macOS 10.15's Music app should retain core iTunes features
While Apple is expected to split iTunes into several apps in macOS 10.15, due sometime this fall, the new Music app will reportedly keep most of iTunes's associated functions.
An existing version of iTunes.
This includes "smart" playlists, library management, and syncing with iPhones, iPads, and iPods. People should even be able to continue burning and playing CDs, despite the push towards on-demand streaming through Apple Music.
The app will allegedly be based off of AppKit, again like iTunes. Earlier rumors suggested it might rely on Marzipan, Apple's platform for porting iOS apps to the Mac.
The claims stem from "sources familiar with the development of the OS," cited by 9to5Mac.
Other anticipated iTunes spinoffs include Podcasts and TV, the latter important given the upcoming launches of Apple TV Channels and Apple TV+. It's not clear if those will use Marzipan as previously claimed, but that might save Apple developers some work considering the existence of equivalent apps on the iPad.
Mac and Windows users alike have complained about the bloated nature of iTunes, which impacts its speed and interface. A remaining question is whether Apple will split up the software on Windows too.
macOS 10.15 should be previewed at Apple's WWDC 2019 keynote on June 3.
An existing version of iTunes.
This includes "smart" playlists, library management, and syncing with iPhones, iPads, and iPods. People should even be able to continue burning and playing CDs, despite the push towards on-demand streaming through Apple Music.
The app will allegedly be based off of AppKit, again like iTunes. Earlier rumors suggested it might rely on Marzipan, Apple's platform for porting iOS apps to the Mac.
The claims stem from "sources familiar with the development of the OS," cited by 9to5Mac.
Other anticipated iTunes spinoffs include Podcasts and TV, the latter important given the upcoming launches of Apple TV Channels and Apple TV+. It's not clear if those will use Marzipan as previously claimed, but that might save Apple developers some work considering the existence of equivalent apps on the iPad.
Mac and Windows users alike have complained about the bloated nature of iTunes, which impacts its speed and interface. A remaining question is whether Apple will split up the software on Windows too.
macOS 10.15 should be previewed at Apple's WWDC 2019 keynote on June 3.
Comments
Not good! Synching of iPhones is where all the bloat started to happen in iTunes. Why should a music app be in charge of synching things with an iPhone or iPad that contains music, movies, photos, loads of other miscellaneous data, and apps? It makes no sense! Apple should have a dedicated iOS <-> macOS sync. app, or use a Music app for synching music, a Videos app (that doesn't currently exist) for synching video files, Photos for synching photos, and the App Store for synching and managing apps.
Say what you will about iTunes, I much prefer a one-stop shop for procuring, managing, and syncing media to my devices. The removal of the App Store was a step backwards for app management on the device, so I'm not looking forward to more of this. As a compromise, maybe a single app for syncing all media types, but you still have to break out to other apps for procuring and managing media, then back to "sync" in another app. Talk about a clusterfuck!
I don't get all this talk of "bloat" ... are you running iTunes on ancient hardware? It runs smooth as silk on my Mac, and I have a sizeable library.
There is the possibility Apple won't open up that API, at least not straight away, so I wouldn't want to count on it happening. That's assuming they actually go that way. (Fingers crossed.)
I feel like they should maybe fully move device management/backups to Configurator (and maybe rebrand it to something less vague-sounding).