Is Apple dismantling iTunes?

Reports out of the US suggest that Apple may be breaking up iTunes and spinning off Apple Music, podcasts and books as stand-alones.

This is according to 9 To Five Mac and  a series of tweets by software developer Steve Troughton-Smith.

https://twitter.com/stroughtonsmith/status/1114261872029700098

Troughton-Smith claimed:  “I am now fairly confident based on evidence I don’t wish to make public at this point that Apple is planning new (likely UIKit) Music, Podcasts, perhaps even Books, apps for macOS, to join the new TV app.

“I expect the four to be the next wave of Marzipan apps…”

Project Marzipan is the working title for a venture to make it easier for developers to transfer iOS apps to the macOS platform.

Troughton-Smith didn’t cite his sources but his previous leaks have proven true.

It would make sense as it would be easier to promote and monetise content on these potential stand-alones.

In any case, it’s generally agreed that iTunes needs to be dismantled because it had become too bloated with too many responsibilities over the past 18 years.

These included the management of iPhone and iPod, podcasts, movies, audiobooks and the upcoming TV service.

Troughton-Smith declared, “Yes, this means the much-discussed and long-awaited break up of iTunes. Finally!”

But he says iTunes for Windows will remain a “legacy app for some time.”

This means that users can still access content they own but not rent (that is, stream) them.

All eyes will be on the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 3 if that’s where Apple officially makes the announcement