Exciting new features have been added to the newest adaptation of ITunes, version 8.0. Most notably, the upgrade includes the ITunes “Genius” function.

The Genius is an automated DJ that, once activated, can build genre-based playlists based on the music in your library. The Genius generates suggestions of songs that will compliment the current song to which you are listening. If activated on your IPod, the Genius generates a smart playlist based upon your IPod library.

To use Genius, select a track in your library and click the "Genius" button at the bottom right corner of the iTunes interface. Once you are viewing a playlist, buttons on the top right of the iTunes interface let you refresh that playlist with a new batch of songs, save that playlist for good, or adjust the number of songs in your list. On the IPod, access the Genius function from within the playlist feature.

However, the Genius system does not recognize obscure tracks (songs not offered on ITunes) nor will it recognize mislabeled ID3 tags. The Genius may take some time on its initial run, depending on the size of your ITunes library.

Lastly, you must have an ITunes account to access the Genius.