When I switched to Mac a few years ago, I wasn’t really worried about the PC apps I used and their possible Mac substitutes. I know that a common and sensible worry to have, but I was so excited to finally be able to get my hands on a Mac, that I said to myself, “I’ll deal with it later.”
Today, I regret neither my decision nor my attitude towards the platform change, but there are a few things I certainly felt were lost in the crossover process. Like most people who make the switch, a great deal of that lost feeling has to be with our computer using habits more than with a lack of features or alternatives available on the new platform.
In my case, I was so used to my Microsoft Natural Multimedia keyboard and its multimedia controls, that getting along with the minimalistic Apple keyboard was a bit of a challenge. Of course, at the moment, and even today, there’s no challenge I’m not ready to face to have my pure Mac experience, but I have to say the lack of multimedia keys for iTunes (which I already used in Windows on a daily basis) was kind of frustrating for me.
A few weeks ago, through the forum Applerama, I found this great little app called SizzlingKeys from Yellow Mug Software. It’s an application that allows you to control iTunes with pre-programmed and customizable keyboard shortcuts, no matter which application you are working on. Even though it’s a relatively simple application, it has a large set of controls, really valuable to those of us with strong, non-intrusive music control habits.
This program aims to control iTunes supporting basic features like pause the player, adjust the volume, skip a track or rate a song, but it also gives you the chance to search your iTunes Library or Playlists with a simple keystroke, always avoiding leaving the current app you’re using.
It also features a floating window that shows you the current track info, allowing the user to customize the in-screen position of this semi-transparent window by just dragging it to wherever you like.
SizzlingKeys is one of those apps I really like, basically because of two things: first, it solves a personal, strong, and close-to-my-heart problem that cannot be labeled as a problem anymore; and second, because they include so many features on the free version that you know for sure the developer team isn’t being selfish. They’ve released a full-featured version of a nicely done app, then offer extra pro features for those of you who want to do more with the tool. The pro version costs $4.95 for a single-user license, and $6.95 for the family pack.
VersionTracker already rates it an average of 4.9 stars, and even though I don’t have a rating system, I could say I haven’t found any problem with the application so far. These past couple of weeks I’ve been heavily using it are enough to recommend it to anyone.
If you try it, tell us how it went for you.
Product [SizzlingKeys]
Cool app…and a very cool review…
Thanks Luis for your comment. I forgot to put the links on the article. You can find more information about the app at: http://www.yellowmug.com/sk4it/.
Hi Juan,
As you, I have converted to Mac about a year or two ago, and am not looking back. I also am an avid user of the Microsoft Natural Keyboard 4000, and came across your write-up when trying to figure out how to map iTunes previous/next song functions to the keyboards, back and forward buttons.
I downloaded SizzlingKeys, but it didn't recognize the back or forward buttons from the keyboard when I pressed it. Any ideas on how to get this set up?
Thanks!
Hi Mike,
I stopped using the software once I update my keyboard on the Mac to the slim model with iTunes controls in it. I haven't used this software since 2008, but I'll recommend two things that will definitely help you out.
First, write an email with this same issue you're telling me to the support account of Yellow Mug: support@yellowmug.com. Then, if they don't answer you quickly enough, I'd recommend that you visit the forums at http://www.yellowmug.com/forum/.
They have a specific "room" for SizzlingKeys with a lot of information an a community willing to help.
That should get you up and running in no time.
If you want to let me know how it went for you after you get a response from them come again and write me back.
Thanks for reading and posting in our site, I hope you solve your problem soon and continue to enjoy your Mac
Cheers,
Hi Juan,
Thanks so much for your quick reply! I actually solved the problem by installing the drivers for the Keyboard as provided by Microsoft. I had previously uninstalled them, as they had caused stability issues, but so far I haven't had a crash yet. In the Microsoft Keyboard preferences panel you can actually set iTunes options and assign various iTunes commands to various keys on the keyboard. Once I found that, it was a snap to set next and previous song to the back and forward buttons.
Thanks again for posting your solution. Although it ultimately wasn't the solution I used, it set me on the right track and helped me find my solution.
~Mike
Hey, my pleasure man. I'm glad you solved it.
Enjoy!