Apple introduced the newest version of iTunes today in version 9. It has a number of new features including:
– iTunes LP
– Home SHaring
– Genius Mixes
– Redesigned Store
– Improved Syncing
“iTunes 9 is a great iTunes release, with innovative features that make using iTunes better than ever and iTunes content richer than ever,” said Apple CEO Steve Jobs in his first appearance since his leave of absence. “iTunes LP, for example, lets artists share more of their creativity with fans and gives music lovers the feeling of being immersed in an entire album with art, lyrics, liner notes, photos and videos.”
Home Sharing lets users easily transfer music, movies and TV shows among up to five authorized computers on their home networks. So different family members can view up to five iTunes libraries on their home network, and see only the portion of the libraries they don’t already have, then import the content they want into their own libraries. They can also automatically add new purchases from other computers into their library.
The Genius Mixes are created using the results of over 27 million music libraries with over 54 billion songs that have been submitted and analyzed by Genius. “The new Genius Mixes feature is like having a ‘Genius’ DJ that automatically generates up to 12 endless mixes of songs from your iTunes library that go great together,” says Apple.
With improved syncing in iTunes 9, as well as iPhone OS 3.1, users can organize their iPhone apps right in iTunes and they will automatically appear on their iPhone with the same layout.
