Apple Announces iTunes 9 [iTunes 9 Intros LP Functionality, Improved Syncing & Enhanced Navigation]

The latest version of Apple’s media syncing software, iTunes 9 was announced today, with a whole new look and a new album-enriching iTunes LP functionality.

The iTunes LP was originally revealed under the codename “Cocktail” and is a new product designed to incentivize the purchase of full albums rather than individual singles. Reported to be a collaboration between Apple, Sony, EMI, Warner and Universal, the albums (available as ‘Deluxe Version’ albums in iTunes) will contain bonus material such as art, videos and additional recording.

Another functionality is Genius Mixing, which will take songs that “go well together” from your library and will create playlists with them. The new version will also offer improved syncing and sharing capabilities. It will allow you to stream music from other computers to your Mac and also to copy movies and other media from up to five other computers.

Also, a replica of the app management interface of the iPod and iPhone is available in iTunes to help arrange the apps which can be dragged and dropped to automatically sync with the mobile device.

iTunes 9 also features better store navigation, full window iTunes store and previews from anywhere in the store. It is now also possible to send items as gifts from iTunes Store and publish them on Facebook and Twitter. Overall, it should have a new, much cleaner layout.

iTunes 9 is already available for download at http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/