Following the release of the new iPod shuffle, it appears iTunes 8.1 is on its way. It’s not going to be a big release, but as with the new desktop line, there will be a few small changes to enhance the application further. iTunes 8.1 will respond quicker when syncing your iPod/iPhone, loading large libraries and when you’re browsing the iTunes Store.

iTunes is up to version 8.0.1. The update addresses bug fixes, mainly focused on Genius and VoiceOver for the iPod nano. Apple provides all the details of what this update does right along with the package. iTunes 8.0.1 improves stability and performance and provides a number of important bug fixes, including: Seamlessly plays the current more »

The announcement of the iTunes 8 Genius feature at Apple’s Let’s Rock event has been greeted generally favorably, even if Beatles fans can’t be told that pretty much every single band ever to follow borrowed at least some portion of their sound from them. But, did you know that Microsoft has a competing feature for their Zune thing? Did you know they were even still making that Zune thing? Well, apparently they are, and Jesus Diaz over at Gizmodo says it’s better than Genius.

A number of Windows Vista users are having problems with iTunes 8, causing the operating system to display a “Blue Screen of Death” when an iPod/iPhone is connected for syncing. Apple yesterday released a technical note suggesting that Windows Vista users should uninstall Apple Mobile Device Support, then restart their computer, and finally re-install iTunes 8. At the time of writing, it’s unknown what the exact error within Apple Mobile Device Support was causing the BSOD.

Wondering how to turn off the “arrows” and “Genre” listings in iTunes 8? Annoyed that Apple has taken the options away? Never fear, a quick cut ‘n’ paste in the Terminal app is all you need.

Details after the break.

AppleInsider takes Apple to task for offering highly-compressed (though still High Definition) HD video through the iTunes Store:

A standard 720p file downloaded either through iTunes or an Apple TV consumes about 4Mbps of data, or just a tenth the total bit transfer rate of the optical format and a fifth of the nearly 20Mbps for over-the-air HDTV; even Xbox Video Marketplace video affords more, at 6.8Mbps.

So don’t throw that Blu-Ray player out the window just yet.

But there’s also some good news…

In a recent article on his personal blog, Adam Fisher-Cox has details on how he thinks (and now how I think) the new Grid View in iTunes 8 should work. I personally have had issues with the Grid View (details in my review of iTunes 8), and this has the potential to be the perfect fix for those issues. Take note, Steve Jobs, as this may be a great idea for you to take in to consideration for iTunes 8.1.

Read on for more thoughts on the fix.

Are you someone who travels a lot? Well, crossing the border and making a purchase in the U.S. version of the iTunes Music Store is now a breach of the Terms of Service.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (motto: “Not the Other Kind”) draws our attention to a new section in the American version of the ITMS TOS.

Check it out after the break.

It’s finally here. The latest installment of the app that changed the way we listened to music has officially been announced. At Apple’s Let’s Rock event, the first item on the docket was this new piece of software. With new features such as Genius and HD TV Shows, many changes have been made to the system. Some of them are great, some of them are OK, and some of them just plain suck.

Read on for my review of iTunes 8.

Music websites Pandora and Last.fm, both of which expose users to new artists and music based on their listening choices, have praised the new iTunes 8 Genius feature.

More after the break.