Filed under: Audio, Software, How-tos, iTunes, iPhone, Music
iTunes 9 Genius Mixes: You don't need to be a genius to create 'em
I have to admit to an embarrassing situation Wednesday afternoon. While writing the iPhone OS 3.1 overview post, I got to the section about "Genius Mixes" and was totally boggled. I couldn't see any way to create them on the iPhone itself, and there was nothing I could see in iTunes 9 that would do the job. Fortunately, there are some fairly bright people here at TUAW, and after a couple of quick exchanges in iChat, I had Genius Mixes working. If you don't have access to a Mac and iPhone brain trust like I do, you might also have problems setting up Genius Mixes, so I'm here to give you the rundown on how to do this. Read on for the rest of the details.
Step 1: Install iTunes 9 and iPhone OS 3.1
If you haven't installed either of these updates yet, you'll need to before you'll be able to use Genius Mixes. You can download the iTunes 9 update here, and you'll need to plug your iPhone into your Mac or Windows PC with iTunes open to get the iPhone OS 3.1 update.
Step 2: Turn on or update Genius
This step depends on whether or not you've used the Genius feature before. I never did; my tastes in music are such that I don't need anyone making suggestions about what I should listen to. Under the Store menu in iTunes 9, select Turn On Genius (see below) to turn on the feature. If you've already used Genius in the past, just select Update Genius from the same menu.
Of course, that doesn't do anything when you select Turn On Genius. They want you to click one more button, as seen on the screen below:
This is actually quite an important screen, since it describes how to use the different features. Genius Mixes appear on the left sidebar once you've turned on or updated Genius.
You'll have to agree to the terms of service, and once that's done, information about your Library is sent to Apple. When all is finally done, you're going to see a splash screen describing Genius, two new items in the left sidebar, and an active icon in the toolbar at the bottom of the iTunes window:
Step 3: Click on Genius Mixes to see what Apple has created
You'll have to agree to the terms of service, and once that's done, information about your Library is sent to Apple. When all is finally done, you're going to see a splash screen describing Genius, two new items in the left sidebar, and an active icon in the toolbar at the bottom of the iTunes window:
Step 3: Click on Genius Mixes to see what Apple has created
I had six Rock Mixes created, since most of the music in my iTunes library is rock. Now, how do I get these Genius Mixes to show up on my iPhone?
Step 4: Connect your iPhone and sync
When your iPhone shows up under Devices in the sidebar, click on it, then click on the Music tab. See the list of playlists below? There will be checkboxes for all of your Genius Mixes. To send those Genius Mixes to the iPhone, check the appropriate boxes, and then click the Apply button to sync them to your iPhone.
Step 4: Connect your iPhone and sync
When your iPhone shows up under Devices in the sidebar, click on it, then click on the Music tab. See the list of playlists below? There will be checkboxes for all of your Genius Mixes. To send those Genius Mixes to the iPhone, check the appropriate boxes, and then click the Apply button to sync them to your iPhone.
Step 5: Enjoy your Genius Mixes
The next time you launch the iPod app on your iPhone, you'll notice that a Genius button appears (see screenshot below). In this case, tapping on it displays my Genius Mixes. Flicking left or right on the iPhone display switches between the Genius Mixes, and it just takes a tap on the screen to start playing the mix. By the way, when you tap on the Genius Mix to begin playing it, there is some fun animation of the album covers.
The next time you launch the iPod app on your iPhone, you'll notice that a Genius button appears (see screenshot below). In this case, tapping on it displays my Genius Mixes. Flicking left or right on the iPhone display switches between the Genius Mixes, and it just takes a tap on the screen to start playing the mix. By the way, when you tap on the Genius Mix to begin playing it, there is some fun animation of the album covers.
I listened to several of my mixes and was pleased with how the music seemed to "go together." Genius Mixes are a fun way to have iTunes take the work out of making a mix of music for you, and as you can see, they're extremely easy to set up.
If you've set up Genius Mixes, we'd love to hear how they're working out for you. Leave a comment below.
If you've set up Genius Mixes, we'd love to hear how they're working out for you. Leave a comment below.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Jimbo said 3:06PM on 9-11-2009
I'm loving the genius mixes, very similar to Pandora except for I don't have to worry about data connection and I know for sure I'll love the music.
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Owen Bronson Marmorek said 5:12PM on 9-12-2009
I wish there were a way to customize each mix like you can with Pandora.
Jeffrey said 3:13PM on 9-11-2009
If you have already had genius running, you must "Update Genius" for it to display the new Genius Mixes feature.
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FuriousCookie said 3:16PM on 9-11-2009
It keeps crashing the music app on my 2nd Gen 32GB touch. I've rebooted it a couple of times already.
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xanael said 6:10PM on 9-11-2009
same for me; same ipod
L3 said 3:18PM on 9-11-2009
Any suggestions regarding the 'Automatically fill with music' box?
I used it for a couple of days before creating the genius mixes, but turned it off to manage the space for the mixes. I'm not sure how to coordinate the two most efficiently.
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ryan.joshua.t said 9:53PM on 9-11-2009
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think when you enable the option to fill all remaining space on your iPod when you have Genius Mixes enabled, it will look at which Mixes you have enabled to be synced and will then fill all remaining space with similar artists/tags/genres. At least that's what it looks like it did with mine.
Kev orng said 3:20PM on 9-11-2009
Yep, I'm digging the Genius Mixes so much that I've deleted all the other playlists off my iPod, except for Gym Mix, which of course is a fairly specific list. And Driving Music, because nothing wrecks a good long drive in the country like a... song that doesn't go well with driving...
But all the rest, gone. Genius Mixes all the way.
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René said 3:25PM on 9-11-2009
I've got some Alternative Mixes made by Apple. I copied 3 of them to my iPod and wasn't pleased to see Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson on my device (they're in my library because my sister's iPod is connected to it as well). Seems like there's still some way to go…
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Joe Andersen said 3:51PM on 9-11-2009
Hard to see that being apple's fault. If you want to keep the music seperate, then use the multiple libraries feature and keep your sister's music quarantined.
Andy S. said 3:51PM on 9-11-2009
It's reasonable for Apple to presume that you'd be okay with having anything in your library added to your Genius Mixes. You should probably create a separate iTunes library for your sister so that you can remove all of that crap from your library.
René said 3:57PM on 9-11-2009
Didn't wanted to say it was Apple's fault nor it is not okay to have everything to be added to my mixes. Just wanted to say that I don't see any of those women in the genre "alternative".
This is what I ment with "some way to go".
Joe Andersen said 7:54PM on 9-13-2009
how are they tagged?
Ben said 3:24PM on 9-11-2009
Anyone else having major problems with cover art getting FUBARed with Genius Mixes? Also, I've noticed shuffle is always turned on after using a mix on my iPod touch. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with it on my MBP.
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MeekerMan said 7:45PM on 9-11-2009
I haven't had the issue with FUBAR cover art but I have had the problem with the shuffle feature and repeat feature turned on after finishing with the Genius Mix.
Jason Petri said 12:36AM on 9-12-2009
Almost all the cover art for my synced podcasts has been replaced with a Genius album cover collage. Seems only to have affected podcasts. Re-syncing did not fix it.
Josh said 3:25PM on 9-11-2009
Is there a way to create more Genius Mixes?
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Josh said 3:27PM on 9-11-2009
Odd. I just noticed that my Genius Mixes have grown from 6 to 12 since last night...
Vincent said 3:42PM on 9-11-2009
WTF? Why do I just have 1 Genius Mix?
Josh said 3:43PM on 9-11-2009
How many correctly tagged tracks do you have in your library? I'm thinking I might have 12 now because I have almost 12,000...