# Is there any alternative to Itunes?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-alternative-to-itunes/586710>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 24, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-alternative-to-itunes/586710 "2011-06-24T14:35:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![crawfyssj5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@crawfyssj5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crawfyssj5)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-alternative-to-itunes/586710/21 "2011-06-25T11:31:13Z")

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> [@Garfield226](#):
>
> Just to clarify, it seems like the OP’s problem is this:
> 
> He’s using a third-party app to download music files of some indeterminate format to the iPod.
> 
> The music gets downloaded into some filesystem sandboxed area accessible to that program and possibly others, but that the iPod app doesn’t read.
> 
> The third-party program (possibly the one that downloads the music originally, possibly the one that allows access to the iPod filesystem, possibly another one) that the OP can use to play the music files of indeterminate format does not work when running in the background.
> 
> _This has nothing to do with a computer or “iTunes” (the software program that runs on a Mac)._

That’s right yes, quite simply want a program that can play songs in the background and let me multi task at the same time, just like the in built music app on the iPod 🙂 I can’t believe this has not been created, would be huge in the jailbroken Market

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**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-alternative-to-itunes/586710/22 "2011-06-25T15:09:46Z")

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> [@gazpacho](#):
>
> you are downloading music in a way that doesn’t involve using an apple service. This is against the apple way, so it has a good chance of not working all that great. It sucks and is completely unreasonable but at least the phone is shinny and cool.

APPLE RAGE BLIND ME SO MUCH I NO SEE IPHONE NOT INVOLVED! APPLE BAD!

Or just, yawn.

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**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-alternative-to-itunes/586710/23 "2011-06-25T15:23:25Z")

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Well, when you upgrade to iOS 5 soon, you can do this with a Virtual desktop app. You download the file via the virtual desktop onto your iTunes library at home, then sync over the air at work, and viola! Instant pirated music gratification.

Alternatively, just simmer the hell down and wait until you get home to listen to the new music. Don’t you have you work you need to be doing?

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**Author:** ![crawfyssj5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@crawfyssj5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crawfyssj5)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-alternative-to-itunes/586710/24 "2011-06-25T20:30:00Z")

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> [@Amblydoper](#):
>
> Well, when you upgrade to iOS 5 soon, you can do this with a Virtual desktop app. You download the file via the virtual desktop onto your iTunes library at home, then sync over the air at work, and viola! Instant pirated music gratification.
> 
> Alternatively, just simmer the hell down and wait until you get home to listen to the new music. Don’t you have you work you need to be doing?

Lol this wasn’t the answer I was looking for, but think it’s the only one I’m gonna get 😛 lol p.s. Works always better with tunes lol

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**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-alternative-to-itunes/586710/25 "2011-06-26T08:17:31Z")

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I was under the impression that every app had its own sandbox. Am I mistaken?

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**Author:** ![crawfyssj5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@crawfyssj5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crawfyssj5)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-alternative-to-itunes/586710/26 "2011-06-26T13:16:06Z")

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> [@BigT](#):
>
> I was under the impression that every app had its own sandbox. Am I mistaken?

I don’t think they do, ain’t any settings I have seen for this.

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