When iTunes for MacOS was released in January 2001 (a Windows version would follow in October 2003), it set new standards for convenience and usability in personal music management software. The program was developed by Apple to serve many purposes. For a typical user, the chief application of iTunes is to manage the content of an iPod, but iTunes is also an independent media player, rich with features. The program can be used to organize playlists, rip compact discs, encode audio, burn CD-R copies, download podcasts, listen to internet radio stations, and purchase music through the integrated iTunes Music Store. A distinct disadvantage of iTunes as a player, however, is that files must be incorporated into an iTunes playlist before they can be played back; it is not possible simply to open a file and play it. The player itself is based on the QuickTime Player, and the two are most frequently bundled together for download.
Audio formats supported: for encoding: WAV, AIFF, MP3 (16 to 320 kbps; variable bitrates also available), AAC (16 to 320 kbps; variable bitrates also available), Apple Lossless; for playback, MP3, MPEG-4 AAC (.m4a), AAC encoded with FairPlay (.m4p files from the iTunes Music Store), Apple Lossless. Will play back WMA files only after converting them to MPEG-4 AAC.
URL for download: http://www.apple.com/itunes/download (includes QuickTime Player)