In part of today’s announcements from Steve Jobs and Apple at the “It’s Only Rock and Roll” event, they’ve announced the latest version of iTunes - iTunes 9.

This new version (at first glance) most notably has a a new look to it, making navigation a little easier and get around (provided you aren’t too used to the old version). They’ve also added a way to preview from anywhere in the store instead of having to find the right place.

iTunes LP is something something new with iTunes version 9, bringing back some of the features we used to enjoy with LP’s that have been lost with online music, such as lyrics, notes, video, photos and apperently some other things that were not mentioned up front. Genius mixes are another enhanced feature in this new version, playing automatically generated …

By now everyone knows that the Palm Pre has iTunes support. But Pre’s identity to its host system when connected via USB has confirmed what was already suspected. The method that it uses to hook into iTunes is…questionable.

The Pre identifies itself as an iPod in Media Sync mode, but only on the system’s mass storage interface. The root USB node still comes through as a Palm Pre. Apple could, if they wanted to, easily block it. Would Apple do that? It would certainly help grow their user base to let it be.

If you thought you could count on Amazon keeping the price of their MP3s under the $1 price point after Apple introduced variable pricing to their tunes, think again. And disregard the comparison above. Sorry to dash your hopes and pour salt in your music-loving wounds, but Amazon has decided to go the same route.

They meet the $1.29 price point on iTunes, at least where tracks by popular artists are concerned. Walmart however, throws all caution to the wind and rolls back the price to $1.24 for selected titles. If you like songs that nobody else likes you’ll pay $0.79 and $0.64 on Amazon and Walmart.

Apple has warned iTunes users that variable pricing was coming to the iTunes store and that unwelcome feature has now landed. Engadget reports that many popular tracks are now selling for $1.29 per track rather than the $.99 we are used to for a single.

The increase isn’t that much in the realm of things, but the big issue is that other MP3 stores like Amazonmp3 are still selling the same tracks for $0.99. This may prove to be the shot in the arm iTunes competitors need to gain some customers.

This is a pretty neat application. It allows iPhone users to plant a virtual tree from their phone while simultaneously activating the planting of a real tree. Originally showcased at TED, the app is now available to the masses on iTunes.

The real trees are planted by the Conservation Fund, and they will begin with the restoration of a vulnerable wildlife habitat along the Gulf Coast. It’s sponsored by Ecolife Apparel, makers of cotton “green” underwear, and was developed by iPhactory.

I like going to the movies and typically when I go it’s a last minute thing while I am out running around with the wife and finding movie times is a priority. I have an app that I use frequently for finding show times that leaves a bit to be desired. Often it doesn’t list all the movies showing at my local theater and show times are wrong.

Fandango has a new application that promises more accuracy and allows you to buy tickets for the movie you want right on your phone. The app is available free on iTunes right now and offers movie times for 16,000 screens around the country. In addition to movie times, the app shows trailers for films and fan ratings for movies.

Teac has announced its first HD radio device, in the form of the TEAC HD-1. The iPod docking system comes equipped with HD Radio technology for a superior audio experience and compelling new content through HD Radio programming.

You can use the TEAC HD-1 with your iTunes collection via its iTunes Tagging capability. Some other features include a remote control, dual alarm clock with snooze button, five equalizer presets, and an iPod/iPhone charger. You can purchase the Teac HD-1 HD Radio at select Costco stores around the US for $129.99 each.

Rumors continue to swirl around whatever(if anything) Apple is building. Reports are that Apple has ordered 10-inch touchscreens from Taiwan. That part is looking more like fact. So the question is, will those screens end up in a netbook?

Andy Ihnatko of the Chicago Sun-Times has a slightly different and interesting theory about the device. He thinks it might be an ebook. Which makes more sense as the only real competitor they would have is Amazon.

Sound Blaster for iTunes from Creative Labs likes to party and aims to spread the music around. It will wirelessly stream your music to any room in your home where you have a Creative Wireless Receiver connected to speakers. It will also work with the new GigaWorks T20W speakers, which have the receiver built-in.

The Sound Blaster for iTunes transmitter plugs into your USB port and will fill your home with sound for $99. The Creative Wireless Receivers will run you $69.99. If you choose to use the GigaWorks T20Ws the price is $129.99. The Sound Blaster transmitter will be available this Spring.

Apple recently announced that it was doing away with it’s unfair DRM copy protection. Awesome news. Going one step further, the company is giving anyone who’s ever bought songs on iTunes the ability to upgrade their music to DRM-free versions. For a fee of course. There is a catch. As Wilson Rothman over at Gizmodo discovered, you have to upgrade all of them at once.

That really sucks, because if you’ve been at it for awhile just downloading away over the years, you have a problem. Costs can easily be in the hundreds of dollars. There is no way to upgrade your titles individually. Things like this are why some of us don’t use the service. They’re going to make you pay again for songs you already bought? Nice one Apple.

Iomega is taking the tradeshow road this week to unveil a new network storage solution for media files being showcased in the living room. It is called the Home Media Network Hard Drive and pricing starts around $160.

The Iomega Home Media Network Hard Drive, available in 500GB and 1TB storage sizes, is designed to act as both backup server and also media hub. It supports iTunes and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) certified devices, allowing it to save, store and stream audio, video and photos to a wide array of home consumer electronics.

Time to stuff some reader’s stockings with $20 worth of iTunes, which beats coal. Congratulations to the winners of our Energizer/Pandora iTunes giveaway, who are all listed below. It’s a win for me too, since I don’t have to actually climb down any chimneys and eat all of your cookies. Click through to see if you’ve been a good boy or girl this year.

Energizer has partnered with Pandora Radio to create a brand new message board that caters to passionate users of the Pandora community. Many of you are faithful users of Pandora, so I don’t need to tell you how awesome the popular internet radio site is. The new message board is a place where users can share tips on how they use Pandora as well as be a part of posts by up and coming artists and discussions on all kinds of musical subjects.

The message board just launched and since the subject here is music, Energizer, Pandora and Slipperybrick want to help stuff your stocking with some extra music. We’re giving away TEN $20 iTunes vouchers.

No one can deny that Apple’s iTunes store is seriously popular. The store is the single largest music retailer and has one of the largest collections of music available. The App store is wildly popular and the iTunes movie rental, sale, and TV show market is booming. It seems that Apple can’t do wrong with iTunes.

In fact, Apple has announced that it has now sold over 200 million TV show episodes via iTunes. Apple also says that over 1 million of those shows sold have been in HD resolution. Major networks all contribute programs to the iTunes store including FOX, CBS, ABC, and CBS.

Apple’s iTunes store is hands down the most popular place to buy music around. Many people have tons of tracks in iTunes and teh ability to listen to those tracks on a wide variety of mobile phones while on the move would be a great thing for most music fans.

Didiom has announced that its placeshifting application for iTunes is in beta. The application allows iTunes users to stream music from iTunes on their PC to a mobile phone wirelessly. The software works with both BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices.