apple.com/itunes
However, due to the large amount of data it consumes, Apple iTunes is in danger of being discontinued by the company.
Since its release in 2003, iTunes has been at the center of Apple's dominance in the world of technology. The platform has been used for streaming, downloading movies, TV shows, books, podcasts and listening to internet radio. However, recent reports have warned that iTunes may be discontinued by Apple within the next few years due to its large consumption of data. If this happens it will be a huge loss for users who rely on this platform for their entertainment needs.
Though Apple Music has gained a large following in recent years, iTunes is still the best music streaming application. With every new update, Apple provides new features and benefits that make it more appealing. In its most recent update, Apple Music received a fresh new look that matches the design of iOS devices.
There are plenty of reasons why we?re in love with iTunes. Our reasons for loving it can range from anything involving the music player, iTunes store, TV Shows & Movies, syncing feature, iTunes U, books or any other services offered by the app. iTunes always has been a jam-packed platform with tools for media consumption that can?t be matched by any of its competitors.
Death of iTunes - Apple segregating its assets
Our love for iTunes makes it difficult to part ways with this beautiful platform. However, Apple released macOS Catalina in October this year which marked the end of Mac Support for iTunes. Though the service will still continue to exist, it will no longer keep up with Apple's pace, thus forcing you to opt-out of it. Instead of iTunes, you'll need to channel yourself to use Apple Podcasts, Apple Music, Apple TV, and the Finder. All the content that you owned, will be segregated in either of these four platforms.
History
I iTunes was introduced in 2001, developing into comprehensive multimedia, hardware sync and e-commerce platform within a decade. Its features and sophisticated management were way ahead of its time, making it one of our favorites. It enabled users to create playlists, manage media, sync content with Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad, iPod and Mac.
Apple is heading towards a new horizon where its shifting strategies align with its premium portfolio which continues to provide the best user experience to date. It is branching out its services so each of them can be optimized to maximize the user experience.
Design
The design of the iTunes store has remained iconic over the years. Over the years, we have seen several interfaces, but at the heart of it, everything feels the same. Although this may change in the future, for now, the look and feel of the iTunes store remains unchanged.
The interface appears unchanged, but it's constantly changing in some way or another. For instance, you would no longer find the button that switches between Store and Library modes.
There is a standard menu on the left rail and prominent buttons at the center such as Library, For You, Browse, Radio and Store.
The content types are accessible via permanent buttons instead of drop-down menus. You can also use the back and forward arrows to navigate back and forth.
Recent upgrades to the software saw amazing changes, including the ability to switch to a mini-player in a breath. Other notable upgrades include the ability to view the CD cover by just hovering the mouse over the album art. The User Icon and Wish List button got ditched on the main window.
Content
With all of the new streaming services and devices on the market, iTunes still isn't perfect. Apple Music keeps up with the latest updates but there are always newer and better options available. For entertainment purposes, iTunes is still a great choice - everything is organized well and there are no ads. You can rent, buy, or download movies or TV shows here easily. The only downside is that it doesn't have an offline feature anymore.
Apple iTunes is a popular destination for users who want to buy, rent, stream and download movies, music, music videos, TV shows, books, and podcasts. Its easy to find and consume content makes iTunes stand out from its competitors.
iCloud
As one of the most innovative features offered by Apple, iCloud is integral to keeping your content accessible across all your devices. Once you authorize the device, you can access the content anywhere you want.
iTunes Extras
The iTunes Extras feature provides behind-the-scenes videos, high-resolution image galleries, short films, and director commentary for movies that are purchased through the iTunes Store. With Apple TV as an integral part of the movie watching experience, any film that is purchased through iTunes generally comes bundled with the Extras feature.
Easy sync
Apple iTunes allows you to sync your data across devices so that you can listen to anything from any of your devices. You can create a playlist and have it played on any of your devices, or choose from a variety of recommendations. No matter what you're in the mood for, Apple has got you covered - I absolutely love it!
Song Previews
Most of us get tired of listening to the same music again and again. We sometimes don't even try new artists because we're afraid of spending a penny on an artist we've never heard of. With Apple Music's Song previews, you get 90-second previews which allow you to decide whether the track is worth spending the money on or not. You can try a couple of tracks from an album and decide if the album is worth it. Sure, you won't generally apply this theory to a Drake or a Post Malone album, but it's a great way to discover up and coming artists.
Family Sharing
You can share your iTunes purchases with up to six members of your family. All of them can download what you have purchased. Additionally, Apple Music allows you to start with a three-month free trial which allows ad-free listening and streaming along with the ability to follow and share songs with your friends.
Excellent Browsing Capabilities
For song and TV shows, you have a few different ways to search. You can choose ?Genres, Top Songs, Recent Purchases?, and even watchlists.
Simple Interface
Although iTunes may seem challenging at first, it's pretty simple to get the hang of once you understand the layout. The interface is clean and modern, making it easy to find your content no matter where you are.
You can sort the content by price, genre, cinema rating - This enhances the browsing experience. The same structure applies to movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, and audiobooks.
Plans & Pricing
After that, the user must choose whether to subscribe to Apple Music or continue using the free service.
iTunes is a free platform, but you need to pay for content if you want to use it. iTunes used to be the ultimate music store, but now there are other platforms that offer more options. For example, Apple Music is a direct competitor of Spotify and Microsoft Groove Music. You can use it for free for 3 months, but after that you have to decide if you want to subscribe and pay for it monthly, or keep using the free service.
After the 90-day trial period ends, it costs around $9.99/per month to continue using Apple music. If you have a family membership that allows up to six users, then you will need to pay around $14.99/per month. Apple also has a student option that requires you to pay $4.99/per month. If you create a playlist, it can be synced across all of your devices. The only shortcoming with Apple music is that a desktop interface is not available.
Suggestions I have for Apple iTunes
I would've loved to see Apple work something out with iTunes itself. But I knew that the success of Apple Music would lead the developers to take a different route. Thus, I'm not shocked and I don't have much to say in this regard.
Conclusion
Apple has been clear about its plans for iTunes for a long time now. The company recognizes that the platform can't keep up with today's more diverse platforms and diversifying its product offerings is the best way to stay unique. Apple Music is extremely fast, similar to the other three-branched out services which show that iTunes as a whole has become lackluster.
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