Get the Lowest Prices anywhere on Macs, iPads and Apple Watches: Apple Price Guides updated November 19th
 

RSS
 
–
A
+

Faster iTunes 8.1 with new import and Genius features due soon

By Slash Lane
Wednesday, March 11, 2009, 10:00 am PT (01:00 pm ET)

Apple sometime later today or this week will make available for download a speedier version of its iTunes media software that will extend the company's Genius feature to more media types and support direct CD imports to iTunes Plus format.

The iTunes 8.1 update was listed among the requirements for a new pair of aluminum iPod shuffles introduced earlier in the day and is now prominently listed as "coming soon" on Apple's iTunes page under the heading "Faster. Smarter. More entertaining."

iTunes Plus import

More specifically, Apple says a new importing feature will let users import songs from music CDs as higher quality, 256-Kbps iTunes Plus files (see how).

"If your songs already exist in digital form on your computer, just drag them into your iTunes library," Apple says. "iTunes also converts unprotected WMA files on your Windows computer to AAC files."

Genius Sidebar additions

Meanwhile, Apple's Genius recommendation engine for music tracks is being expanded to movies and TV shows. When a user selects a song, movie, or show in an iTunes 8.1 library, the Genius sidebar on the right-hand side of the screen will offer recommendations for similar content from the iTunes Store, which can then be purchased directly from within iTunes.

itunes 8.1


Speed Improvements

Another major push behind iTunes 8.1 is to improve the overall speed of the application when performing various tasks. Apple says the new version will respond faster than previous versions when loading large libraries, browsing the iTunes Store, and syncing your devices.

itunes 8.1


Other changes

Apple also lists a couple other features as "new" on its iTunes features page, such as more refined parental controls and autofill options. However, there isn't enough information at present to tell what those specific new features are since Parental Controls and Autofill both have existed in previous versions of iTunes.
Topics:
(64) Comments
 

Unbeatable Deals from AppleInsider & Apple's Top Authorized Resellers

$100 to $150 off Apple's brand-new 2018 MacBook Air

SAVE $150.00 - $100 to $150 off Apple's brand-new 2018 MacBook Air

Up to $350 off every 2018 15

SAVE $350.00 - Up to $350 off every 2018 15" MacBook Pro with no tax in 48 states & 0% financing

Apple's 2017 13

SAVE $400.00 - Apple's 2017 13" MacBook Pro with Touch Bar on sale for $1,399

$25-$150 off every new 2018 13

SAVE $150.00 - $25-$150 off every new 2018 13" MacBook Pro with Touch Bar with free shipping & no tax outside NY & NJ

Up to $925 off 2017 15

SAVE $925.00 - Up to $925 off 2017 15" MacBook Pros with no tax collected outside NY & NJ

2017 15

SAVE $1200.00 - 2017 15" MacBook Pros as low as $1,899 with free shipping