As Apple's most popular application of all time, iTunes needs no introduction. We all know what it is and what it does - and not just because Apple has made so much noise about it, but also because it's so elegantly simple that anyone can use it without ever reading so much as an opening paragraph about it. However, it strikes me that the simplicity that has made iTunes so popular is perhaps also one of its weaknesses. I am often surprised to hear people tell me they found iTunes "too basic" for their needs, unaware of the vast potential hidden under its simple user interface. And those who do like it are still often unaware of most of what it can do, sometimes going to surprising lengths to solve problems in awkward ways, that can be easily handled within iTunes itself. Smart playlists debuted in version 3 of iTunes, and are one of its most innovative - and overlooked -features. They provide a powerful means of organizing your music library, and, as I'll explain, they can be used for several other purposes as well. As your music library grows, smart playlists will prove increasingly indispensable for solving a variety of different problems.
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