Skip to main content

Apple is reportedly set to finally ditch iTunes with the next big update to the Mac operating system (APPL)

Bob Dylan Steve Jobs iTunes Launch 2003

  • Next Monday at its developer conference, Apple will announce the end of iTunes alongside an update to its MacOS operating system, according to a Bloomberg report on Friday
  • In its place, Apple will reportedly announce three new apps for Macs that allow users to access their music, TV shows and movies, and podcasts in separate places. These apps — Music, TV, and Podcasts — already exist on iPhones and iPads today.
  • The Bloomberg report also said that without iTunes, users will manage their iPhones and iPads through the Music app moving forward. 
  • iTunes revolutionized the music software world in the early 2000s, but it's since become an object of scorn for many.
  • It's not clear what will happen to the Windows version of iTunes.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A software product that helped define a generation is soon to be no longer. 

Next Monday at its developer conference, Apple will announce the end of iTunes, according to a Bloomberg report on Friday

In its place, Apple will reportedly announce three new apps for the MacOS operating system that allow users to access their music, TV shows and movies, and podcasts in separate places. These apps — Music, TV, and Podcasts — already exist on iPhones and iPads today, but will reportedly come to the Mac with the next big software update releasing this year.

The Bloomberg report also said that without iTunes, Mac users will manage their devices through the Music app moving forward. It's not clear what will happen to iTunes for Microsoft Windows.

Read more: All the new features Apple is expected to bring to your Mac computer later this year

iTunes revolutionized the music software world in the early 2000s — first available on personal computers running MacOS or Windows. As former Apple CEO Steve Jobs said when iTunes first came to Windows PCs: "It's like offering a glass of ice water to somebody in hell." 

The music platform — which would add videos by 2005 — helped drive the immense popularity of the Apple iPod, as it was a convenient place to store music burned from existing CDs or purchased on its iTunes Store. 

But as consumer preferences have changed over the years and Apple's strategy has shifted to streaming services, the iTunes platform seems to have simply be gotten in the way. For instance, subscribers to Apple Music — the company's music streaming service — must access the service on Macs through iTunes.

Having standalone apps for its different streaming services could help Apple compete with the likes of Spotify and Netflix. The decision also comes at a time when the tech giant has indicated a growing investment in its services, like Apple Music or the forthcoming Apple TV+, to offset its slowing hardware business. 

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. 

SEE ALSO: I've been using Apple products exclusively for 12 years — here are 9 things I realized after giving them up for one week

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 5G networks will be 10 times faster than 4G LTE, but we shouldn't get too excited yet



from Tech Insider http://bit.ly/2EM8QN4
via IFTTT

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Instagram accidentally reinstated Pornhub’s banned account

After years of on-and-off temporary suspensions, Instagram permanently banned Pornhub’s account in September. Then, for a short period of time this weekend, the account was reinstated. By Tuesday, it was permanently banned again. “This was done in error,” an Instagram spokesperson told TechCrunch. “As we’ve said previously, we permanently disabled this Instagram account for repeatedly violating our policies.” Instagram’s content guidelines prohibit  nudity and sexual solicitation . A Pornhub spokesperson told TechCrunch, though, that they believe the adult streaming platform’s account did not violate any guidelines. Instagram has not commented on the exact reasoning for the ban, or which policies the account violated. It’s worrying from a moderation perspective if a permanently banned Instagram account can accidentally get switched back on. Pornhub told TechCrunch that its account even received a notice from Instagram, stating that its ban had been a mistake (that message itse...

California Gov. Newsom vetoes bill SB 1047 that aims to prevent AI disasters

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed bill SB 1047, which aims to prevent bad actors from using AI to cause "critical harm" to humans. The California state assembly passed the legislation by a margin of 41-9 on August 28, but several organizations including the Chamber of Commerce had urged Newsom to veto the bill . In his veto message on Sept. 29, Newsom said the bill is "well-intentioned" but "does not take into account whether an Al system is deployed in high-risk environments, involves critical decision-making or the use of sensitive data. Instead, the bill applies stringent standards to even the most basic functions - so long as a large system deploys it."  SB 1047 would have made the developers of AI models liable for adopting safety protocols that would stop catastrophic uses of their technology. That includes preventive measures such as testing and outside risk assessment, as well as an "emergency stop" that would completely shut down...

If only your bike had a trunk. Oh wait, now it does.

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. Biking is one of the best ways to get around, especially if you live in a city. It's quick, it's eco-friendly, and you get a bit of exercise.  If you already commute on two wheels or are thinking of starting, there's a storage device you kinda need. SEE ALSO: This bamboo keyboard combo adds a touch of tranquility to your workspace The Buca Boot is a pretty magical two-in-one hybrid: It’s a super secure storage box for your bike that works like the trunk of a car. You can lock your helmet or whatever else in it and leave it safely behind. It’s also a basket—open it up, and you can carry a bouquet of flowers and a baguette like the picturesque cyclist of your dreams.    Read more... More about Storage , Car , Bicycle , Trunk , and Cyclist from Mashable http://ift.tt/2eHNwLB via IFTTT