Apple Introduces iTunes 5

Apple today announced iTunes 5, bringing new features and a refined look to the world's most popular digital music jukebox and online music store. iTunes 5 includes a new Search Bar to make it even easier for users to find what they're searching for; the ability to organise playlists into folders; Smart Shuffle, which lets the user change the “randomness” of shuffled songs; and the ability for Windows users to automatically sync contacts and calendars from Outlook onto their iPods. The iTunes Music Store has also added parental controls and album reviews, and now features a catalogue of over 1.7 million songs, making it the largest online music catalogue in the world.

“iTunes is widely regarded as the best jukebox, with the world's most popular online music store built right in”, said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. “We are constantly improving iTunes with new features like Podcasting and better searching because we love music ourselves and want to surprise and delight music fans around the world”.

iTunes 5's new Search Bar helps users find exactly what they are looking for within the catalogue of 1.7 million songs, 15,000 Podcasts and 10,000 audiobooks on the iTunes Music Store, plus everything in their own iTunes music library. iTunes and the iTunes Music Store have a new refined look, as well as parental controls allowing parents to determine which music and Podcasts their children can access on the iTunes Music Store. Users can now do even more with playlists, including the ability to organise them into folders and have greater control over random playback with the new Smart Shuffle feature. Windows iPod users can now use iTunes to automatically sync calendars with Outlook or contacts with Outlook or Outlook Express.

The iTunes Music Store now features over 1,000 album reviews from Apple's team of music experts. The reviews cover some of the best albums over the past 50 years, including current hits from Coldplay, Kanye West and Yo-Yo Ma, as well as classic artists such as Pink Floyd, Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra.

With Apple's legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as integrated Podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod and groundbreaking personal use rights, the iTunes Music Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music online. The iTunes Music Store features more than 1.7 million songs from the major music companies and over 1,000 independent record labels, 10,000 audiobooks, gift certificates and exclusive music not found anywhere else online.

Pricing & Availability
iTunes 5 for Mac and Windows includes the iTunes Music Store and is available as a free download immediately from www.apple.com/uk/itunes/. Purchase and download of songs from the iTunes Music Store for Mac or Windows requires a valid credit card with a billing address in the country of purchase.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, Mac OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.

Press Contacts:
Apple UK and Ireland Public Relations
Email: media.uk@apple.com
Phone: (020) 8218 1440