Genius Feature for TV and Movies Pulled From iTunes 8.1

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/12/genius-feature-for-tv-and-movies-pulled-from-itunes-8-1/)

Several MacRumors readers have pointed out that the extension of the iTunes "Genius" feature to include movies and TV shows does not appear to be present in iTunes 8.1. The feature was advertised (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/11/itunes-8-1-coming-soon-speed-boosts-tv-movie-genius-feature-and-more/) on Apple's site prior to the release of iTunes 8.1 and is still mentioned in the release notes (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/11/itunes-8-1-now-available-for-download/) that accompany the download.

References to the updated Genius feature have been removed from the "iTunes A to Z" features page (http://www.apple.com/itunes/features/), and Apple has revised their "What's New" page (http://www.apple.com/itunes/whatsnew/), replacing the Genius section with details on the extension of Autofill to all iPods.

http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/03/12/113221-itunes81_revised_500.png

The reason for the removal of the feature remains unknown, although it certainly appears that it was a last-minute decision.

Article Link: Genius Feature for TV and Movies Pulled From iTunes 8.1 (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/12/genius-feature-for-tv-and-movies-pulled-from-itunes-8-1/)

[GeekLawyer]

I demand a refund!

Oh, wait... ;)

[BTW]

Genius! :eek:

I wasn't going to use that feature anyway since I don't buy any videos through iTunes. It isn't for me.

If Apple would add a Netflix section that would be great. ;)

[Sky Blue]

boo! Was looking forward to that... oh, well.

[Data]

The reason probably is that it did not work ;-).

[Sky Blue]

The reason probably is that it did not work ;-).

That never stopped them before!

[Sijmen]

Apple did something unusual by pre-announcing iTunes 8.1. And now they show why it's better not to.

[TheSpaz]

I wasn't planning on using that feature.

[longofest]

last minute pull, or more likely a miscommunication between PR and development groups. PR probably got an old copy of the feature list and published that on the website, but during testing (maybe as long as a week or two ago), the feature got pulled and the change was just never pushed up to PR.

I doubt the pull was made between yesterday morning and last night. No way the software could have been regression tested to ensure that pulling the feature didn't introduce any other issues.

[bdkennedy1]

I also have not seen the feature that was listed where version 8.1 will allow autofill on any iPod just like it does for the Shuffle.

[mogzieee]

Oh dear... what am I going to do without a genius TV shows and Movies sidebar...

I might just have to downgrade.

:p

[DivineEvil]

Sorry for the offtopic, but is it me or the Windows version of iTunes 8.1 is way better in video playback than 8.0.x? The sluggishness is significantly less and it's seems to perform like a real media player... (only the various video file types support is missing :D)?

[khannemann]

One more reason why they need Steve or his clone at the helm . . .

[SFStateStudent]

Yeah, if it doesn't work = pull it....:eek:

[baslotto]

NO WAY! I was gonna start using the Genius feature from tomorrow... oh well.. :D

[Xtremespirit319]

Well that explains yesterdays delay....

[TuffLuffJimmy]

has anyone tried setting their clocks forward a few weeks to see if the new features are something that is supposed to be unlocked like with other updates?

[Tilpots]

They pulled it cause the new Genius feature was supposed to happen only with the AppleTV update. ;)

[badcrumble]

My guess is that the Genius stuff is in the code but the iPod/iPhone firmwares for those models that can create Genius playlists wasn't ready yet, and it'd look stupid to leave that so asymmetrical.

[ux4all]

Well that explains yesterdays delay....

And based on what we have read of Apple's development culture they probably did pull it one day before launch. This required a monster regression and UAT exercise (all hands on deck).

Someone rumored that 'stops like this are typically legal in nature'. I wonder if there is a patent specifically on what Genius does already in existence, so they pulled it to avoid legalities?

[TheSpaz]

Remember when they pulled push? Sounds like the same thing. Broken promises. Over-announce, under-deliver.... seems to be their method lately.

[nagromme]

I don't think I'll miss it.

Maybe it was pulled because too few users have enough videos/movies in their library to base good recommendations on anyway? Movie recommendations might be a nice "one more way" to browse the rentals, but I've got so few movies in my library anyway (I rent, not buy). I don't think I'd get good recommendations.

[voodoofish]

after install itunes 8.1 i noticed on the itunes store under TV Programmes (what TV Shows are called on the UK store) you could rate different TV seasons out of 5 stars - seemingly regardless of whether you have bought them or not. maybe this is part of the genius feature? i know music genius is based on how often people play different songs, but people tend to repeat listen to music far more than watch tv shows so maybe that is why the TV genius feature is different? or maybe the rating of tv programmes is completely unrelated?

EDIT: oh i see they let you do this for albums as well so it's probably a completely unrelated feature, sorry!

[tiguk]

I do love :apple: products, but this sort of farce really annoys me. It's not so much the pulling of a promised feature (again), but the complete lack of honesty and explanation to their customer base.

What's the harm in letting everyone know what's going on, and when it'll be rectified? They would have a lot fewer complaints if they let everyone know the score.

[joseph2166]

My guess is that the Genius stuff is in the code but the iPod/iPhone firmwares for those models that can create Genius playlists wasn't ready yet, and it'd look stupid to leave that so asymmetrical.

Why does everyone seem to think 'Genius for TV shows' means Genius PLAYLISTS - surely it means genius sidebar for the store? If that's the case, they'd not put it on the iPhone unless they were introducing tv purchases on the device.

[gkarris]

Tivo Patent?

(Tivo already has a "here's what you might like" feature for movies and shows)

[reubs]

I thought from the first mention of it that it sounded like a ridiculous feature to have. Genius works very well for music b/c there's so much of it out there but to make it available for movies and TV shows? That just sounds silly.

[Kar98]

I also have not seen the feature that was listed where version 8.1 will allow autofill on any iPod just like it does for the Shuffle.

Blah. Create a smart playlist, size it right for your iPod, and sync with that list only. Delete content of same playlist and it will be refilled again. There, auto fill.

[JoolsG4]

Since the Genius feature works by connecting to Apple's servers, maybe the feature is actually in iTunes 8.1 but hidden because the server-side of things isn't ready.

Maybe once the server side is ready, it will appear in iTunes?

[Kar98]

(Tivo already has a "here's what you might like" feature for movies and shows)

So does Netflix.

[BRLawyer]

I wasn't planning on using that feature.

Me neither...and the genius algorithm for videos must be pretty useless anyway...all other features are waaaaaaaaay more interesting...GO APPLE!

[Saladinos]

The Ministry of Truth strikes again.

Then: http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/03/11/115736-itunes81_500.png
Now: http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/03/12/113221-itunes81_revised_500.png

[/dev/toaster]

Wow, ignore this post ... I didn't have enough coffee this morning. I thought they pulled the feaure for music, I was about to flip out.

[gkarris]

So does Netflix.

Yes, they could be paying Tivo the licensing for it. Plus, Netflix isn't on demand (well, I guess with streaming it is now). iTunes is on-demand but purchasing, as Tivo is recording...

It's all so complicated now... :eek:

[mattwolfmatt]

I also have not seen the feature that was listed where version 8.1 will allow autofill on any iPod just like it does for the Shuffle.

From the release info:

iTunes 8.1 is now faster and more responsive. You will enjoy noticeable improvements when working with large libraries, browsing the iTunes Store, preparing to sync with iPod or iPhone, and optimizing photos for syncing.

In addition, iTunes 8.1 provides many other improvements and bug fixes, including:

- Provides AutoFill for manually managed iPods

[Chedam]

The previous Genius features haven't worked on my MacBook for weeks. It's unfortunate, because I use it to create playlists of various genres.

Perhaps, as previously suggested, the server side isn't functional yet? It seems to me that none of it is functional. =P

EDIT - Seems it's working again. I'm out of ideas. :confused:

[rrijkers]

Who is gonna check movies with genius :/

[Master Chief]

The Ministry of Truth strikes again.

Then: http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/03/11/115736-itunes81_500.png
Now: http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/03/12/113221-itunes81_revised_500.png

Wasn't that just a logical change? I mean adding "Better." to "Faster. Smarter." wasn't a smart thing to do in the first place - the first two words already made it clear that it was a better product. After all it's good marketing that counts!

Note: Remember Arnold's "I'll be back"? Yep, this feature will return!

[madog]

Note: Remember Arnold's "I'll be back"? Yep, this feature will return!

Yeah, six months from now when nobody cares...... just like when Arnold came back...

[synth3tik]

I think the iTunes Genius is over rated anyway. I mean it works, that's about all. I think if anything it the genius that people should be least worried about.

[Phil Coates]

My itunes does have Genius for TV Shows and Films.... BUT it crashes ever time it trys to show me its info :-(

AND ring tones still dont work!

COME ON APPLE.

[twoodcc]

aw man. oh well, maybe in 8.2?

[Sky Blue]

I mean it works, that's about all.

Isn't that what you'd want in a feature?

[natasha69]

And based on what we have read of Apple's development culture they probably did pull it one day before launch. This required a monster regression and UAT exercise (all hands on deck).

Someone rumored that 'stops like this are typically legal in nature'. I wonder if there is a patent specifically on what Genius does already in existence, so they pulled it to avoid legalities?

genius tv shows sounds a lot like TiVo recommendations. TiVo is a patent powerhouse. Lets start the rumour about AAPL buying TIVO.

[Jeffrosproto]

It seems that apple is getting sloppy without Steve at the wheel.

Oh well, I wasn't really looking forward to Genius anyways.

[plazman30]

I can see it now. NBC is sitting is a board room going, "What do you mean?! They're watching 'The Office' and it's recommending 3 shows from ABC and one from FOX! Someone call Apple NOW!!!"

[PCMacUser]

It seems that apple is getting sloppy without Steve at the wheel.

If that's all it takes, then I would have fears for anyone purchasing any Apple product.

[BJWanlund]

Macworld (http://www.macworld.com/article/139367/2009/03/genius_video.html?lsrc=rss_main), once again, is the lone voice of reason:

We put in a call to Apple to see if they could tell us what happened to the missing feature and reached Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr, who told Macworld, "The feature isn't live yet, but it will be in the coming days."

Apparently the server side wasn't fully ready, and Apple has really tried to bring out stuff that actually worked on the server side since the abominable Mobile Me launch.

BJ

[pooryou]

The concept is silly for movies and tv anyway so it's just as well they pulled it.
How many people keep enough videos in iTunes for that to be effective anyway.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

The concept is silly for movies and tv anyway so it's just as well they pulled it.
How many people keep enough videos in iTunes for that to be effective anyway.

It's the genius sidebar. It doesn't make genius playlists :rolleyes:

[RonCarr]

That never stopped them before!

Oh this made me laugh :)

[GottaLoveApple4]

I have proof its coming now and was not actually pulled. I'm glad to see it is still there. I was looking forward to this feature and it is good to see that Apple is trying to make sure everything works lately to avoid problems!!

[Max E Verde]

I have proof its coming now and was not actually pulled. I'm glad to see it is still there. I was looking forward to this feature and it is good to see that Apple is trying to make sure everything works lately to avoid problems!!


damn, beat me to it. Seeing the same thing

[Kevenly]

I actually detest "genius" and I wish they'd either get rid of it entirely or bury it somewhere hard to find. I miss the buttons that were actually useful to me at the bottom right, such as for the visualizer. Genius just seems to be an invasive profit-motived addition, just like all the annoying music store links (thankfully removed via Tinkertool).

[Becordial]

I actually detest "genius" and I wish they'd either get rid of it entirely or bury it somewhere hard to find. I miss the buttons that were actually useful to me at the bottom right, such as for the visualizer. Genius just seems to be an invasive profit-motived addition, just like all the annoying music store links (thankfully removed via Tinkertool).


I agree with this too. It's profit led. Still, a robust helpful indicator of like music has some underlying appeal.

What I'd more like is if Itunes start taking all video seriously so you can rip video (any format you like) as easily as it is any other apps. The way Itunes is now, its still feeling pretty incomplete in a number of areas.