iTunes and Panther

[truckster]

I have a friend who shares this lament … I couldn't help him ….

Ok. Here's the story. I have an iTunes gift card, but can't use it. I have an older Mac (G4 iMac OSX10.3 aka Panther)which can only run an older version of iTunes (ver. 7.5), which can't connect to the store since freakin' Apple recoded the web store about a year ago. (Before that, I was able to connect). The newer version of the app won't run on my ancient machine. I don't feel like buying a new 'puter just so I can run the newest app. And I don't have an iPhone or iPad.

So I was wondering if I could get online to the store by some hidden web page via my browser (Firefox 2.0 or Safari 1.3) instead of through the app. I can't ask Apple support, becuase they also recoded their corporate web site and it now doesn't recognize my browser, which I can't upgrade either.

Jeez... Do they make these friggin' changes just so you have to keep buying new stuff?

any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[DeltaMac]

Your iMac G4 can be upgraded to 10.5 (Leopard), which would then allow you to use a more current version of iTunes, and then use your gift card as you see fit.

That would also provide you software that may support using an iPhone or iPad, should you choose to get one of those.
Keep in mind that the newer hardware tends to need newer software.

[NaOH]

iTunes 7.7.1 should be the latest version which can run under 10.3. I was using it until a couple months ago on a G3-running PowerBook and, while I didn't use the iTunes Store, I did have podcast subscriptions.

You may also want to try other browsers as long as you don't heed DeltaMac's OS-upgrade suggestion (not that I know of a web page like you described) since the ones you mentioned are quite old.

iTunes 7.7.1 (direct download)

Worth-Trying Panther-Compatible Browsers
iCab 4.9
Camino 1.6.11
Opera 9.64

[benwiggy]

Quote: Originally Posted by truckster Jeez... Do they make these friggin' changes just so you have to keep buying new stuff?

G4 iMacs were made between 2002 and 2004. So that's an 8 to 10-year-old computer, which is more than a reasonable lifespan.
Apple does "draw a line in the sand" and cut off older technologies, but you're not quite at the end of the line yet.

As pointed out, to keep it more up-to-date, you can install up to OS X 10.5 (Leopard), which will render your machine much more compatible with more modern software and standards. You need to buy a retail copy of Leopard from somewhere like eBay, but it shouldn't be much money.
You might also want to check that your computer has as much memory as it can take, as lots of RAM will make the computer more responsive (or rather, not enough RAM will make the Mac less responsive). Again, old memory should be rather cheap.

[truckster]

Thanks guys … I'll pass on the information you have provided.