Apple Music, Apple TV, and iCloud Photos Integration Coming to Windows

[coolfactor]

It's about time. I really don't understand how they've gotten away with selling "cloud services" that are marketed as being compatible with what is ultimately the most widely used OS on the planet, yet provide such an crappy experience on that platform. It's not rocket science and they should have just hired some developers to crank these apps out YEARS ago.

Because people have always had the choice to choose Macs. It was not Apple's responsibility to make Windows users happy. 😝

 

[CarAnalogy]

Well I'll be damned. I truly never thought I'd see the day. Apple acknowledges Windows' existence after all.

 

[Jameseh]

Have they fixed metadata being eaten yet? Anything I upload gets scrubbed.

 

[Spock]

This is like 10 years too late, I already have an iPad, iPhone, Mac where I can already view that stuff.

Ice water in hell..

 

[mnsportsgeek]

There is one, it's (afaik) only available on Chromecast devices / Android TV devices. Source: My Chromecast device

Luckily there exists other people than you, who might be happy about that.

ChromeOS is it’s own platform.

 

[Havoc035]

Still holding out hope for browser based imessage

I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[KillerTree]

YESSSS!! Looking forward to this!

Now Apple needs to update their own iTunes app (6 years without serious updates).

Thing doesnt even have hardware acceleration or Lossless - (Apples claim to fame over Spotify) 😂

Why would a simple iTunes app made over a decade ago need hardware acceleration on modern computers?

 

[eqquito]

This makes a lot of sense for consumers, Apple has great computers but they don't have to force consumers to buy them if they are not interested. Their services business can benefit from supporting Windows OS in a big time and this can even drive customers into their own OS/Hardware.

 

[iStorm]

I wonder how well the iCloud Photos integration will work. Is it just a basic one-way sync? Will edits sync back to iCloud (if they can be edited)? Will it optimize storage, or download the full-resolution version of everything? Will it show albums and folders? So many questions!

 

[G3Blue]

I bet my socks syncing won’t work as it does on Mac OS/iOS. Something will be incompatible (Deleted photos sync). If it does work, goodbye MacBook.

 

[Mr Todhunter]

"antiquated iTunes" my A$$. Time for Windows users to cry black tears trying to use the Music app.

 

[MrRom92]

So what is the implication for local iOS device management ie. backups and iOS installations/updates/restores? Is iTunes being deprecated? Is this functionality being relocated to the Music application? Or will iTunes stick around and continue to be updated separately for this purpose?

 

[zorinlynx]

Why would Microsoft be announcing these apps instead of Apple?

 

[JoeShades]

So what is the implication for local iOS device management ie. backups and iOS installations/updates/restores? Is iTunes being deprecated? Is this functionality being relocated to the Music application? Or will iTunes stick around and continue to be updated separately for this purpose?

Also what about home sharing photos to Apple TV? not the icloud libraries

 

[ackmondual]

The standalone Apple Music and Apple TV apps will provide a much improved experience for Windows users who use these services. Currently, Windows users must access the Apple TV+ streaming service on the web at tv.apple.com, while Apple Music is available on the web or within the antiquated iTunes for Windows app. Microsoft said previews of both apps will be available on the Microsoft Store starting later this year.

Hmm, I'm all for people having choice, but is it really that bad to use ATV+ through a web browser (and I guess by extension, any other streaming service)? Granted, they still don't have Searching via browser last I checked (back in June), but I was able to get by just fine.

Apple Music would replace iTunes.

If one wanted to load music onto their iPod Classic, should we still find an installation of iTunes, or would Apple Music replace that? If folks have suggestions for 3rd party programs, do tell!

 

[matthew12]

lol well what do you know @bradl



Seems my security concern, for Apple not have updating iTunes in over 6yrs will be finally resolved.

They actually do still update it on Windows, but mostly to add support for new devices or resolve security flaws. About time they replaced it, honestly.

 

[Feyl]

Will it be just as crappy like every Apple software on Windows?

 

[theman510]

I wouldn't hold my breath.

I'm not lol

 

[AppleFan1998]

I wonder what's the long term goal with this windows update.

 

[HMI]

Finally, a reason to use Windows again!

 

[JoeShades]

What about podcasts

 

[I7guy]

Great news! I really like it.

 

[reklex]

Why would Microsoft be announcing these apps instead of Apple?

yeah I'd expect a press release on this

 

[embraceware]

That's a generous amount of ice water 😀

 

[ackmondual]

Well I'll be damned. I truly never thought I'd see the day. Apple acknowledges Windows' existence after all.

If you go not really that far back, there are those ads trying to poach Windows users to the MacOS land. IIRC, they even had ads about how easy it is to switch, with details like Office also working on Macs, and a plethora of alternative Mac software that one uses on Windows.