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Apple Hiring to Build 'Next Generation of Media Apps for Windows'

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Apple is looking for software engineers to build "the next generation of media apps for Windows" according to a new Apple job listing shared earlier today by Microsoft-focused site Neowin.

In macOS Catalina, Apple eliminated the iTunes app and replaced it with new Music, Podcasts, and TV apps, but similar changes were not made to Apple's iTunes for Windows app. Windows 10 users currently need to access services like Apple TV+ and Apple Music on the web, which is not ideal.

macos-catalina-apple-music-800x477.jpg

Apple's existing iTunes and iCloud apps are quite old and could benefit from being overhauled. The job listing suggests Apple may be aiming to introduce Windows apps that are similar to what's offered on Mac.
The Media Apps team is looking for a creative Senior Software Engineer to work on the next generation of media apps for Windows. You will help build innovative features that will delight millions of customers around the world.

You possess strong skills in the areas of application design, solid API design principles and have a strong understanding of customer and workflow issues. You have a history of shipping large volume consumer product successfully. You are a well-rounded developer who is not afraid to question assumptions. You have an excellent written and oral skills. You love collaborating under tight deadlines.

If you love music and you are passionate about writing code, and want to work with world-class engineering teams that ship to millions of users, the Media Apps team is the place for you.
Click to expand...
The job listing says that experience with UWP is a "big plus," with UWP standing for Universal Windows Platform. With UWP support, Apple could create apps that would work on Xbox One and various Windows 10 platforms.

An Apple TV+ app built using the Universal Windows Platform would allow the service to be accessed on the Xbox One, expanding Apple TV+ to platforms beyond smart TVs, Apple devices, and set-top boxes.

Article Link: Apple Hiring to Build 'Next Generation of Media Apps for Windows'
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/11/19/apple-next-generation-media-apps-windows/
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The point of iTunes on Windows was so that people who owned a PC could buy an iPod. With iOS devices no longer dependent on iTunes, what's the point of offering these apps on Windows? A bigger priority for Apple should be figuring out how to sell AirPods and Apple Watch to Android users.

Apple seems to be massively overestimating how much anyone will ever care about Apple TV+ (and Apple Music, and Apple Arcade, and all the rest of Apple's "Me too!" products, too.)
 
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ArtOfWarfare said:
The point of iTunes on Windows was so that people who owned a PC could buy an iPod. With iOS devices no longer dependent on iTunes, what's the point of offering these apps on Windows? A bigger priority for Apple should be figuring out how to sell AirPods and Apple Watch to Android users.

Apple seems to be massively overestimating how much anyone will ever care about Apple TV+ (and Apple Music, and Apple Arcade, and all the rest of Apple's "Me too!" products, too.)
Click to expand...

People did buy iPods and then invested in iTunes. People need to be able to access that content they have purchased.
People do care about Apple Music that’s why they have millions of paid subs. There competition has a family subscription so they need to also have this. To make this viable it has to be cross platform. I have subscribed to Apple Music for years, recently I upgraded to the family subscription so my wife who doesn’t use Apple products could have access, had this not been possible I more than likely would be a Spotify customer now.
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dennislaska said:
Okay, we'll see how long this lasts before Apple cans it.
Click to expand...

Cans what?
 
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ArtOfWarfare said:
The point of iTunes on Windows was so that people who owned a PC could buy an iPod. With iOS devices no longer dependent on iTunes, what's the point of offering these apps on Windows? A bigger priority for Apple should be figuring out how to sell AirPods and Apple Watch to Android users.

Apple seems to be massively overestimating how much anyone will ever care about Apple TV+ (and Apple Music, and Apple Arcade, and all the rest of Apple's "Me too!" products, too.)
Click to expand...

You still need to be able to put media on your iPhones, iPads, and yes, still iPod Touch.

Maybe you're forgetting, that you can't simply hook up an iPhone via USB and drag music or movies into it.

Also, you still need a way to do a physical local backup & restore of your device.
 
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ArtOfWarfare said:
The point of iTunes on Windows was so that people who owned a PC could buy an iPod. With iOS devices no longer dependent on iTunes, what's the point of offering these apps on Windows? A bigger priority for Apple should be figuring out how to sell AirPods and Apple Watch to Android users.

Apple seems to be massively overestimating how much anyone will ever care about Apple TV+ (and Apple Music, and Apple Arcade, and all the rest of Apple's "Me too!" products, too.)
Click to expand...
You erroneously debunk yourself here. I'm assuming this is a play to get Apple Music, iCloud Drive to become more modernized on Windows. Both of those things have been huge for Apple. Apple Music is enormous. So much so, it's odd you downplay it in your post.
 
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God I hope not. As bad as iTunes for Windows is it still works for transferring media to iOS devices. If Apple re-writes the app I’m sure it will be dumbed down with features like this removed.
 
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God I wish they would bring back Safari, and obviously iMessage, but both will never happen. UWP Music will at least be better than the crap that they have now.
 
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ArtOfWarfare said:
The point of iTunes on Windows was so that people who owned a PC could buy an iPod. With iOS devices no longer dependent on iTunes, what's the point of offering these apps on Windows? A bigger priority for Apple should be figuring out how to sell AirPods and Apple Watch to Android users.

Apple seems to be massively overestimating how much anyone will ever care about Apple TV+ (and Apple Music, and Apple Arcade, and all the rest of Apple's "Me too!" products, too.)
Click to expand...

I don’t think AirPods or the Apple Watch are particularly struggling. Apple today is far from the company nearly two decades ago that just offered computers and a media player.

They now have an entire ecosystem and generally speaking, it’s the best in the business when it comes to everything working together. Even just considering the resources required to get a harmonious experience on Android with the plethora of devices and hardware would be a colossal drain of time and money.
 
ArtOfWarfare said:
The point of iTunes on Windows was so that people who owned a PC could buy an iPod. With iOS devices no longer dependent on iTunes, what's the point of offering these apps on Windows? A bigger priority for Apple should be figuring out how to sell AirPods and Apple Watch to Android users.

Apple seems to be massively overestimating how much anyone will ever care about Apple TV+ (and Apple Music, and Apple Arcade, and all the rest of Apple's "Me too!" products, too.)
Click to expand...

Apple wants to earn more and more money from subscription services. You need to have apps on all devices for those subscriptions, just like all their competitors.
 
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ArtOfWarfare said:
The point of iTunes on Windows was so that people who owned a PC could buy an iPod. With iOS devices no longer dependent on iTunes, what's the point of offering these apps on Windows? A bigger priority for Apple should be figuring out how to sell AirPods and Apple Watch to Android users.

Apple seems to be massively overestimating how much anyone will ever care about Apple TV+ (and Apple Music, and Apple Arcade, and all the rest of Apple's "Me too!" products, too.)
Click to expand...
Maybe you’re underestimating them? Apple Music is hugely successful. Are you serious?
 
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ArtOfWarfare said:
The point of iTunes on Windows was so that people who owned a PC could buy an iPod. With iOS devices no longer dependent on iTunes, what's the point of offering these apps on Windows? A bigger priority for Apple should be figuring out how to sell AirPods and Apple Watch to Android users.

Apple seems to be massively overestimating how much anyone will ever care about Apple TV+ (and Apple Music, and Apple Arcade, and all the rest of Apple's "Me too!" products, too.)
Click to expand...

Maybe I missed something, but the point seems to be to make money.
 
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This is where Tim shines.

It is a smart play for Apple to further monetize non-Mac users, as they are the ones that probably make up the majority of iOS users.

Why leave that money on the table for competitors to grab?

The focus on iOS is coming full circle, as it is now the hub that Apple will use to satellite it's software services out of.

Hopefully this means the software quality will go up, because Winfans WILL use something else if Apple gets it wrong.

However, this may pose a danger to the Mac altogether.
 
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