The new Music Widget, which is actually a standalone app, brings back to life the original Mac OS X (Tiger) iTunes widget. So you can party like it’s 2005 with your tunes.
The Tiger OS, released in 2005, offered nifty little widgets through its Dashboard. Now programmer Mario Guzman gives us an exact replica of the defunct iTunes widget, but for modern Macs.
Works like the original iTunes widget
Guzman’s app functions like the old widget did, offering controls identical to the original’s. Music Widget works solely as a mini player remote for the Apple Music app, however. It doesn’t work with other music apps, like Spotify or Amazon Music.
Guzman says on his website that Music Widget uses the same playback and volume controls as Apple Music, as well as the same shortcuts. People who use Apple Music won’t have to learn anything to use the app.
Alright nerds. I have an early beta version of my Music Widget up for download. Let me know what you think. Retweets/screenshots are welcome. https://t.co/51sfimm7LI
— Mario Guzman (@MarioGuzman) June 26, 2021
What’s more, the app’s UI changes to match the Apple Music app when you play a live stream, such as Apple Music 1 or a radio station.
Guzman’s project puts artwork, controls and UI elements directly in code rather than using images. That’s good, because you wouldn’t want old-school imagery, circa 2005, looking bad on your modern Retina display.
In good company
Music Widget joins another retro-style music player Cult of Mac wrote about recently. That one resurrects the iPod Classic click wheel in its look, feel and functionality. One difference, though, is that developer Tanner Villarete’s iPod Classic player works with Apple Music or Spotify.
Like Villarete’s app, Music Widget is free. It’s available to download in beta mode on Guzman’s website.
