This lightweight service gives a way to access iTunes database from virtually any networked device without having to deal with the proprietary DAAP protocol. Particullary you can sync your Android with the iTunes collection of tracks. Technically this web service launched under Mac OS Xprovides simple REST protocol to list and download iTunes playlists and tracks from that iMac, MacBook, MacAir or Mac Mini. We did not re-engineering native DAAP protocol to avoid license issues and its changes. Neither we parsed the XML database files. Instead iLcatraz runs AppleScript against running instance of iTunes and it looks nothing but ordinal client using completely legal protocol accessing iTunes. Besides legality we are sure the playlists and tracks are presented in the very same way as they would by iTunes itself.

Having these benefits causes few significant drawbacks: iTunes always sits in the memory Requests are noticeable slow Requests that return too long, above 300 items, playlist may long forever Parallel requests may hang the service Keep these issues in mind and do not try to use iLcatraz in the environment it does not fit to.