iTunes 8 coming at next week's Apple event?

The current iTunes visualizer could be replaced by a newer one. Trippy.

(Credit: Tom Krazit/CNET News)

Add another possibility to the list of possible announcements at Apple's iPod event next week: a new version of iTunes.

Digg's Kevin Rose, fresh off his prediction that Apple has a new iPod Nano design in store for next week, shares word from an unnamed source on Wednesday that Apple plans to introduce iTunes 8 at the same event. "iTunes 8 includes Genius, which makes playlists from songs in your library that go great together. Genius also includes Genius sidebar, which recommends music from the iTunes Store that you don't already have," Rose's tipster wrote.

I'm a little curious as to how that would actually work: by genre? By tempo? By finding like-minded artists?

Would your Biggie and Tupac songs be put together in a playlist because they are both rap tracks? Or would Biggie's songs be put together with your Velvet Underground tracks because they are both from New York? Do Britney and Christina go together? Or Pink Floyd and The Grateful Dead?

The use of the word "Genius" is also a little curious, given that Apple already uses that term to describe its army of customer service representatives at its retail stores. Still, such a feature would be convenient, even if it takes half the fun out of making mixes.

Rose also reports that iTunes 8 will allow you to view your library as a grid, download HD television shows from the iTunes Store, and "enjoy a stunning new music visualizer" that I'll guess was designed to go along with your new Pink Floyd/Grateful Dead playlist.

[Mr. Dee]

I wonder if they will change the musical note icon color again? Its been using the same color and style since version 7 I think.

[iertry]

That's because it still is currently version 7. They only tend to change things like that on major upgrades (6-7 7-8 etc) so it's a big possibility.

[stephengnb]

I used a trial version of a program called Muvee Reveal and it would analyze your photos and music, even figure out how many people were in the picture and it would make the BEST slideshow ever! Hardly any work needed.

Maybe Apple took this technology to iTunes.

[ralfthedog]

"People who purchased this artist also purchased that artist as well. " If they wanted to get extra smart, they could look at the playlists other users make. Let the humans do the thinking for you.

[birds08]

I think the new version has not more surprise on vision.

[Blackjack_Joe]

Apple may be planning on using the Music Genome Project. I use Pandora on my computer and on my iPhone to play music customized to my musical tastes. One sets up a personal radio station by specifying artists or even specific songs, and Pandora uses The Music Genome Project to play similar music. The algorithm is amazing.

[Frederikrooms]

I hope the visualizer doesn't take a lot power from my laptop. And I really hope they do something about the startupspeed and the worse playlistmanagement.

Why is it so difficult to build an superplayer? They have the ingredients, now add some pepper and salt, then MIX and you have a player that could go on for years!!

[cogwac]

nutsie (www.nutsie.com/sidetunes) already has a "Genius" sidebar called sideTunes that not only lists music recommendations, but actually plays them as part of the playlist.

[mrbean_jazz]

I don't want to leave a comment.

[drukenhard]

maybe it could analyse your unknown tracks and find the names and artwork for them?.......that would save me a heap of time with the copied files I have!

Might even have a ringtone maker built in so you don't have to use Garageband?

Who cares?

Rumors suck

[rkinne01]

Drunkenhard, there is a 3rd party app that does it called: TuneUp. Run a google search and you'll find it, its not perfect but does a pretty good job.

[Azzuro10]

For iTunes to move to the next level it would take more than modifying the software. Apple has to try and re-negotiate terms with the studios. A song costs $0.99 and a CD costs ~$10. If you buy an album on iTunes it will likely cost you >$10 (as they have at least 10 tracks in most instances). You are better off buying the CD because its cheaper (per song), better quality (CD quality versus MP3) and there is no DRM. If the studios are complaining about people only buying the song then there has to be an option to buy the entire album for like, $6 and give the customer the option of downloading the track at CD quality with the lyrics attached. The studio will make just as much money as selling the CD because it doesn't have to pay the wholesale margin and the retail margin - not to mention inventory recalls etc. Then you will see people buying more albums. Album sales are in decline because people only want a few songs from the album but you could stimulate sales for the album by offering a discount for buying the whole album on-line.

[barnesjon]

I am tired of itunes try out SongBird it's revolutionary. http://tinyurl.com/62mwp7 . It's also only 16.7mb.