Apple has unveiled the newest version of its iTunes media player tool.
Chief executive Steve Jobs said in a special event in San Francisco on Wednesday that iTunes 9 would put a greater emphasis on Apple's Genius analysis tool. Jobs outlined a new Genius Mix feature which analyzes a user's library and constructs up to twelve "channel" lists which continuously play similar songs from the library.
Also headlining the new version of iTunes would be a multimedia feature known as iTunes LP. With the new component, artists and publishers can bundle multimedia content such as photos, artwork and song lyrics into a digital album release.
While the new feature bears some resemblance to the menu and bonus material featured with many modern DVDs, Jobs said that the iTunes LP component traces its roots to the glory days of vinyl pressings.
"It was great because you not only got the music, but you got great photography, you got liner notes, and who could forget some of these classic albums?" Jobs said.
"Unfortunately most of that left us when we went to CDs, and even more when we went to digital music, and that should not be the case. We can deliver amazingly rich content digitally, and that's what we're doing with iTunes LP."
In addition to the new Genius features and iTunes LP, the update will sport a new layout for the iTunes store along with a new 'home sharing' feature which will allow users to share their libraries with up to five machines on a home network.
For users with an iPhone or iPod Touch, iTunes 9 will sport a new management interface which will allow users to not only add and remove Apps, but also adjust the order and presentation of App icons on the iPod or iPhone screen.
The company said that the iTunes 9 update would be available immediately as a free upgrade.