This week Apple released updates for iTunes and Apple TV, versions 8.01 and 2.2 respectively. The updates add a number of new features for the programs, and fix some important flaws.

ITunes 8.01 either available through the automatic update system or as a standalone 59 Mb download for Mac or PC. The update fixes the infamous blue-screen-of-death causing bug that happened whenever you plugged in an iPod under Windows Vista. It also improves connection with the App Store, improves the update system’s reliability, removes a “current song” playing glitch that happens when you make a new Genius playlist while playing, and fixes an error which caused HD shows to be replaced by lower-quality ones during download.

On the Apple TV side, the 2.2 update brings the Genius playlist feature to the program. The Genius Recommendation Engine introduced last month by Apple was previously only available for iTunes. You can now also download HD television shows for $2.99 a pop, and you have a couple of security issues here and there patched; a particularly nasty one involved somebody making a malicious video file or PICT image that could terminate your app or execute code. There are also tweaks for the YouTube player and photo slideshows, and the introduction of the On-The-Go feature. Finally, Apple has introduced a new “Standby” feature with the new version of the software. The 2.2 update for Apple TV can be obtained through the General settings menu of the program.