Apple has introduced 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 easier for users to find what they’re searching for; the ability to organize 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 catalog of over two million songs, making it the largest online music catalog 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.”

Tunes 5’s new Search Bar helps users find what they are looking for within the catalog of two 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 organize 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.

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/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.