AppleInsider Staff
Apple is supposedly on the verge of launching a new first-party app for Microsoft's Windows 10, a move that could see the tech giant replace iTunes with standalone streaming apps.
Without citing sources, Italian blog Aggiornamenti Lumia in a tweet last week appears to claim an Apple-branded app will soon debut on Microsoft's online storefront.
"A new Apple app coming soon to the Microsoft Store?" the cryptic tweet reads.
Aggiornamenti Lumia has no track record when it comes to predicting Apple product launches.
Late last year, a job listing on LinkedIn revealed Apple was looking to hire a software engineer who would work on the "next generation" of media apps for Windows. According to the post, Apple sought an individual with Universal Windows Platform (UWP) experience. The API, introduced alongside Windows 10, allows developers to write and deploy software for use on Windows 10, Xbox One and HoloLens.
Currently, Apple's Windows app offerings consist of iTunes and iCloud, the former of which was dismantled on Mac with macOS Catalina.
Instead of one overarching, bloated app, Apple split its streaming services and content collection apps into multiple properties — Apple Music, TV, Podcasts and Books. Device management features previously integrated into iTunes likewise migrated to Mac's Finder.
On Windows, however, iTunes is still the only official content management hub for iPhone and iPad owners. Further, the app acts as an access portal for Apple Music subscribers. Windows users can stream Apple Music and Apple TV+ content on the web, though Apple has yet to release dedicated software for doing the same on Microsoft's operating system. That could change in the near future.
9to5Mac reported on the tweet earlier today.
Whether Apple plans to issue new Windows apps for its various subscription products remains unclear, though the company is pushing hard to build out a booming services business.
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
1 Comment
Sounds good. An Apple app with iTunes, Music and TV+ bundled.
Funny because this is "bloated" iTunes all over again, yet I preferred it that way. The UI just sucked. Now everything is separate and some apps were a dumb move like "Apple Podcasts". Even though iTunes handles audio and Apple invented Podcasts for iTunes. Now we have millions of podcasts spanning 15 years saying "subscribe to us on iTunes" !!