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iTunes gets an update

Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet software and services, takes the stage to unveil updates to the company's media player, iTunes. Users can expect changes to the desktop version of iTunes in October. Changes in the iOS 6 version of iTunes, the App Store, and the iBookstore are slated for September 19.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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An international presence

According to Apple, in the last nine years, 20 billion songs have been purchased from iTunes, which is available in 63 countries.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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The mobility of iTunes

Also according to Apple, 66 percent of iTunes downloads stem from iOS devices, such as the iPad and iPhone.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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A new look on the iPad

The iTunes Store has been redesigned for the iPad to feature bigger tiles across the top.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Vertical viewing

An image of an iPhone displaying the new iTunes Store in portrait mode.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Social network tie-in

The iTunes Store on the iPhone features big app pages and Facebook integration.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Summarizing it so far

Aside from the redesign, Cue said that users will be able to preview songs for 90 seconds while browsing.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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iTunes on the desktop

iCloud will now be built-in with iTunes. The left-oriented source list is gone, replaced by a drop-down menu. Albums expand like folders similar to those on iOS and OS X.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Gridlocked look

The new iTunes will display an expansive grid of albums.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Smooth track listings

When you click on an album, track listings will seamlessly pop up on the interface.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Browsing by artist

The interface when browsing in Artist mode looks similar to the Music app on the iPad.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Album 'Inception'

iTunes Store integration enables users to view other albums from within an album.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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'Payphone' party time

Users can also see an entire music library and a playlist at the same time.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Because you're a terrible DJ

When dragging an album from the list, iTunes will bring up a little tab to the right to help users create playlists.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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What's up next?

The "up next" feature enables users to see what's next on the playlist queue in a pull-down menu.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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A better search

Search has also improved. Entire albums are pulled up in a search query, but you can home in on individual songs as well.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Mini simplicity

The iTunes mini player's look has been updated, for when you want to shrink iTunes on the desktop.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Still searching

Though the window is collapsed, users can still search in iTunes even when it's in mini mode.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Mixing it up

Files from the iCloud, as well as downloaded media, are displayed together in a fully integrated window.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Hulk smash... the iCloud together!

Here, a clip from "The Avengers" shows how users can watch movies from both their computers and their iCloud storage.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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A familiar look

The new iTunes Store page looks similar to how it appears on iOS.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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'Born to Run'... this Apple presentation

Again, similar to iOS, you can hear a preview of a song while browsing other parts of the iTunes Store.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Tickets to the Boss

Users can also research and discover artist information, including tour dates and purchasing details.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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Wrapping it up

In summation, the desktop version of iTunes will have iCloud integration, an updated iTunes Store, and a more streamlined design.

Updated:September 12, 2012Caption:Lynn LaPhoto:James Martin/CNET

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