Apple Releases iTunes 12.1 With New Yosemite Notification Center Widget

Apple today released iTunes 12.1 for OS X Yosemite, introducing a new iTunes widget for the Notification Center. With the widget, it's possible to see what song is playing, skip ahead, and favorite. When listening to iTunes Radio, there's an option to purchase the song that's being played, right within the widget. Today's update also includes performance improvements when syncing an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to iTunes.

iTunes 12.1 can be downloaded via the Software Update Mechanism in the Mac App Store.

ituneswidget

This update introduces a new iTunes widget for Notification Center in OS X Yosemite. See what's playing, skip ahead, and even buy songs while listening to iTunes Radio -- right from Notification Center. This update also improves performance when syncing when your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

iTunes 12.1 is the first major update to iTunes 12, which was introduced alongside OS X Yosemite. iTunes 12 brought a new design with Yosemite-style translucency elements to improve depth, a streamlined toolbar, and the melding of the iTunes Store and the personal Library to make it easier to navigate between owned content and what's available in the store.

Related Forum: Mac Apps

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Next Month With These 12 New Features

Wednesday August 20, 2025 1:23 pm PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max should be unveiled in a few more weeks, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone X through iPhone 14 Pro...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Just Weeks Away: Eight Reasons to Upgrade

Wednesday August 20, 2025 6:44 am PDT by
We're only weeks away from Apple's annual iPhone event – rumored to take place on September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for enhancements,...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet Now Available in 10 U.S. States

Wednesday August 20, 2025 12:00 pm PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. This week, Apple announced the 10th U.S. state that has implemented the feature: Montana. Below, we have recapped key details about...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

When Is iPhone 17 Coming Out?

Wednesday August 20, 2025 5:00 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 series is expected to debut in September 2025. This release follows Apple's recent trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. To unveil the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple is expected to hold its annual iPhone announcement event during the week of September 8, 2025, with September 9 or 10 emerging as the most likely...
Apple TV Plus Feature 2 Dark Teal

Apple TV+ Price Increase Announced

Thursday August 21, 2025 7:26 am PDT by
Apple today raised the monthly price of its Apple TV+ streaming service to $12.99 in the U.S., according to 9to5Mac's Benjamin Mayo. Apple TV+ cost just $4.99 per month in the U.S. when it launched in 2019, but the price has now increased three times. The price went up to $6.99 per month in 2022, and then to $9.99 per month in 2023, and now the service costs $12.99 per month. The latest...
techwoven cases 1

Colors for Alleged 'TechWoven' iPhone 17 Cases Shown Off in New Images

Thursday August 21, 2025 2:33 pm PDT by
Apple is designing new "TechWoven" cases for the iPhone 17, with photos of some of the alleged case colors shared today by leaker Majin Bu. The cases feature a muted, fabric design in colors that appear to include black, blue, green, purple, and orange. The TechWoven cases will reportedly replace the fabric-like FineWoven casesthat Apple discontinued with the iPhone 16 launch. The FineWoven...

Top Rated Comments

hfletcher Avatar
138 months ago
I really miss the sidebar in iTunes...
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Traverse Avatar
138 months ago
People still use iTunes?
Everyday for music, tv shows, or the occasional movie.
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spaceballl Avatar
138 months ago
I care a lot more about the alleged improvement in syncing performance than I do about the widget!

(i really don't know any OS X users that regularly use their notification center)
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2499723 Avatar
138 months ago
(i really don't know any OS X users that regularly use their notification center)

Add me to that list.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wild-Bill Avatar
138 months ago
iTunes 12 is a hot mess.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hfletcher Avatar
138 months ago
You can bring it up by pressing "Playlists" at the top of iTunes.

Yes, but it's not the same. It just feels very clunky design to be honest.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)