Apple’s ‘reimagined’ Music app is here following now-defunct iTunes

The long-awaited breakup of iTunes has finally happened.

As reported by TMN in June, music, TV shows, movies, podcasts, and audiobooks are now split into separate apps.

Consumers have long accepted that after 18 years, iTunes had become bloated and well past its use-by date.

There’ll obviously be some grumbles about the removal of some features, UI changes and the change in priority to streaming over buying music.

But testers of the Music app during Catalina beta period – there were eleven beta periods, which is why it’s taken so long to arrive – found it a more enjoyable experience than iTunes.

It was faster and more reliable with playback.

The 50 million Apple Music tracks remain, personal collections stay the same when updated – even ripped CDs, MP3s and playlists.

Also Read: Forget Napster, it was iTunes that held the record industry to ransom [op-ed]

Apple has now released macOS Catalina to the general public.

In a highly recommended analysis of all the post-iTunes apps, MacStories editor John Voorhees writes, “iTunes started life as a music player in January 2001 before there was an iPod or iTunes Store for purchasing music.

“The Music app is a return to those roots but reimagined for Apple’s music streaming service.

“Purchased music is still available, and you can even rip, mix, and burn CDs for when you need to drop a funk bomb, but that type of functionality has been tucked away out of sight in favour of streaming.”

A new feature called Sidecar allows users to turn their iPad into a second display, a boost for music lovers and musicians.

Catalina may have replaced iTunes, but Apple is at pains to point out that version 12.8 still exists as a download for early macOS versions, and version 12.9.4 still exists for PCs.

In a separate issue concerning Apple and music, the tech giant has begun talks with record companies about bundling Apple Music with its new TV service.

But the music biz is concerned, as bundling would decrease the value of music, and may not increase revenue.