Songbird Jukebox App Out in New Version, Complements iTunes
by Sam Dean - Jun. 19, 2009Comments (4)- Related Blog Posts
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The open source jukebox and iTunes competitor Songbird is out in a new version 1.2 for Windows, the Mac and Linux, and it's worth getting, even if you're a dedicated iTunes user. There are several new features, described here. It's now much easier to work with files and folders, and there are many new ways to work with Last.fm, especially when discovering new music.
In version 1.2 of Songbird, you can automatically organize the files contained in your library, and store them in multiple folders. The application uses metadata stored in your music tracks to organize the files across folders.
Users of iTunes will also be pleased to hear that you can now import songs into Songbird from iTunes with ease, and export your tracks and playlists back into iTunes. If you haven't used Last.fm and you like music, Songbird's integration with it is reason enough to download version 1.2. You can share music stations with others, and explore tag and artist relationships to find new music that you're likely to enjoy.
Songbird has also steadily gotten more graphical and good looking. It used to have a profoundly gray, drab feel, but while perusing the built-in 7digital music store and browsing on Last.fm, the application feels all grown up. It also continues to benefit from many outstanding extensions.Â
The download and installation were quick and easy, and you can sign up for Last.fm directly from within Songbird. Give it a spin, and if you're interested in more free, open source resources for digital music, you'll find many of them here.
 
