Apple May Be Planning to Break Up iTunes With New Music and Podcast Apps for Mac

[MacRumors]

With the launch of macOS 10.15, Apple may be planning to release separate Music and Podcasts apps for the Mac, according to developer Steve Troughton-Smith.

In a tweet shared this afternoon, Troughton-Smith said that based on evidence he's discovered, Apple appears to be working on new UIKit-based Music, Podcasts, and Books apps for macOS, all three of which will join the TV app that Apple has said is in the works.

Separate apps for each of these services suggest that Apple is planning to break up the iTunes app for Mac, which is where Podcasts, Movies, and TV Shows are available at the current time. Apple already has a Books app, but an updated version or separate app that includes audiobooks could be in development.

I am now fairly confident based on evidence I don't wish to make public at this point that Apple is planning new (likely UIKit) Music, Podcasts, perhaps even Books, apps for macOS, to join the new TV app. I expect the four to be the next wave of Marzipan apps. Grain of salt, etc - Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) April 5, 2019

Apple in macOS Mojave introduced the groundwork for cross-platform iOS and Mac apps, and Apple introduced dedicated Mac apps for Stocks, Home, Apple News, and Voice Memos. All of these apps were based on iOS apps, and with new the software coming in 2019, additional iOS apps could be brought to Mac to replace iTunes.

And yes, this means the much-discussed and long-awaited break up of iTunes. Finally! - Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) April 5, 2019

Troughton-Smith has, in the past, shared accurate info on Apple's plans based on hints and code discovered in current versions of Apple's operating systems.

Apple will macOS 10.15 alongside iOS 13 at its 2019 Worldwide Developers Conference, which is set to kick off on June 3.

Article Link: Apple May Be Planning to Break Up iTunes With New Music and Podcast Apps for Mac

 

[Icaras]

About damn time. Thank you Apple if this is true!!!

And once the TV app comes out this fall, just finally get rid of iTunes altogether!

 

[johnyslats]

Hope this is true. iTunes is a mess

 

[dominiongamma]

Hope this is true. iTunes is a mess

Yup! It’s outdated concept too of uploading movies to a device or music when we can do it over iCloud now

 

[iapplelove]

I still and only really use iTunes on Mac to back up my idevices..

Other than that, they can do what they want with it.

 

[Sedulous]

Would be nice to get some of the bloat out of iTunes. But I must admit, I do miss the iTunes App Store.

 

[eatrains]

Device syncing/backup/updates and Windows compatibility are big question marks here...

 

[kazmac]

Yes, I’ll take movies and tv separate from current iTunes please.

 

[BonchaDotCom]

iTunes has gotten so bloated and practically useless almost since the iPhone was introduced. Fingers crossed this actually happens and Apple can get it done right.

 

[QCassidy352]

These things should definitely be in their own apps. That said, I’ve never had a problem with iTunes, unlike some here. It’s not the best app, but it’s perfectly usable. (Maybe just seems that way to me since I’ve been using it since 1.0...)

 

[Porco]

Ugh. I still like managing my podcasts in iTunes, of course they will want to mess that up too.

 

[TMRJIJ]

I knew this was coming. Photos, Books, and, later on, TV are all apps. iTunes started dying as soon as it was no longer deemed necessary for syncing.

 

[Icaras]

I still and only really use iTunes on Mac to back up my idevices..

Other than that, they can do what they want with it.

Device syncing/backup/updates and Windows compatibility are big question marks here...

They could easily just segue sync functionality into its own separate app if Apple wanted to.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

I would welcome this. iTunes has been bloated for a while.

 

[Konigi]

Definitely a good idea. And since we're at it, and given a TV app is coming to 10.15, I hope the "movie" section in iTunes gets transferred to its own app (likely, the TV app), for renting and buying movies and shows.

And please, update the Podcast icon. It's so early 2000-ish, not on par with other Apple's icons.

 

[Icaras]

I knew this was coming. Photos, Books, and, later on, TV are all apps. iTunes was started dying as soon as it was no longer seemed necessary for syncing.

Also, why am I still purchasing and watching movies and TV shows in an app called “iTunes”? None of the branding or functionality makes sense in 2019.

 

[iObama]

I'm equal parts nervous and excited.

[actually just mostly nervous]

iTunes is a bastard, but it's my bastard, ya know?

 

[now i see it]

being that iTunes is the most vile piece of junk Apple makes, this can't happen soon enough. Now to just break the iPhone from it. (Never gunna happen)

 

[genovelle]

Just as long as I can still store movies I want on my computer. Sometimes I want to watch movies on my laptop when I don’t have a fast internet connection and prefer not to kill my data plan to hotspot from my phone.

 

[nburwell]

I'm game since this is long overdue IMO. Hope it happens.

 

[Konigi]

Yup! It’s outdated concept too of uploading movies to a device or music when we can do it over iCloud now

Not true, for instance if you're on a long transit (say, a train, a plane or a bus) and don't have access to WiFi, or only to a low-quality connection.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

With the launch of macOS 10.15, Apple may be planning to release separate Music and Podcasts apps for the Mac, according to developer Steve Troughton-Smith.

Separate apps for each of these services suggest that Apple is planning to break up the iTunes app for Mac, which is where Podcasts, Movies, and TV Shows are available at the current time. Apple already has a Books app, but an updated version or separate app that includes audiobooks could be in development.

Oh man yes, I hope so!

Apple in macOS Mojave introduced the groundwork for cross-platform iOS and Mac apps, and Apple introduced dedicated Mac apps for Stocks, Home, Apple News, and Voice Memos. All of these apps were based on iOS apps, and with new the software coming in 2019, additional iOS apps could be brought to Mac to replace iTunes.

​

Oh no... I certainly don't hope we get something that looks even remotely similar to the iOS Music app.. D:

Is a bare bones iTunes app, for MUSIC, really so much to ask for??

 

[adamw]

Sounds interesting. Is Apple positioning itself to split off iTunes into various apps to help defend itself against legal claims for "Apple Tax" and Spotify's claims of Apple being a monopoly?

 

[RevTEG]

I wouldn't mind having a standalone podcast and music app from Apple on my Mac. I don't use my MacBook for music and podcast just because of the iTunes bloat.

 

[zombierunner]

Please change the way tracks are added to playlists in iOS Music app. They go to the bottom by default, then you have drag it like a muppet to the top. Also allow multiple tracks to be selected and moved. Also allow start and end times to be selected, something you can only do through the iTunes app on a Mac/PC.