10 Replacement Icons to Re-Beautify iTunes

When Apple released iTunes 10 last week, the newest version of the venerable media app sported not only a refined interface and the new Ping social network but a new application icon, as well.

For nearly a decade, every version of iTunes has used some variation of a CD and paired with an eighth note as its desktop icon. iTunes 10 dropped the CD, opting instead for a circle with a slight gradient with the music note emblazoned at the center.

Users are not impressed. The more displeased among us are taking their message to Twitter, Facebook and even Steve Jobs’ e-mail account, decrying what some consider to be a design abomination.

Here at Mashable, we’re more about solving problems rather than kvetching online. Thus, we scoured the web (basically Deviantart and Dribble) to find the best substitute iTunes 10 icons around.

Re-beautify your desktop and put an end to eyestrain, headaches and the general feeling of malaise that may accompany the use of the default icon with some of these replacements, showcased and linked in the gallery below.

How to Replace Your Icon

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Need help replacing your icons? Never fear, we have your covered!

Mac

For Mac users, Apple.com actually has a help document that outlines the steps needed to change an application or folder icon.

From that document:

To change an item’s icon to another one:

• Select the volume, application, folder, or file whose icon you want to stamp onto another, just click the icon to select it.
• From the File menu, choose Get Info or press Command-I to open the Info window.
• Click the icon in the upper-left corner of the Info window to select it.
• From the Edit menu, choose Copy or press Command-C.
• Select the volume, application, folder, or file whose icon you want to replace.
• From the File menu, choose Get Info or press Command-I.
• Click the icon in the upper-left corner.
• From the Edit menu, choose Paste or press Command-V to replace the icon.

Note: Mac users want to use the *.icns file type for icons. You can also use third-party programs like the fantastic CandyBar if you want more control over your icons and organizing sets of icons.

Windows

For Windows users, you want to use the *.ICO file type.

In Windows XP:
To change the icon to a shortcut for iTunes (assuming it is on your desktop)

• Right click the shortcut
• Select Properties
• Click on the “Customize” tab
• Press the “change icon button”
• In the selection window that opens up, select “browse”
• Find the location of your icon and open that folder or select the *.ICO file
• Press “OK” once you have chosen the icon you want to use

In Windows Vista and Windows 7:

• Right click on the desktop and select “Personalize”
• Click on the “Change Desktop Icons” item on the left hand side of that window
• Select your iTunes icon (this assumes it is on your desktop)
• Click the “Change Icon” button
• Select the icon your want to use in its place and press OK.

You can download more icons here:

1. Louis Harboe Louie has two different icons, one a straight modification and another that mimics the iTunes icon on the iPhone.

2. Dan Wiersema Dan takes the original icon and makes it a bit more robust, while also offering some color variations.

3. Toffeenut Design Toffeenut keeps the general feel of the original icons but with thicker borders various colors and lighter text.

4. Javier Ocasio Javier takes a multi-colored approach to his icons and offers round and square choices.

5. The Iconfactor Our friend David Lanham updated the Iconfactory's popular Flurry system with four different iTunes 10 icons.

6. Ryan R. James Ryan takes some cues from Apple's own iTunes icon for the iPhone in his take.

7. Dean J. Robinson Dean decided to go metallic in his icons.

8. Sean Turbidy We found Sean's icon on Dribble and fell in love with his Fisher Price approach to icon design.

9. Thomas Ricciardiello Another Dribble find, Thomas's icon has a really great blue in its background.

10. Nobtaka It's hip to be square!

Source: mashable

Posted in: Apple