when you press it you are prompted for password – enter password then a full screen width (or height) volume slider appears along with a ‘Lock Volume’ button. Adjust volume to desired level then press the ‘Lock Volume’ button to go back to normal mode.
2b)’Volume Control’ or perhaps a volume slider displayed either from top to bottom or left to right using the full capacity of the screen so current volume is displayed as a button on the slider, if you try and slide the volume up or down it pops up a box asking for the pin, once pin is entered volume can be adjusted and a ‘Lock Volume’ button appears so that once volume has been adjusted to desired level you can lock it again. I think this would be impressive as if you are displaying that your volume is halfway down the slider and the tunes are booming it shows just how much more your jukebox is capable of.
3) As previously mentioned a search button which pops up three button: ‘Search By Artist’ & ‘Search By Album’ & ‘Search By Genre’ would be great
4) Browse albums by dragging actual screen down/up rather than a scroll bar on the right
5) Currently playing album art – would it be worth resizing the currently playing album art to full for the width of the ‘Now Playing’ column with the Song Title/Artist/Album Name/Time Played/Song Length below – I like to see the album art of a currently playing track when listening to music
6) In the ‘Now Playing’ column could you have the album art displayed as a smaller icon on the right of the queued up songs
I know I have suggested a lot but please be aware I think what you have made is great and I am not putting it down in any way!
I have no idea how much work any of my suggestions would involve but be sure that I would have no clue where to even start but if you think any of my suggestions are any good and possible then we may see them in the future.
Top Man!!!!
January 16th, 2011 at 4:21 am
Looks like this died, to bad had great potential
February 2nd, 2011 at 11:18 am
This looks like a good idea. Has there been any update to this.
Thoughts for features
scroll bar on the right hand side that is each letter of the alphabet. i.e scroll by selecting the button which jumps to say the albums starting with M then pressing down arrow scrolls down the album covers.
The ability to detect IPOD inserted. (ensure that contents are not wiped from IPOD). When IPOD detected it adds a button with the name of the ipod on the side. Then i scans the content and loads via this button in the same way. Play straight from IPOD.
A final thought if you don’t have time use something like googlecode to upload your source and then people can work on it adding features etc.
This is a simple idea that will work with a touchscreen.
February 2nd, 2011 at 12:07 pm
I might just do that. I’ve not found the time recently to develop the app any further. I’ll see what I need to do…
April 25th, 2011 at 1:30 am
I know you’re not really developing this right now, but would it be possible for me to tweak the graphics a bit? I see someone else asked about it, just not sure how it ever turned out.
August 9th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
DAMN,,, I think I will like it… but I cannot download that program you need in the first place… Anybody can help me?
August 11th, 2011 at 1:49 am
Matt Facer, you are godlike!!
I’ve been looking for this for a year now.. This seems to fulfill my dreams! I’ve used silverjuke, but the buttons are way to small..
Matt!, you really need to post a link here for the sourcecode so people can develop the app further! Your jukebox app must not die!
I have another question, will the app run in 640×480 resolution?
Than you!
Rasmus