iTunes 6.0.2 (#4): Apple acknowledges inability to set star ratings; notes workaround; more
Apple acknowledges inability to set star ratings; notes workaround We previously reported on a bug that disallows proper selection of a star rating as a criterion from a Smart Playlist. Three stars cannot be selected as an option, and clicking on other star ratings has erratic results.
The bug causes iTunes to enter two stars if you select one star, four stars if you select two stars, etc.
Apple has now acknowledged this bug in Knowledge Base document #303119, offering a somewhat kludgy workaround:
"If you need a Smart Playlist that only lists ratings with three stars, then configure the Smart Playlist to match all if My Rating is greater than two and less than four [...]"
Inability to edit playlists from contextual menu Another bug being reported by some users in iTunes 6.0.2 is the inability to edit smart playlists using the contextual menu.
One reader writes:
"This can only be achieved using the i Tunes menu bar Edit smart playlist command. Maybe it only applies to users of iTunes 6.0.2 with 10.3.9."
Although we cannot duplicate this bug in house, several other readers are reporting the problem. If you are one of them, please let us know.
AirPort Express streaming stops Some users are reporting an issue where, after upgrading to iTunes 6.0.2, AirPort Express music streaming stops when speaker sets are switched (from Computer to External speakers or vice versa).
MacFixIt reader Brandon writes:
"In iTunes when I switch from 'computer' to 'living room' to play a song, the song actually stops and won't continue playing. It is still in 'play' mode, but the time counter just stops. restarting the song, a different song, or anything else doesn't help. My ladyfriend also has a powerbook and we have the same problem."
Again, we've not been able to duplicate this issue in-house, but if you are having a similar issue please let us know.
Importing issues Some users are reporting a continuation of CD importing problems under iTunes 6.0.2.
One reader writes:
"The import problem still exists on my PB G4 Titanium. I still can't Import or listen to CD music on iTunes 6.02. I called Apple when iTunes 6.01 was released and it was suggested by a tech to replace my optical drive even though I was able to read program disc and view DVD's. So I replace iTunes 6.02 with iTunes 4.7 and every thing is working fine."
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
Previous coverage:
- iTunes 6.0.2 (#3): More on Disk Utility's inability to complete repairs; Smart playlist bug; more
- iTunes 6.0.2 (#2): Unable to run disk utility after update; Gone from Apple's download page; more
- Apple releases iTunes 6.0.2
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Assurance testers. Does anyone ever actually *use* these software updates
inside Apple, as a regular user, before releasing them on the public?
What in the world could have been changed inside iTunes that causes this
strange, specific, bug - and more importantly *why* was this change made if
it did not enhance or fix an existing problem to the Star ratings (that was,
apparently, never reported)?
At some point gigantic companies become so mired in layers and layers of
procedures and processes that virtually nothing get done right the first time.
Meanwhile the suits all scratch their head and wonder why the subscribers are
furious that their Verizon phone no longer supports MP3s after "upgrading"
to the latest firmware - even if they don't actually plan on using the V-
cast music service which was stealthily included in in-store service upgrades
or in new/replacement handsets.
Or the product manager for iTunes has to push yet another point release of
iTunes to fix the Star ratings after the last release, which changed or fixed a
problem with Star ratings no one knew about, really broke the Star ratings.
I have nothing against corporations, mind you, I am just tired of this endless
vertical integration and departmental consolidation by thoughtless yes-men
managers who make harmful arbitrary decisions with no clue what is
happening in the real world or deep inside their own companies where the
real work gets done.