Apple released iTunes 8 with Genius in September, and yet I hadn't gotten around to updating my software until this past weekend. It's true, Genius is like having your own personal DJ, but I'm not totally convinced the moniker for this new feature is accurate. Select a song from your personal iTunes library, click on the gamma ray at the bottom of the screen, and Genius immediately generates a fresh playlist of compatible music from within your own library.

To test the Genius, I selected "Clocks" by Cold Play. I wasn't entirely surprised by the playlist it generated: "Lady" by Lenny Kravitz, "1979" by the Smashing Pumpkins and "Hear You Me" by Jimmy Eat World (a song I haven't listened to since my sister's funeral last year). Genius playlists can be limited to 25 songs or expanded to 100, and the more songs you select, the deeper and more varied the playlists will be. Perhaps what's more interesting than what's generated from your own library are the recommendations the Genius Sidebar generates from the iTunes Store.

I generally listen to a lot of National Public Radio and podcasts, so I don't happen upon new music with the frequency I once did. Gone are the days when the radio's on 24/7. In fact, I can't remember the last time I purchased a CD or downloaded an entire album (if you exclude High School Musical 3 and the Jonas Brothers) because I'd discovered a new artist.

Select a song from your collection and The Genius Sidebar will highlight the most popular songs in the iTunes Store by the same artist, identify where the song you selected can be found in iTunes Essentials, and make recommendations for music that is similar or will compliment your selection. To test the Sidebar I selected "Sleep to Dream" by Fiona Apple and once again, wasn't really surprised to see Veruca Salt, Hole, and Ani Difranco on the list it generated. I suspect a true musical genius could do better.

I'm waiting for the day when iTunes can make recommendations on TV shows, movies and podcasts I might like. I know there are great TV shows I might like as much as Mad Men. Once I'm through watching Season 2, I'll be looking for a new show to obsess over. So, my genius readers, do you have any suggestions?