TuneBar for Mac3.6.1

I renamed TuneX to TuneBar back in February 2007 so this is far from a recent change. The reasons for changing though were due to me becoming aware of a company in Europe owning the rights to the name "TuneX". I decided to change the name to avoid any kind of legal issues. I have just checked TunesBar out and see that its version 1.0 was released about 1 year and 4 months after I renamed to TuneBar.

Why would the developer of TuneX rename his app to TuneBar when there's already an app called TunesBar with similar functionality? Where has the originality gone these days?

a lot of iTunes controllers search functions got messed up when iTunes 7.7 was released, I'm guessing that's the issue

tunebar 3.5. -- search function -- is not working on my macbook intel 13.3" whenever I search for a song, nothing happeny no matter which preference setting - search function doesn't work at all. As to me this would be the killer feature, I have to delete the app and use SizzlingKeys again

I emailed the author about this but received not reply. It appears that using TuneBar to switch playlist doesn't actually switch the playlist in iTunes. If I start a playlist in iTunes and then use TuneBar to switch to another playlist that part works. However, if I pause the tune in the new playlist when I unpause it the paused tune does not resume. Instead the original playlist starts over.

To Ivanovitch: I run TuneBar (2.7.2) on a dual monitor set up and it seems fine. This is on a DP G5, not an Intel. I also have it installed on an MacBook Pro, but I haven't used it there other than to start it up, set my preferences, and make sure that it worked. Can you be more descriptive about the instability you see? One thing I did notice is that if you use the standard TuneBar notification (instead of growl), then it does assume the left side monitor isn't there (it slides the notification off the right monitor and onto the left monitor). However, that's not a really a problem, and if you switch to using Growl notification, then it's not an issue at all. In terms of the CPU issues I saw with earlier versions, that seems to be resolved. I still see CPU usage spike up, but that's to be expected. The constant CPU usage I saw before isn't happening.

Warning: not just unstable, but doesn't play nicely with dual-screen setups (plugging in an extra monitor causes problems, removing a monitor causes system instability).

I've tried Synergy, but found it too clumsy to get in to using it regularly. Tunebar looks like a nicely streamlined alternative. I'm excited that it works with Growl, as well. I'm going to try it out immediately.

Good looking app, but unfortunately you can't fully customize the hotkeys. I'll be sticking with Butler.

Yet another iTunes controller...

Yet another iTunes controller...

have been a user of Synergy for the longest time, this seems like a really cool alternative!

I much prefer long windows like this that evenly takes up space on screen. It is much easier to keep windows organized and works well for those of us with lots of vertical real estate as on a vertically oriented monitor.

cool idea

cool idea

cool idea

a nice looking tool. i do not know if i need it :-)

Here's a tip that'll save you even more money: right-click, control-click, or click and hold the iTunes icon in the Dock. Voilà, iTunes controller. I don't get why so many people even bother with these little "iTunes controllers", I hate them with a passion. If you're that desperate, use the Docklet or push the Zoom button once or twice to get the MiniPlayer, which you can set to be always-on-top (à la floating window) in Preferences.

I don't see much utility in this with an efficient app switcher like LaunchBar or QuickSilver. When is it really easier to use "not iTunes" rather than simply activiate iTunes? Maybe my work style is unique.

hmm, somebody is a bit generous with their song ratings looking at the screensot above. The average must be about 4.9!

The design complements Overflow perfectly.

is this thing a pain in the butt to use? It looks like it'd get in the way. I'm a coversutra user...

I use Synergy, but after giving TuneBar a try, I think I just may switch. Synergy has alot of bells and whistles and it is a great app, but I just love that TuneBar will show the name of song, artist, album (or any combo you set) that is playing AND it also allows you rate songs from the bar itself. The bar pops up only when you need it. I also has Growl notifications. I think I used to use an app that would reside in the menu bar and the name of the song playing would scroll across the bar, ( I want to say it was Sizzling Keys, but not sure). Anyways, I LOVED the scrolling ticker and Synergy has said it will be available in a future release so until then, I think I am going to use Tune Bar.

I like Synergy myself...simple controls in the menu bar, full control in the drop-down menu, Growl-like notifications with song info and artwork when the song changes.

Yeah I have Sizzling Keys myself, not sure this will really add much benefit for me.

Well, I use SIZZLING KEYS from Yellow Mug Software. The basic app is free and does just about everything TuneBar does and more. Did I mention it's free?

From my experience, I prefer CoverSutra over TuneBar. I can kind CoverSutra away and know I can still access it quickly and I like the interface better.

It's what iTunes needs, but I agree with WMSchoenhofer.

No brainer! This is good stuff. Had already considered paying full price.

It's pretty cool. I like it. Small and out of the way.

It is a good app. I've tried some of them and this seems to be the best.

I don't really see the point of this or really the point of charging so much for a plugin for a free program, even at its discounted price. little programs like this should be like 1.99

I use Butler for it's clipboard and iTunes controller/hotkey features. But this looks pretty cool. I'll give it a try.

I have Synergy already, but I'll try it out anyway.

More powerful than synergy, but i like synergy's simplicity. Search is a nice bonus with this on

It doesn't look bad, but I still prefer Menuet...

It looks beautiful :)

i like the autohide controller.

gotta have last.fm :)

I'll have to try this to see if it is better than Synergy. I've used Synergy for years now and if it is better I'll buy it.

Has growl too? I'll try it.

This is pretty nice, and the growl support is a bonus.

I've got one installed, but I never seem to actually use it.

I prefer this to the minimized iTunes view because of its ability to view and set song ratings. TuneBar's built-in keyboard shortcuts and Growl notifications are also very handy.

Hmmm...I never tried using an iTunes controller...and if I start I don't think I would pay for one.

The only thing I miss is last.fm integration...

This is a very nice app if you run iTunes while you work (or whatever). Slick and unobtrusive.

Looks good, will try it out.

This tool seems useful and I like the black style also. Moreover I agree with the rest of folks about the good price in MUpromo.....

I also usually just use the mini-iTunes interface. I have trouble understanding why I would want an extra app that does essentially the same thing. Maybe I need to try one for a while. I wouldn't mind getting it for free, but I can't see using it enough to spend any amount of money on it. (Sorry, I guess this isn't a particularly helpful comment!)

I've definitely been enjoying this app. I used iTunes Bar (with Konfabulator, now Yahoo Widgets) for years, and I definitely got to like its thin display and hotkey access. Although TuneBar isn't quite as pretty, it's definitely got the functionality there. I actually just stumbled across the trial recently, and have been very please with the way it will display the track's title in the menubar. (Of course, that won't be very helpful for people who have a really full menubar.)

Looks promising. I've been using You Control, but this might be better.

I already own something similar but this might be worth checking out. The price is certainly good.

I'll stick with synergy.

agreed with the others.... i never use that itunes dashboard widget. this might be worth trying out. will have to see if it takes too much space, just sitting there.

I actually use SizzlingKeys foriTune control, but I really like the visuale feedback provided by TuneBar. It's friggin's hard to remember all these kyboard shortcuts... Highly recommender for okls like me who manage w/ family's 16Gb CD collection and want to create playlists based on ratings. (while you're doing your actual productive work!?)

Wow- looks like the app I have been looking for.

I usually just use the itunes interface in minimal view, but this looks like it could be handy.

This is a very nice idea actually, reminds me of some of the old winamp strip interfaces that used to be around. Nice to have something that stays out of the way until needed.

Looks like a nice util, and easier to use than a clunky Dashboard app.

I have just received a number of emails since releasing 2.6.2 stating that a few bugs seem to have surfaced for some people. If your experiencing any kind of problems with this version of TuneBar could you please email me any details of your system that you feel will be useful and I will fix the problem as soon as possible. Thanks, Tom

I purchased this a while ago. Nice app. However, I'm still using v2.5. The past two releases, 2.6 and 2.6.1 both consume a lot of CPU relative to 2.5. When you fire up 2.6+, both the TuneBar process AND a process called System Events start consuming 5-10% of the CPU each! This is on a DP 2.0 GHz PowerPC G5. I'm assuming this has something to do with the "Sparkle Integration" mentioned in the 2.6 release notes. I wrote directly to the developer when I saw this happen with 2.6, but did not receive a response. Rob

this program is pretty slick - i like the GUI design and its functionability my one suggestion would be this: add hotkeys for volume control!!! you have hotkeys for everything else, so why shouldnt you be able to adjust the volume the same way? this is the only thing keeping me from making this my main itunes window program - right now i am using x-tunes and it has everything i need but the GUI is ugly as hell and i would much rather use TuneX.

Hi attentionwandered, Can I ask how much CPU usage your getting? I'm getting around 1% on my computer. What kind of computer do you use, what software are you using. As for the other issues I will look in to these, and correct them. Tom Hancocks

i like this idea and interface and stuff a few inconsistancies i noticed though -uses alot of cpu -menu bar displays either track or artist, i would like it to be both at the same time -when the hotkey to show the controller is pressed, you have to go back to the mouse and click in the search part to actually search. you should just be able to start typing.

It always amaze me why one would need an extra controler for iTunes that just do pause, next track, previous track. Just minimize iTunes and that's it. I'm I missing something ?

Hi everyone, I've just had it brought to my attention that the version of TuneX on is in fact a beta release of it. I'm am not sure how this has managed to happen but am looking in to it. In the mean time I can only recommend that anyone who has downloaded it, redownload as the problem has been fixed. This should also fix a few bugs you may be experiencing. If you have downloaded TuneX and are running it, you can also go to the TuneX menu and select Check For Updates... to download it directly to your computer. I am sorry for any inconvienence caused, Tom Hancocks

I couldn't have opened developer's Web site by clicking "More information", so I Yahoo-ed for "TuneX 2.0", which brought me to the following Web site: http://bluelaser.freepgs.com/ In case you cannot download from MacUpdate, try the above URL.

I am using TuneX for couple of months. Acctualy, I am truying it - and I am not pleased at all. There is nothing as MINIMAL explanation (like, VERY IMPORTANT - HOW TO CLOSE THIS APP). OK, it does work in background, but there has to be the way to close it - besides, awkward and stupid restarting the Finder. That is why it is not good. Second its appearance is annoying because one CANNOT CONTROL its lenght of time. Etc. SORRY! Now, I am going to restart Finder in order to close this app ONCE FOR EVER! Prof. DEJA VUE

As stated before, the features are minimistic. Only forward/backward without even selecting a playlist makes this quite useless, for example if you've got some radio plays in your iTunes as well, but you want to listen to music only. Add a playlist selection and a random/not-random checkbox (and make it start iTunes if Play is pressed and iTunes not open at least), and it'll double it's value instantly! Also, for the notification, why not use Growl ( http://growl.info/ )? That way users can modify the notifications to their liking through Growl, which is intended for exactly this.

The interface of this little utility is really elegant and enticing, really nicely conceived. It functions on precisely the same principle as the dock (cursor over defined area brings up "control bar"). And so far the utility seems to do what it says it will. However, it is unobtrusive to a fault. There are no preferences to speak of, and the controls the utility gives you over iTunes are spartan. Some added controls would be a drop-down menu to browse through songs and playlists, and buttons for launching, quitting, showing and hiding iTunes. A volume panel wouldn't be entirely extraneous. A missing option is the ability to disable the song information that pops up as every new song starts.