Before retiring iTunes malware put out a clean uninstaller to remove all the things it left behind like Bonjour.
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iTunes Expected to Be Retired After Over 18 Years
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I think what they are doing is what they did to Photos, iWork, etc which is have direct analogs of macOS apps to iOS apps, which is logical and fine. If I were in charge at Apple I would integrate local network iPhone backups into Time Machine on your Mac's backup drive and allow it wired or wireless. That way they'd be leveraging what they already have built and it would be as mindless an activity as nightly backups to iCloud but without paying 99¢ for 50GB storage.
"The company is launching a trio of new apps for the Mac - Music, TV, and Podcasts - to replace iTunes. That matches Apple's media app strategy on iPhones and iPads. Without iTunes, customers can manage their Apple gadgets through the Music app."
Manage their gadgets through Music? Sigh...
Device management needs to be its own entity. Provide a database manager for every relevant media type (music, video, books) and a sync manager to interface each to the device.
Also, why is iTunes U embedded in Podcasts? I get that both Podcasts and iTU are hard to fit with the others because they're a mix of audio, video and downloadable content, but I really liked having a dedicated interface to iTU.
You shouldn't have to google things like "how to add music to my phone" in an app that is designed to add music to your phone.
Or when you want to back up your phone you have to search for the little 1mmx1mm icon that is your device. sure, i know where it is, but everyone i talk to apparently doesnt. How do I create a sub folder to organize my movies? oh, you cant.
Why is there a whole new subset of the same folders when i click on my device? How do i put a movie on my phone?
Nothing about iTunes felt natural. its a mess
These are all assumptions without understanding anything about this unreleased software. Let's wait until Monday and then we can see how it all works. My guess, there is no more syncing through the apps you mentioned, just iCloud - or it's just a preference pane. Not that big of a deal either way.
... and that is why I prefaced that entire post with “If true ...”
Because they want recurring revenue. If you own all the songs that you like, you’re more likely to unsubscribe.
I personally love streaming because I like to discover new music and don’t like having to decide if I’m going to buy a song that I want to listen to now but might not end up listening to much after. A subscription takes away the pressure in that decision. Listen to anything, no compromises.
That said, I know that some people like to “own” their music. A separate iTunes Store where you can browse and purchase music but that shows up in your Apple Music app is a good compromise.
Apple will have to keep a store of some sort around for TV and movies, unless they’re planning on doing a streaming service in the TV app that grants you access to all movies and TV shows.
Pretty interesting. IMO it's needed to happen.
I personally only really use iTunes to watch movies, which are streamed from an iTunes server I built.
I personally only really use iTunes to watch movies, which are streamed from an iTunes server I built.
Yea I get that, but even if they retire iTunes, we still have no idea how they will handle sync, etc. because we know nothing about the new app. Everything will be explained in time.
Music likely, but we don't know the answer to that. If iTunes is completely removed like the article states, it would default to the Music app.
They really could have one program that syncs, restores and backs up and maybe, just maybe doesn't try to sell you anything.
A perpetual license is not the same as a subscription. And purchased music files have no DRM, so your usage is not time limited or otherwise restricted.
iTunes is one of the main reasons why I bought my first Mac back in the early 2000s and the same database has been going strong since then. I've used Match for many years - and while I tried Apple's Music Streaming, I didn't like it as much as having my own music collection.
So I'm going to be very wary of updating without knowing what will happen to iTunes. Would hate to lose Match, any or the multiple-layered dynamic playlists (that iCloud can't cope with), the stats, or the syncing of those playlists to the phones.
Hopefully Apple know how much this is the thing that keeps me and others firmly in the ecosystem.
So I'm going to be very wary of updating without knowing what will happen to iTunes. Would hate to lose Match, any or the multiple-layered dynamic playlists (that iCloud can't cope with), the stats, or the syncing of those playlists to the phones.
Hopefully Apple know how much this is the thing that keeps me and others firmly in the ecosystem.
There is no DRM on music purchased from iTunes, hasn't been for several years. They're standard AAC files, they can be played on other platforms -- they don't need iTunes or any Apple software at all. I play many of them offline on a Chinese digital audio player on a MicroSD card.
I love iTunes for managing and curating the digital music that I’ve been collecting for the last 15+ years. I have no intention of ever subscribing to Apple Music, and I’d be very disappointed if Apple got rid of iTunes. I also like using iTunes for iPhone backups.
I think any music bought before 2009 DOES have DRM on it.
SoundJam was a great program until the fruit bought it and turned it into a conduit to buy stuff from them first, foremost and always. ANY design tweaks were 100% aimed at getting money from you, NOT in making a music organizer into a better one. Notice there is NOT going to be a "Backup up my Mobile Devices" separate app, from what was said they are going to make you use the Music app so that they can sell you more stuff first, foremost and always. Has the side benefot of pushing folks to buy more iCloud storage (which I am going to have to reluctantly do). AND 10-1 this is all going to be tied to installing 10.15, everyone else is SOL.
SoundJam was a great program until the fruit bought it and turned it into a conduit to buy stuff from them first, foremost and always. ANY design tweaks were 100% aimed at getting money from you, NOT in making a music organizer into a better one. Notice there is NOT going to be a "Backup up my Mobile Devices" separate app, from what was said they are going to make you use the Music app so that they can sell you more stuff first, foremost and always. Has the side benefot of pushing folks to buy more iCloud storage (which I am going to have to reluctantly do). AND 10-1 this is all going to be tied to installing 10.15, everyone else is SOL.
Try finding “internet radio” or podcasts. There are a lot of things that are confusing on iTunes.
iCloud backups are encrypted, but Apple holds a key to unlock them. iTunes backups are all your own.
I believe Jeff Robbin still works for Apple as VP of consumer apps. iTunes was actually kind of a letdown compared to SoundJam, being a muted, Apple-tailored version that didn't allow for changing themes.
Will be interesting to see just what Music is capable of, and whether it follows the "dumbed-down" approach Apple has applied to Photos and other app replacements over the years.
If nothing else, hopefully this will bring the end of the glib and clichéd "bloated" comments. I only use the Music, Apps, and occasionally Podcast sections of iTunes and none of the rest ever bothers me.
Maybe it will go out in style.
While I agree completely, i can see both sides of this scenario.
From my perspective having one app to *manage* digital media.... then separate apps to *consume* media could be an ideal solution.