The Llama, Immortal.
Yep, Winamp is still far from obsolete. Version 5.5 marks 10 years for my personal favorite media player (where were you in 1997?). Version 5.3 added goodies like DivX codec support and syncing to a PMP (portable media player), while 5.5 ups the ante with the ability to sync with miltiple PMPs, and support for Apple's AAC encoding. Yes, those of you lucky enough to have an iPod can use Winamp in place of iTunes if you feel so inclined.
Visually, the new Winamp has a 'new' interface, under the curious name of Bento (according to Wikipedia, bento is a meal served in a compartmentalized box, sort of the Japanese answer to take-out). Really, its just the old, separate, windows connected together so they share a single box, the default colours refreshed to the black, blue, and gray of Windows Memory Hog (er, Vista). Because apparently some people found the old interface confusing. I think flexible is a better adjective, but the new interface is not bad either. The library, which by default takes up much of the window, is much the same as its been for a dog's age now, but as this was never one of Winamp's strengths the decision is questionable. Personally I could do without the teeny tiny type face, but going to 'Bento Big' gave me a font I could actually read.
There is a web-based cover art feature, a la Windows Media Player, but the catalogue seems quite limited and error-prone at this point. An equivalent to cover flow, Touch-style, is a long way off. There is support for RSS feeds and an integrated browser, as well as a little pop-up that displays track information at the start of each song and fades away, like the new mail notification gizmo in Outlook.
I guess the obvious question is if the new Winamp is an iTunes killer. Um, no. Duh. Most people will just dumbly go along with the bundled software out of laziness or sheep-like docility. I'm a long-time Winamp user and this is a nice upgrade over previous versions, and I will most likely continue to use if for the day when I actually have an iPod. Because it still whips the llama's ass.
Visually, the new Winamp has a 'new' interface, under the curious name of Bento (according to Wikipedia, bento is a meal served in a compartmentalized box, sort of the Japanese answer to take-out). Really, its just the old, separate, windows connected together so they share a single box, the default colours refreshed to the black, blue, and gray of Windows Memory Hog (er, Vista). Because apparently some people found the old interface confusing. I think flexible is a better adjective, but the new interface is not bad either. The library, which by default takes up much of the window, is much the same as its been for a dog's age now, but as this was never one of Winamp's strengths the decision is questionable. Personally I could do without the teeny tiny type face, but going to 'Bento Big' gave me a font I could actually read.
There is a web-based cover art feature, a la Windows Media Player, but the catalogue seems quite limited and error-prone at this point. An equivalent to cover flow, Touch-style, is a long way off. There is support for RSS feeds and an integrated browser, as well as a little pop-up that displays track information at the start of each song and fades away, like the new mail notification gizmo in Outlook.
I guess the obvious question is if the new Winamp is an iTunes killer. Um, no. Duh. Most people will just dumbly go along with the bundled software out of laziness or sheep-like docility. I'm a long-time Winamp user and this is a nice upgrade over previous versions, and I will most likely continue to use if for the day when I actually have an iPod. Because it still whips the llama's ass.
posted by Colin at
6:16 p.m.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home