apple.com/itunes
Apple iTunes is an iconic platform which is nearing its expiration date. From its native marketing to its ability to hold a massive amount of data, iTunes was at the center of Apple's dominance in the world of technology. Apple iTunes as a streaming service has been a one-stop-shop for users wanting to stream, download movies, TV shows, books, podcasts and listen to internet radio.
Though Apple Music has enjoyed recent successes, the tried and trusted iTunes application remains the superior choice. With each update, Apple Music offers something new and exciting. In its most recent update, the app received a visual overhaul that better matched iOS versions.
There are many reasons why we love iTunes. Our reasons range from using the music player, the iTunes store, watching TV shows and movies, syncing features, using iTunes U, reading books or other services. iTunes has always had tools for media consumption that are unmatched by any of its competitors.
Death of iTunes - Apple segregating its assets
We have a love for iTunes that makes it hard to part ways with the platform. However, in October of this year, Apple introduced macOS Catalina 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 using iTunes, you'll need to channel yourself to use Apple Podcasts, Apple Music, Apple TV, and the Finder. All the content that you own will be segregated in either of these four platforms.
History
It also allowed users to buy, rent and download music and videos.
In 2001, iTunes was introduced as a music player. Over the next decade, it became a comprehensive multimedia platform with sophisticated management features that were ahead of their time. This is why it stole our hearts. With iTunes, users could create playlists, manage media, sync content with Apple devices, and purchase, rent and download music and videos.
All of us can see that Apple is heading in a new direction. 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 throughout the years, with a consistent user interface that all feels the same.
The interface always manages to remain familiar with its neutral tone but keeps getting upgraded in one way or the other. For instance, you would no longer find the button which switched Store and Library modes.
A standard menu is presented with left rail content selector buttons at the center, such as Library, For You, Browse, Radio and Store.
The content types can be accessed via permanent buttons rather than drop-down menus. You can also find back and forward arrows which can help you navigate back and forth.
The recent upgrades to the software saw amazing changes, such that you can 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, and the deletion of the User Icon and Wish List button on the main window.
Content
Despite the improvements made to iTunes, it still falls short compared to other options available. Its functions are limited and it cannot keep up with the rapid changes in the entertainment industry. However, it is still a convenient way to keep yourself entertained with its well-organized library of music, movies, and TV shows. For purchasing or renting content, iTunes has you covered with its variety of options. last but not least, iTunes has dropped support for offline mode which is a shame.
The Apple iTunes store has been a popular destination for users who want to buy, rent, stream, and download movies, music, music videos, TV shows, books, and podcasts. It is the ease of finding and consuming content that sets iTunes apart from its competitors.
iCloud
Apple's iCloud offers an innovative feature that integrates iTunes with it for a long time. This means that the content you purchase on your mobile device easily becomes available across other devices, such as your Mac or PC. 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 you purchase through the iTunes Store. With the set-top appliance Apple TV, this viewing experience has been an integral part of the iTunes movie library. These days, any movie that you buy through iTunes comes with Extras.
Easy sync
Apple iTunes enables users to synchronize data between devices. Users can create playlists and listen to them from any of their devices. From a relaxing classic instrumental to a heart-pounding workout beat, users can listen to anything. Even if users are not sure of what they want to hear, Apple's recommendation system provides suggestions - I simply love it.
Song Previews
We usually get tired of listening to the same music again and again. We don't even try new artists because we don't want to spend a penny on an artist we haven't 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 family members. 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 TV shows, you can filter by genre, network and seasons. You can also compare individual episodes or entire seasons. Finally, for songs, you can select from a variety of features including lyrics, music history, playlists and ratings.
There are many different ways to search for content on iTunes. For movies alone, you can choose from a variety of options such as "New and Noteworthy", "selection for kids", "4K movies", "bundles" and "movie series". You can also refer to the chart to learn what's popular. For TV shows, you can filter by genre, network and seasons. You can also compare individual episodes or entire seasons. Finally, for songs, you can select from a variety of features including lyrics, music history, playlists and ratings.
Simple Interface
If you are new to iTunes, it may initially seem a bit challenging. However, with a clear and user-friendly interface, you can access content quickly and easily.
You can sort the content by price, genre, cinema rating - An option that enhances the browsing experience. Similar to movies, TV shows, music, and audiobooks have a structured format.
Plans & Pricing
After that, it charges $9.99/month.
The iTunes platform is free to use, but the content available on the platform must be rented or bought. In contrast to its past practice, where iTunes was the ultimate store, now we have to study Apple's plans and pricing based upon independent services. For instance, Apple Music - its most popular service - is a direct competitor of Spotify and Microsoft Groove Music. Unlike other music streaming services which ask for monthly fees, Apple allows its users to experience its services for free for 3 months after which it charges $9.99/month.
Apple charges $9.99/month for its music streaming service, after a 90-day trial period. If you have a family membership that allows up to six users, then you will need to pay around $14.99/month. Apple also offers a student option that requires you to pay $4.99/month. Any playlist that you create can be synced across all devices, but there is no desktop interface available with Apple Music.
Suggestions I have for Apple iTunes
If Apple had worked something out with iTunes itself, I would have loved to see it. But I knew that the success of Apple Music would lead the developers to take a different route, so I'm not surprised and I don't have anything much to say in this regard.
Conclusion
Apple has made it clear for quite some time now that they see iTunes as no longer being up to date with the current platforms and diversifying their product line-up will be the best way to stay unique. With Apple Music being incredibly fast in comparison to the other three separate services, this indicates that iTunes as an entire entity has become lagging behind.
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