OS X Software: MenuTunes

There are lots of iTunes remote control applications, but none as robust, streamlined, and well-designed as MenuTunes from iThink Software. With a single pull-down menu nestled in your top right utility bar, MenuTunes offers complete control over iTunes. You can engage all the typical controls you'd expect, including play/pause, forward, and backward, but MenuTunes also displays which tracks iTunes will play next (even in shuffle mode), the ability to quickly switch playlists, and complete info on the currently playing track.

But if clicking a menu icon isn't your flavor, and you'd rather keep your hands on the keyboard, MenuTunes comes with a hotkey control panel where you can assign keyboard triggers for a myriad of actions; including setting the "star" rating of the currently playing track, upcoming songs, track info, and of course, play, pause, forward and back.

Whichever access method you choose, MenuTunes also (optionally) displays a semi-transparent floating window - MTV video style - with whatever track information you wish to see.

MenuTunes sells for $9.99, but is free to use for seven days so you can give it a try.

Update: Several readers pointed me in the direction of Synergy, which has grown much more robust since the last time I tried it, and is now just as good (if not better) than MenuTunes.