iTunes 10 is available later today, sporting several new features that change how you browse and discover content. This update also comes with a brand new icon, as Apple felt that the CD was outdated and that we as a whole are moving to digital downloads.
Apple has looked more at how screen real estate will be used, and how it can be optimized. With that in mind, the company has decided is that in list view, if there are five or more songs in a row with the same album, then the album art will be shown instead of the repeated text of the album title.
Coming with the new update is Apple's new social network, Ping. Ping is designed to help users find new music, concerts, and connect with friends. This will work much like a hybrid of Facebook and Twitter. You will be able to follow your friends and artists, and they will be able to post images, videos, posts, and show recent activity. Naturally, you will have to setup up a profile associated with your iTunes account to use this feature.
On an artist's page you will be able to see their favorite songs, posts they have made, as well as their next concerts. There will also be a "Follow" button so you can get all of their updates right on your main page.
For your friends, Ping will show their recent songs, posts, concerts they are going to, and people they are following. Privacy however has not been overlooked as you have the option to make all content available to everyone, or you can keep it in a close circle of friends. When viewing profiles and feeds, videos and photos, or photo galleries are able to be accessed right from that page.
Ping will has over 17,000 concert listings, you will get custom song and album charts based on your friends, and you can post your thoughts and opinions. Ping will also be available on the iPhone and iPod Touch. In the iTunes store on the mobile devices, there will be a "Ping" button.
iTunes 10 is available today, right here, to 160 million iTunes users in 23 countries.
Image source: apple.com
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