AWTRIX iTunes

iTunes Now Playing

Shows the song playing in Apple Music (formerly iTunes) on your Mac. You get the 16×16 album artwork, the title and artist on two scrolling lines, and a progress bar along the bottom. It's built for the Ulanzi TC002 (52×16).

Apple Music has no web API for what's playing on your Mac, so the clock can't fetch it directly the way the Spotify apps do. A small Python helper runs on the Mac, asks the Music app what's playing, and answers the clock over your local network.

Helper and full instructions: https://github.com/mojeska/awtrix-itunes

Requirements

• An AWTRIX NG clock with a 52×16 display (Ulanzi TC002)
• A Mac with the Music app (macOS 10.15 or later) on the same network as the clock
• Python 3 on the Mac (nothing else to install)

Setup

1. On the Mac, download and install the helper:
   curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mojeska/awtrix-itunes/main/itunes-helper.py
   python3 itunes-helper.py --install
   This starts the helper now and at every login. Allow both macOS prompts: python3 wants to control Music, and accept incoming network connections.
2. Check it while a song plays: curl http://localhost:8765/now
3. Find the Mac's IP address with ipconfig getifaddr en0. A DHCP reservation in your router keeps it from changing.
4. Install this app, then open its settings and enter the Mac's address under Mac address.
5. Drag the app into your rotation on the Apps tab.

Settings: helper port and optional key, how often to check, whether to hide or grey out the app when paused, artwork and progress bar on or off, jump to the app when a new song starts, colours, and scroll speed.

Notes

• The helper never opens Music. When Music is closed or paused, or the Mac is asleep, the app leaves the rotation (unless When paused is set to show).
• The helper only answers two read-only requests on your LAN, for what's playing and the album art. It can't control playback. Anyone on your network can see what you're listening to, so start it with --key if that matters to you, and don't forward its port to the internet.
• To remove it: python3 itunes-helper.py --uninstall

Disclaimer
This software is provided as is, without warranty of any kind, express or implied. You use it at your own risk. The author accepts no liability for any damage, data loss or other problems arising from its use. It is an independent project, not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple, Ulanzi or the AWTRIX project. Released under the MIT License.