News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

September 11, 2008

itunes

As expected, Apple did indeed acquire Magnetosphere visualizer

Posted Sep. 11, ’08, 4:20 PM PT by David Dahlquist
Category | iTunes

magnetosphere .jpgAs cool as the Genius playlist feature on iTunes 8 may be, I can’t help but be even more excited about the visual awesomeness that is the new iTunes visualizer. As I reported earlier, there had been much speculation that Apple would acquire the beautiful Magnetosphere visualizer designed by Allan White and lo-and-behold when iTunes 8 appeared, the rumors turned out to be true.

While the final product isn’t quite as advanced as the pre-rendered video I posted, it’s miles beyond the last iTunes visualizer—and any other visualizer I’ve seen, for that matter.

The swirling, galactic madness keeps me hypnotically glued to the screen, repeatedly pressing the “M” “F” and “L” keys (you can make something resembling an Apple ad, or even Autechre’s legendary “Gantz Graf” video if you hit these buttons in rhythmical ways). There are bunch more commands you can play with too—just hit “?” to see the full list.

In a statement on Magnetosphere developer the Barbarian Group’s website, they express their gratitude toward Apple for picking up their creation:

“Hey there. Thanks for your interest in Magnetosphere. We’re insanely, ridiculously proud to say that Magnetosphere now lives in iTunes - Apple’s world-class media player for Mac and PC. You can download iTunes with Magnetosphere built-in here. The Barbarian Group no longer maintains, develops or owns Magnetosphere. We do, however, own a lot of shoes.”

Rock on, Barbarian. Now if you don’t mind, I have a special meeting with my Aphex Twin collection, iTunes 8 visualizer, and the “M” “F” and “L” keys.


8 Comments

Simon said:

Wow.

Amazing. Really Awesome.

You gotta try it with Daft Punk's : Harder Better Faster Stronger

September 11, 2008 5:19 PM
wesg Author Profile Page said:

I really like the 3D aspect of it.


It's also a good way to cook an egg on a MacBook.

September 11, 2008 5:34 PM
krye said:

Does anyone actually use a visualizer? I mean, what's the point? If I'm listening to music on the computer, I'm usually doing something. Thus, no watching of the visualizer. If I'm just listening to music, then I'm most likely doing something else, elsewhere in the house, thus no watching of the visualizer. So do people just sit in front of the computer watching the visualizer all day? Why? Do you people get this excited over your screensaver?

September 12, 2008 5:17 AM
David Dahlquist said:

@krye: A lot of people consider music to be more than something you put on in the background while doing other things. Also, many people, including myself, have their computer hooked up to their primary sound system, so when they are in fact "just listening to music", they are sitting in front of their computer screen, not doing anything at all. In these situations, you can either have a regular screen in front of you, or a cool visualizer. Beautiful, swirly imagery synced to the music enhances the experience that much more. You outta try it sometime. :-)

September 12, 2008 6:15 AM
Moe Author Profile Page said:

So they spend money on purchasing a visualizer and give us a half @$$ done genius feature. I would have preferred if they had bought Pandora, which is ages ahead of the drunk genius in my iTunes player.

September 12, 2008 8:08 AM
spiderbat said:

If you're using music as background while doing something else, there's no need for a visualizer. If you are just listening to music, then, a visualizer can be a nice thing. If you are really paying attention to music (e.g., trying to follow the different voices in a fugue, at least with my very limited musical abilities), a visualizer is a major distraction.

September 12, 2008 9:33 AM
Smoking Chimpanzees! said:

Even I noticed that the visualiser isn't as 'advanced' as the one demo'ed earlier. I wonder why this is.

September 12, 2008 9:49 AM

Leave a comment

 



Visit other IDG sites: