New iTunes a Lot Like Old iTunes

Wondering if you should download iTunes 9, the latest big overhaul of Apple’s megapopular music manager? “Overall, I can’t think of a reason not to upgrade,” concludes Nick Mediati of PC World, who tried out the latest version, which includes features like Home Sharing and Genius Mixing. But iTunes “still needs something of an overhaul.”

Home sharing, which gives users access to music on other computers in their own networks, is a welcome but limited addition: It doesn’t allow sharing between other users or networks. Genius Mixes, a kind of radio station of your own music, are nice, but you can’t see which song is coming up. The redesigned store is “a big improvement,” but the player itself takes a few minor steps back, with various controls hidden. (More iTunes stories.)