macOS 10.15's Music app should retain core iTunes features

While Apple is expected to split iTunes into several apps in macOS 10.15, due sometime this fall, the new Music app will reportedly keep most of iTunes's associated functions.

This includes "smart" playlists, library management, and syncing with iPhones, iPads, and iPods. People should even be able to continue burning and playing CDs, despite the push towards on-demand streaming through Apple Music.

The app will allegedly be based off of AppKit, again like iTunes. Earlier rumors suggested it might rely on Marzipan, Apple's platform for porting iOS apps to the Mac.

The claims stem from "sources familiar with the development of the OS," cited by 9to5Mac.

Other anticipated iTunes spinoffs include Podcasts and TV, the latter important given the upcoming launches of Apple TV Channels and Apple TV+. It's not clear if those will use Marzipan as previously claimed, but that might save Apple developers some work considering the existence of equivalent apps on the iPad.

Mac and Windows users alike have complained about the bloated nature of iTunes, which impacts its speed and interface. A remaining question is whether Apple will split up the software on Windows too.

macOS 10.15 should be previewed at Apple's WWDC 2019 keynote on June 3.

17 Comments

mr. h 4557 comments · 22 Years

About 5 years ago

AppleInsider said:

While Apple is expected to split iTunes into several apps in macOS 10.15, due sometime this fall, the new Music app will reportedly keep most of iTunes's associated functions.

This includes "smart" playlists, library management

Good! And indeed, phew!
and syncing with iPhones, iPads, and iPods.

Not good! Synching of iPhones is where all the bloat started to happen in iTunes. Why should a music app be in charge of synching things with an iPhone or iPad that contains music, movies, photos, loads of other miscellaneous data, and apps? It makes no sense! Apple should have a dedicated iOS <-> macOS sync. app, or use a Music app for synching music, a Videos app (that doesn't currently exist) for synching video files, Photos for synching photos, and the App Store for synching and managing apps.

Eric_WVGG 968 comments · 8 Years

About 5 years ago

Probably just referring to syncing of music libraries and playlists, that's sort of necessary and fundamental.

spice-boy 1450 comments · 8 Years

About 5 years ago

mr. h said:

AppleInsider said:

While Apple is expected to split iTunes into several apps in macOS 10.15, due sometime this fall, the new Music app will reportedly keep most of iTunes's associated functions.

This includes "smart" playlists, library management

Good! And indeed, phew!
and syncing with iPhones, iPads, and iPods.

Not good! Synching of iPhones is where all the bloat started to happen in iTunes. Why should a music app be in charge of synching things with an iPhone or iPad that contains music, movies, photos, loads of other miscellaneous data, and apps? It makes no sense! Apple should have a dedicated iOS <-> macOS sync. app, or use a Music app for synching music, a Videos app (that doesn't currently exist) for synching video files, Photos for synching photos, and the App Store for synching and managing apps.

I totally agree with you however I suspect Apple wants people to see iTunes at every turn to sell content to us.

mike1 3427 comments · 10 Years

About 5 years ago

mr. h said:

and syncing with iPhones, iPads, and iPods.

Not good! Synching of iPhones is where all the bloat started to happen in iTunes. Why should a music app be in charge of synching things with an iPhone or iPad that contains music, movies, photos, loads of other miscellaneous data, and apps? It makes no sense! Apple should have a dedicated iOS <-> macOS sync. app, or use a Music app for synching music, a Videos app (that doesn't currently exist) for synching video files, Photos for synching photos, and the App Store for synching and managing apps.

I don't disagree with separate piece of software for syncing. Just need it to work on Windows too. I do not want cloud backup to be the only option.

cornchip 1943 comments · 11 Years

About 5 years ago

mike1 said:

mr. h said:

and syncing with iPhones, iPads, and iPods.

Not good! Synching of iPhones is where all the bloat started to happen in iTunes. Why should a music app be in charge of synching things with an iPhone or iPad that contains music, movies, photos, loads of other miscellaneous data, and apps? It makes no sense! Apple should have a dedicated iOS <-> macOS sync. app, or use a Music app for synching music, a Videos app (that doesn't currently exist) for synching video files, Photos for synching photos, and the App Store for synching and managing apps.

I don't disagree with separate piece of software for syncing. Just need it to work on Windows too. I do not want cloud backup to be the only option.

This has to be the crux of the matter for Apple. Didn't they at one time have an app called Sync or iSync or something? I seem to remember syncing an old Zire21 using that App. It was in the earlier days of my using Apple products and I recall being a little confused at why they didn't just use that app to do all the syncing. Reminded me of their ImageCapture app. Not fancy, just did it's job.