iTunes 8.1 update available

A new version of the iTunes music-management software, 8.1, is now available to download.

Version 8.1 brings a number of changes that makes the software faster and more responsive, and comes a day after Apple announced the launch of the new iPod Shuffle.

"Now when it comes to loading large libraries, browsing the iTunes Store, and syncing your devices, iTunes responds faster than before," the company said.

The new version also lets you automatically import music from CDs in the high-quality iTunes Plus format.

iTunes Plus uses a bit-rate of 256Kbps, an improvement on the 128Kbps offered by the standard iTunes format.