myspace itunes plugin
Ever felt the need to let people know what you’re listning to? For some reason I decided this is what I needed to do… dont ask why, I dont know myself…..
Anyway, I came across a website which allows you to download a plugin for iTunes which will generate an XML file. This linked in with some nice flashy scripting to do something with the XML data could be fun!So, I made a very quick flash interface for the data. Check it out on my profile:
Every time iTunes changes a song the code will update the XML file and upload it to my FTP server. This in turn will update the mySpace flash part. It is fairly crude at the moment, but I will update it as soon as I have time with some flashy new features – like linking in with Amazon to buy the song I am listening to etc…..
110% of the thanks for this code goes to the mighty Brandon Fuller – he wrote the iTunes plugin which installs like a dream – there is also a Windows Media plugin as well as iTunes for the Mac.
http://brandon.fuller.name/archives/hacks/nowplaying/
The program will upload up to 5 songs for free, after that you need to register the software in order to get unlimited usage. It’s only $10 so well worth it!
I am thinking about setting up some free FTP space for people to use this – so if there’s enough interest I will get that done. I’ll also post my flash code as soon as it’s in a nicer state!!
Cheers! 
UPDATE: I’ve now added a file check to see when the “currently_playing” XML file was last updated. If the current time is greater than 10 minutes since the file was last updated, I am assuming that iTunes is not running! Of course you’d run in to a problem with songs over 10 minutes long, but I dont happen to have many of those!! So for now this will do!!
UPDATE 2: I’ve also written a wordpress plugin for it too – see it in action on the right of this page (if I’m listening to anything!)
hey, can you hook me up with that Flash app for Brandon Fuller’s plugin? I think this would be huge on MySpace….
You should check out last.fm aka. audioscrobbler – they offer exactly this service, plus they social aggregate the information, and have a slick plugin like iscrobbler or menuet.