iTunes Expected to Be Retired After Over 18 Years

[JBGoode]

Is there a reason everyone assumes our own music Libraries, Match, etc. are going away when iTunes does? My guess is that the new Music app will basically be what the Music tab on iTunes is currently: our library, Apple Music, the Store, Radio, etc. Is there a reason that wouldn't be the case?

I've noticed that folks like to fill in the blanks with what they think will happen (and it's always a worst case scenario) and then get upset over these imaginary things as if they had actually happened already. It happens on all forums I've been involved in.

I agree that it's doubtful the people's paid music is suddenly going to be inaccessible.

 

[purplehaze0]

Nobody needs iTunes anymore.
Apple Music is everything. As long as there's a Mac app that interfaces with Apple Music then everyone will be good.

I disagree , it isn’t everything, I’m very happy to purchase music through iTunes. I’ve never had a problem with it and while you place yourself as speaking for ‘everyone ‘ you don’t speak for me.

 

[The.316]

I dont use any streaming service, other than free Spotify, and all my music is stored on my iMac, or its external drives. How am I going to add these songs to my iPhone, or play them from my computer? Or how am I going to add the ringtones to my phone? I hope they know what they are doing with this, because I still enjoy iTunes very much.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Is there a reason everyone assumes our own music Libraries, Match, etc. are going away when iTunes does? My guess is that the new Music app will basically be what the Music tab on iTunes is currently: our library, Apple Music, the Store, Radio, etc. Is there a reason that wouldn't be the case?

Yeah, the report with the leaked screenshots indicated that local libraries will still be supported, and there was a bit about syncing still available too, working like it still does right now - You only see it if a device is plugged in.

I'm not really happy that it might be in a 10.14 update though. There's going to be plenty of beta testers who can deal with any bugs before pushing the update to everyone.

 

[mi7chy]

With iTunes going away hope Apple will provide more freedom with regards to dragging and dropping media to iOS devices and without forced encoding from open, for example, FLAC to proprietary ALAC.

 

[kazmac]

As long I can still download my purchased movies that haven't been pulled, and buy & download films going forward, that's fine. Streaming and subscriptions are not my thing.

Apple Music has pushed me away from buying and listening to music on my iDevices. I'll make two exceptions for the two bands that are still producing my kind of noise.

And please, please TV app, stop defaulting to sports.

 

[return2sendai]

Simple solution 1:

Download iTunes.dmg and install it on the new macOS when it comes out, if it runs on the new macOS.

Simple solution 2:

Never upgrade from macOS Mojave.

 

[Tech198]

The music app was a good start,,, so they are finally ending this sucker ..


I reckon the logo should be updated based on the progress I wouldn't mind a black & white/color half and half logo. Since everything will be split up anyway, what else can you do...

I guess syncing/restoring devices is the only way, but probably not enough to keep it round. Each will have their own dedicated app ?

(18 years seems too long..)

 

[blueflower]

What will this spell of backups and jailbreaking hmmm

 

[Tech198]

What will this spell of backups and jailbreaking hmmm

It would be a good way to end it. Right AFTER it became legal too lol

 

[FaustsHausUK]

Separate apps sharing code with their iOS counterparts _should_ mean better performance and more frequent updates. I’m not worried provided they retain:

- A store for purchasing music. Streaming is theft.
- iTunes Match-like plans for people who want to put their collection in the cloud but don’t want streaming.
- The ability to back up your devices to your Mac. Ideally in a dedicated app instead of bloating, say, Music.
- The ability to hide the Apple Music interface elements and nagging pop-ups.

 

[trekkie604]

I haven't used iTunes for music for ages. But 2 use cases that I still have for iTunes currently -

1. Encrypted local backups preserving credentials for all the installed apps
2. Loading custom ringtones

Without replacing those functions I'll be po'd

 

[Flight Plan]

I'm confused. How will I keep my Apple devices (iPhone and two iPads) up to date with my music?

I still occasionally buy music CDs and rip them. I hate subscriptions, so I won't buy Spotify or Pandora. I get Pandora free and listen to iheartradio, so when I get tired of ads, I play music from my MP3 library. That's always ad-free and cost-free after the one-time cost to buy a CD. Call me oldschool.

 

[The.316]

I haven't used iTunes for music for ages. But 2 use cases that I still have for iTunes currently -

1. Encrypted local backups preserving credentials for all the installed apps
2. Loading custom ringtones

Without replacing those functions I'll be po'd

I have an older Macbook. Im just going to store all my music on it, and use it as a backup to my iPhone. Im sure we will be able to still load custom ringtones, I doubt Apple will restrict us THAT much.

 

[Skeptical.me]

Wow, end of an era.

I’d still like to be able to purchase music. Can they at least still call that the iTunes Store?

"Wow, end of an era" Yes! I was in my early 20's when iTunes was released. Thank God we didn't have Social Media back then lol
[doublepost=1559468225][/doublepost]

I'm confused. How will I keep my Apple devices (iPhone and two iPads) up to date with my music?

I still occasionally buy music CDs and rip them. I hate subscriptions, so I won't buy Spotify or Pandora. I get Pandora free and listen to iheartradio, so when I get tired of ads, I play music from my MP3 library. That's always ad-free and cost-free after the one-time cost to buy a CD. Call me oldschool.

I have 1400 albums (from the early 90's to the 2000's) in iTunes match. I hate subscriptions, every App seems to be going that way, although iTunes Match is a cheap yearly Sub.

 

[Tech198]

I've noticed that folks like to fill in the blanks with what they think will happen (and it's always a worst case scenario) and then get upset over these imaginary things as if they had actually happened already. It happens on all forums I've been involved in.

I agree that it's doubtful the people's paid music is suddenly going to be inaccessible.

And we also all agree that it will all be "smooth" sailing as well Not likely.

If it can go wrong, it will.

 

[punkindrublic]

Should have rebranded iTunes and not broken apart. Could still have a central hub for purchasing, music, movies, books – just separate within the single ecosystem.

 

[Playfoot]

So, what do I use to manage all the apps across all the devices? What about music? What about radio? What about podcasts....now I have to HOW many separate apps?

to see the least, I have my doubts.

 

[nt5672]

iCloud backups are encrypted, but Apple holds a key to unlock them. iTunes backups are all your own.

Which means they are not really encrypted. Sure they run the algorithm, but I am not in control of the key, so who cares.
[doublepost=1559481858][/doublepost]

Yes, it is.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204136

I really get a kick out of people that are so pedantic that they miss the forest for the trees. Sure Apple encrypts the backup, but who holds the key? Apple does. Who can change the key? Who knows, but it is not the user. Who can view the files? Who knows. Just another case of Apple using marketing gobbledegook to make people believe they have a secure system.

Does the saying, "Hook, line and sinker: mean anything here?

 

[cgs1xx]

This is great news but I wish they'd also separate Music from Apple Music...

 

[EdT]

"Wow, end of an era" Yes! I was in my early 20's when iTunes was released. Thank God we didn't have Social Media back then lol
[doublepost=1559468225][/doublepost]

I have 1400 albums (from the early 90's to the 2000's) in iTunes match. I hate subscriptions, every App seems to be going that way, although iTunes Match is a cheap yearly Sub.

Plex (and maybe other apps) have the ability to store and play music off of pretty any system, Apple, Android, Linux or Windows. I haven't implemented this, but I have started backups of my CD's to try it. The problem is to use it as a network server means you have to buy a monthly or yearly streaming option with Plex. To just use it at home on your own network does NOT require that subscription, at least right now. You can link your Plex music library to your iTunes library, but whether that will still be true in the future I don't know.

 

[InuNacho]

Reminds me of when Apple replaced QuickTime Player 7 with the QuickTime Player X. We lost functionality and access to specific file formats all for a "cleaner" look.
It's been a decade and X still hasn't gained all the features of 7. Undoubtedly Music will be a stripped down version of iTunes without any sort of advanced features.

 

[Skoal]

What will be used for backing up an iPhone?

(I don't use iTunes, but I can see an iCloud averse person using it.)

I use it and I won’t be using iCloud to replace it

 

[scouser75]

I'm still on El Capitan (I have a very old 2009 Mac Pro). Will I still be able to use the admittedly horrible old iTunes 12.8.2.3? Or will it get updated?

 

[mcdj]

Is this just gonna be Apple's New Coke? I sense a rebranding, maybe some streamlining, but not an entirely different experience.