14 DAY TRIAL // A new and improved version of iTunes 12 is available for Windows users today. Apple offers 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the updated software, and links to a support document about using the new iTunes 12.
iTunes 12.1.1 appears to only be available for Windows customers, with no such update being released for OS X computers. It’s a bug-fix release, but one that should matter a great deal to users of Outlook on iOS, fans of screen readers, and even those people who use iTunes to play their music.
Fixes playback, syncing, screen reader support
According to the release notes accompanying iTunes 12.1.1, Apple has made a few code corrections to address an issue that may cause audio playback to stutter.
Some users also reported a problem with syncing contacts and calendars from Outlook to iOS devices, and this is also fixed in the new version. Lastly, iTunes 12.1.1 improves compatibility with screen readers, according to the changelog.
Users looking to learn more about iTunes 12 are directed to support document HT6546, which includes basic information about the media types supported by the player, keyboard shortcuts, the sidebar and playlists, list view, device management, the MiniPlayer, and more.
Also new in iTunes
For those of you who haven’t updated in a while, iTunes 12 also includes Family Sharing, which lets you share your purchases (including App Store content) with up to six people in your family, without sharing accounts or passwords.
The software includes dedicated icons for music, movies, apps, TV shows, etc., something that Apple says “makes it easier to get to wherever you want to go in your library with a single click.”
That being said, navigation through the interface remains a drag. We’ve written on countless occasions that iTunes desperately needs a makeover, and we hope that Apple finally delivers in the near future.
Download iTunes 12.1.1 for your Windows computer and try the new enhancements.