The arrival of Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices applications for Windows signals a potential conclusion to the era of iTunes.
Following an extensive period of preview and testing, Apple has officially introduced the Apple Music, Apple Devices, and Apple TV applications for PC, aiming to steer Windows users away from iTunes. But does this signify the definitive demise of iTunes?
For users operating on Windows 10 and later, all three standalone applications are now accessible for download, offering a seamless management experience of their Apple ecosystem on Windows machines. With the installation of these apps, iTunes becomes relegated solely for accessing audiobooks and podcasts, albeit without deleting the existing iTunes library.
While users on older versions of Windows can still utilize iTunes, the shift towards these new applications suggests a gradual phasing out of support for the iTunes platform.
Apple’s move to introduce separate platforms for its services on Windows mirrors the functionality already present on Mac systems, a transition first announced by Microsoft in October 2022.
Initially launched as preview versions in January of the previous year, the standalone Apple Devices, Apple Music, and Apple TV applications have undergone regular updates. With their official launch, they shed the “preview” label, indicating their readiness for full-fledged use on Windows systems.
The Apple Music app facilitates listening to and managing music libraries and purchases from the iTunes Store, while the Apple TV app allows users to watch and organize TV shows and movies from iTunes, along with access to Apple’s streaming services like Apple Music and Apple TV+. The Apple Devices app empowers Windows users to manage, update, backup, and restore their iPhones and iPads, as well as synchronize content from their PCs.
