Several sources are reporting, unofficially, that Apple will be introducing a new version of iTunes next Tuesday.

While this is an unofficial rumor, it seems likely, since it’s been close to 2 years since iTunes 7 was released.

Here’s a rundown of expected features for iTunes 8:

Genius

iTunes 8 includes Genius, which makes playlists from songs in your library that go great together. Genius also includes Genius sidebar, which recommends music from the iTunes Store that you don’t already have.

Other new features:

With iTunes 8, browse your artists and albums visually with the new Grid view; download your favorite TV shows in HD quality from the iTunes Store; sync your media with iPod nano (4th generation), iPod classic (2nd generation), and iPod touch (2nd generation); and enjoy a stunning new music visualizer.

New iPods and an iTunes update are welcome – but I’d like to see Apple deliver some “Wow” with Tuesday’s introductions.

A big, juicy, Thickburger of “Wow”.

The company has been focusing on execution, and doing a fantastic job of it. Steve Jobs realizes that their technology is enough ahead of anybody else’s that they can work on incremental improvements and still have a huge lead.

Still, watching Apple secure its lead isn’t half as interesting as getting your mind blown by “one more thing” introductions like Apple’s switch to Intel or the iPhone.

I’m hoping that Jobs has years of one more things to come.

Steve Jobs’ One More Thing – A Visual History