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   iTunes 11 Thinks Different about iOS Devices

   Jeff Carlson

   iTunes 11 promises a simpler interface for interacting with your media
   library, but don't forget that iTunes is also a central hub for working
   with your iOS devices. If you sync and configure an iPhone, iPad, or
   iPod touch using iTunes (versus doing it all via iCloud), the new
   version may initially be confusing.

   The Hidden Sidebar -- In iTunes 10 and earlier, iOS devices show up in
   the sidebar at the left side of the screen. When you select a device,
   the main iTunes window reveals options for choosing which media to
   sync, which apps to include, and so on.

   iTunes 11 doesn't have a sidebar ' at least, it doesn't appear so
   initially. If you prefer the old look, choose View > Show Sidebar (or
   press Command-Option-S) to reveal it.

   [1][tn_itunes11_devices_sidebar.jpg]

   Tasty Popovers -- If you'd rather give the new guard a try (and you
   should), iTunes 11 handles iOS devices in a new Devices popover at the
   right edge of the toolbar. Clicking it reveals any connected devices
   along with how much storage is being used and current battery level.

   [2]Image

   If any of your devices are set to sync wirelessly, they show up whether
   they're physically connected or not, although the battery level does
   not appear. (Wi-Fi syncing is enabled in the iTunes Summary screen as
   'Sync with this iPad over Wi-Fi' in the Options box.) If you've turned
   off Wi-Fi sync, you need to connect using a cable to re-enable it in
   iTunes.

   Click a device name to access its settings. When you're finished, click
   the Done button and return to your media library.

   [3][tn_itunes11_devices_settings.jpg]

   The options here are similar to what appeared in iTunes 10 and earlier,
   with a few notable differences:
     * The storage indicator at the bottom of the window incorporates
       labels for each type of media into the bars, instead of listing
       them below it. That means labels don't appear at all for small
       items such as books. In that case, hover the mouse pointer over a
       section to reveal how many items there are and how much space they
       take up.
     * The data backup options have expanded. You can choose to
       automatically back up data to iCloud or to the computer, as was
       available previously, but now there's a Manually Back Up and
       Restore option. Click the Back Up Now button to back up your data
       to the hard disk. If you normally back up to iCloud, this feature
       gives you a local backup; that's great if you're about to travel
       and want to be able to quickly restore your data if necessary when
       a lengthy iCloud download isn't feasible. Should you want to revert
       to an earlier backup, you need only click the Restore Backup button
       ' previously, you'd have to Option-click the Restore button.
     * On the Apps screen, Apple has returned a dedicated Search field to
       the app list. In iTunes 10, the main Search field at the
       upper-right corner of the window switched to apply to the app list
       when the App screen was visible, which was confusing.
     * Also on the Apps screen, the apps list now includes an action
       button for each program: Install for apps that reside in iTunes but
       not on the device, and Remove for apps that are already installed.
     * Click the new On This iPhone/iPad/iPod button to view the content
       stored in the device's memory. This option is helpful if you
       subscribe to iTunes Match and don't store much media on the device
       itself. You can add new items individually here by clicking the Add
       To button, and then dragging them from your library to the device.
       However, you can't add music if you also use iTunes Match.
       [4][tn_itunes11_devices_addto.jpg]
     * When a device is syncing, you can cancel the operation by clicking
       the sync indicator (the two arrows following each other in a
       clockwise circle).

   Overall, the changes related to iOS devices in iTunes 11 aren't as
   dramatic as they first appear. You can go back to the now-old behavior
   of accessing iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches in the sidebar, or enjoy
   a less-cluttered interface by jumping to dedicated screens for each
   device. And the little changes, like being able to make manual backups,
   are certainly welcome.

References

   1. http://tidbits.com/resources/2012-11/itunes11_devices_sidebar.png
   2. http://tidbits.com/resources/2012-11/itunes11_devices_popover.png
   3. http://tidbits.com/resources/2012-11/itunes11_devices_settings.png
   4. http://tidbits.com/resources/2012-11/itunes11_devices_addto.png

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