Category: Geeks r Us
I’m back again to help, or try to, with iTunes.
12.4 has changed things, an in my opinion, it works well.
In this version, keystrokes will be what matters. Most will work with other versions of iTunes, but some seem to be specific to this version.
I believe this month, due to Apple music going through a redo, iTunes will mature and get better.
I invite anyone, to post to this topic with your suggestions, methods, ideas, and questions.
iTunes is so extensive, I’m sure I’ll miss things, and there are sections I know about, but don’t use on a regular bases.
My next post will try to describe it for you as related to how we view it.
My setup is the current version of Jaws 17, and Windows 10.
Other screen readers should be able to work with the things here, but you’ll notice some differences.
Windows 7 or 8 users should have the same experience I do.
12.4 has a simpler layout then other versions, and has added much you can do with it.
We have Apple music, and iCloud music as well as our music we add from other sources.
It is top to bottom, and left to right for us.
I always imagine it as a square that is navigated.
The main controls are tab, shift tab, and control tab to move about.
Enter, spacebar, Alt, and applications key, or shift F10, for us that don’t have the applications key work the menus.
All you’ve used before is still here, we just go at it a bit differently.
Keystrokes are the best way to get around, and faster in this version.
You’ll notice some things don’t seem to work, and I suspect they will soon when Apple music is redone.
Next I’ll tell you keystrokes and what they can do for you.
Keystrokes are wonderful in this version, and give you a smooth experience.
If you’ve been using iTunes, everything you know is still here, just not exact.
To get to your stuff, for example, music, movies, books, games, a keystroke makes it a breeze.
Control plus a number takes you there. Example, control+1 is music, control+2, movies, and so on.
Games, control+8 and internet radio, control+9 don’t seem to speak for me when I’m there, but are actually on the section anyway.
You’ll notice somethings don’t speak when you press the keystroke, but soon, you’ll get use to knowing you are on it.
Once on a library, or section, pressing tab, takes you to the items. You may need to tab several times to get where you want to be.
Control+tab also works well in some libraries, or sections too, so try them both.
These next keystrokes only work in some places, but not others.
Example, if I am in music, control+1, I can use control+S to open up a menu for different types.
Sometimes, I need to press it twice, then I can see choices.
My choices are recently added, artist, albums, songs, and so forth.
I go through that list just pressing arrow keys up or down.
For me the albums, and recently added don’t work well, and get stuck, but the rest do well.
Once you select the one you want, press enter on it to lock it, then tab to see the list.
You can control tab too, but just tab is faster to me.
Once you are on an item you want, press applications key or if you don’t have, the shift+F10 to open a menu of choices as to what you can do with it.
That hasn’t changed, and is the same as before. We have a few new options, and I think these are better.
Apple gives us a list of keystrokes in the help menu, Alt+H, but I find some aren’t working anymore.
It is a good reference if you are new to iTunes however.
Do discovery, and use control+ a letter, or alt+ a letter to learn what does what.
Example, Alt+A opens a menu to get to your account, Alt+H the help menu.
We have lots of keystrokes and I’ll not list them all, but if you do the discovery, you’ll learn them easy.
Now you have a general working base for the new iTunes.
If you don’t have Apple music, you can keep it from showing in the settings menu, but everything else is good and smooth.
Sure, a learning curve, but that is to be expected with any new version.
Many say this version is not accessible, but I find it even more so.
I still suggest, if you like what you have already, not to upgrade, but if you don’t mind the learning curve, go for it.
I’m open to questions.
Enjoy.
Let's not forget f 6, that key still works and it really lets you zip around to the relevent sections of iTunes.
I wish I could see my recently added as songs instead of albums, but for the most part, this latest version, 12.4.1 is an improvement to the last version, at least using NVDA.
You can actually see you’re recently added if you go to the playlist not the section.
You like the F6.
With Jaws, I press the F6 then tab down until I see the main list. Songs albums, so forth.
After that I keep going to recently added.
I leave it there I don’t press enter or anything, then I tab.
Soon I’m in that list.
Give that a try.
I need to add.
You can tab or use the control tab to get to the list box. Once you hear list box, use the arrow keys to read it.
How do you search for songs in your library?
I use to type what I wanted, then arrow down and the results would show up, same with pressing enter after typing.
Now, all it wants to do is search apple music.
I see some things are broken but I'm hoping they'll be fixed when apple music gets its overhall.
Okay. Two ways that might work for you.
If I know I have the song, or the song title, I put that in the search box.
Tab once and you see search options. You press enter on the option you need, song, album, whatever.
It says unavailable, but they seem to be if you check it.
I guess I’d turn off Apple music if I wanted to just search my library, but if you check my music, then the search options, press enter on the one you want, you should get to your stuff.
Give that a try.
Once you press enter, you’ll need to tab until you find it, or do the control tab.
If you need more on it, say, and I’ll explain where I missed.
Try turning off Apple music, or unchecking the box that says show Apple music, but I don’t think you should need to.
iTunes 12.4.1.6 is more mature, so getting there.
Things are working smoother, and you’ll find some things that weren’t working are now.
It is still not perfect, but better, and vary worth installing.
I’m looking for one more or two updates to come shortly.
The account section is a bit difficult to operate.
To get to it is easy. Trussing Alt+A then using the arrow keys down to view my account, or typing the letter W.
Now you can find all the settings, but here’s were the difficult part comes in.
To change my payment method, I get to the section
On the link button I have to click right arrow to open it. I can also use the links list view, insert+F7, then hit accepted to open it.
After that, I can put my info in. It is something you have to experiment with, but that is the only way I can figure to make it go.
Once finished, you are set.
This is one area that still needs work.