A quick look at iTunes 8 reveals some nice new features. The grid view lets you look at your music by album cover, which is more visually appealing than the plain text view. For me, it also makes it easier to arrange my music. And speaking of arranging music, the best new feature of iTunes will arrange your music for you. Yes, you just choose a song from your collection and the the new “iTunes Genius” will create a playlist of other similar songs that you have on your computer. This is similar to the way that Pandora, an Internet radio station that suggests and plays songs you might like based on the type of music that you tell it you like.

To use the Genius you must give Apple permission to keep a list of your music. They say this is not linked to your iTunes ID and is only used for the Genius application. Genius also has a toolbar which can suggest new music that you may like.

All-in-all, this is a useful and welcome addition. Another welcome addition is that iTunes is welcoming back NBC television shows and that those shows and others will now be available in HD. Check out the free episodes that you can download by using the link below. I’ll do the same and let you know what I think.

Apple iTunes

Just as an aside. Apple already has a Genius bar in their Apple store. Why couldn’t they think of another name for their “Genius” iTunes feature. I guess they haven’t hired enough geniuses to handle thinking up new name!