Apple Releases iTunes 9.0.2 With New iPhone Features

Several new features and refinements have come to iTunes 9.0.2, now available from Apple as a free download. iPhone users will find improvements in app sorting and media syncing. Users can add or delete home screens and arrange apps directly in iTunes.

Apps purchased on your computer or iPhone will sync automatically. iTunes 9.0.2 will also provide options for syncing individual artists, genres, podcasts or television shows.

If your iPhone is jailbroken and/or unlocked, iTunes 9.0.2 will not interfere. However, users syncing to iTunes with a Palm Pre will find that Apple has disabled this functionality (again).

Apple lists the following as significant changes to the iTunes experience:

- iTunes 9.0.2 adds support for Apple TV software version 3.0, adds an option for a dark background for Grid View, and improves support for accessibility.

- An improved look and feel, including a new Column Browser for easily browsing your artists or albums, movies, TV shows, and more.

- iTunes Store has a brand new look, with improved navigation for quick and easy exploration.

- iTunes LP and iTunes Extras create unique experiences that feature exclusive interviews, videos, photos, and more - available with select album and movie purchases on the iTunes Store.

- Home Sharing helps you manage your family's iTunes collection between computers in your home. iTunes can automatically transfer new purchases, or you can choose just the items you want.

- Genius Mixes are created for you by iTunes and play songs from your library that go great together.

- iPod and iPhone syncing now allows you to organize your iPhone and iPod touch home screens directly in iTunes. Syncing is now also more flexible, allowing you to sync individual artists, genres, or TV show and Podcast episodes.

- iTunes U items are now organized into their own section in your iTunes library.

- Sync with iPod nano (5th generation), iPod classic (Fall 2009), and iPod touch (Fall 2009).

- iTunes 9 also includes many other improvements, such as HE-AAC encoding and playback, more flexibility with Smart Playlists rules, simpler organization of your media files inside an iTunes Media folder, and more.