Itunes 8 Review: Fastest Itunes To Date

Aside from the 2G iPod Touch, 4G Nano and firmware 2.1, Apple has also recently launched iTunes 8. I’ve already upgraded to this latest version and I’m quite happy with it. Coupled with some new features and some major performance improvements, this iTunes is, by far, one of the best iTunes version I have used.

Let’s start things off with the most popular addition to iTunes, the Genius feature. This new function basically determines which songs go best together in your music collection and adds them in a Genius playlist. Activating, though, would require you to log-in to the iTunes Store because part of its function is to also recommend available related tracks in the store that you may want to purchase and download. Recommended songs and albums will be displayed in the Genius sidebar.

The most time-consuming part is when iTunes sends your music library information to Apple’s online server. However, after that, building a Genius playlist is as easy as playing a song and clicking the Genius button. As good as it works, it’s not perfect. Music tracks that are not found in the iTunes online database will result in a message informing you that Genius is unavailable for the selected song. Those who don’t find this feature necessary can simply turn off Genius.

The next major addition to iTunes 8 is the album art grid view. Of course, those who don’t bother to update the album art of their music collection will find this feature useless, but it is definitely a nice option to have especially if you’ve got a massive album art collection to match your music library.

Then there’s the new set of visualizations. While it is indeed more stunning than the classic iTunes visualization graphics, it still lacks the option to select which visualization to use for a particular track. iTunes still has the sole authority to select and partner which visualization it deems appropriate for the currently playing song.

The iTunes store now also gives you the privilege to download HD versions of TV shows for just $2.99, but of course, that is if your willing to pay the amount. If ever you do find the price reasonable, you’ll also get an iPod-ready version of the HD-quality TV show you’re purchasing.

Last, but not the least, my most appreciated improvement in iTunes 8 is that it loads much faster and syncs better with my iPod Touch. I have used iTunes 7.xx and its later version and so far, this is the fastest loading and best performing iTunes I’ve encountered to date.

Despite the fact that it currently prevents you from jailbreaking your iPod Touch, the added convenience and ease of use iTunes 8 has doesn’t make me miss jailbreaking that much. Besides, there’s already an iPod Touch 2.1 jailbreak out now which apparently works on iTunes 8 and is a positive indication that things are progressing on the jailbreak end of things.