Apple has announced the launch of iTunes 8.0, a new version of its media-management software, which now has support for high definition video.

The announcement was made by Steve Jobs speaking in California, in front of the usual whooping crowd of enthusiastic Apple fans.

The new software includes a 'Genius' feature, which allows you to create intelligent playlists based on automatic recommendations, similar to Pandora.com or Last.fm.

Many in the industry had predicted that the main announcement at the Apple press event, which was streamed live to several locations all over the world, would be iTunes 8.0.

The invitations to the event had iTunes-related imagery and were titled 'Let's Rock!'.

Also announced by Jobs was a new, fourth-generation iPod Nano.

The new model is thinner than the previous version and includes a shuffle feature operated by simply shaking the device.

iTunes 7.0 was launched back in September 2006, and has seen several incremental updates, some of which were to support new products such as the iPhone.

O2 is launching a pay-as-you-go iPhone in the UK for the first time from next Tuesday, 16 September.

www.apple.com/uk

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