ITunes

Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:About Template:Pp-move Template:Lowercase title Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox software Template:MacOS topics iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the Windows (and formerly macOS) operating systems, and can be used to rip songs from CDs as well as to play content from dynamic playlists. It includes options for sound optimization and wireless sharing.

iTunes was announced by Apple CEO Steve Jobs on January 9, 2001. Its original and main focus was music, with a library offering organization and storage of Mac users' music collections. With the 2003 addition of the iTunes Store for purchasing and downloading digital music, and a Windows version of the program, it became an ubiquitous tool for managing music and configuring other features on Apple's line of iPod media players, which extended to the iPhone and iPad upon their introduction. From 2005 on, Apple expanded its core music features with support for digital video, podcasts, e-books, and mobile apps purchased from the iOS App Store. The release of iOS 5 in 2011 made these devices less dependent on iTunes, though it could still be used to back up their contents.

Though well received in its early years, iTunes received increasing criticism for a bloated user experience with the incorporation of non-music features. Beginning with Macs running macOS Catalina, iTunes was replaced by separate apps, namely Music, Podcasts, and TV, with Finder taking over device management capabilities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This change did not affect iTunes running on Windows or older macOS versions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In February 2024, most features of iTunes for Windows were split into the Apple TV, Music, and Apple Devices apps. iTunes is still used for podcasts and audiobooks as there is currently no Windows version of Apple Podcasts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Template:See also SoundJam MP, released by Casady & Greene in 1999, was renamed "iTunes" when Apple purchased it the next year. The primary developers of the software moved to Apple as part of the acquisition, and simplified SoundJam's user interface, added the ability to burn CDs, and removed its recording feature and skin support.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The first version of iTunes, promotionally dubbed "World's Best and Easiest To Use Jukebox Software",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> was announced on January 9, 2001.<ref name="History">Template:Cite web</ref> Subsequent releases of iTunes often coincided with new hardware devices, and gradually included support for new features, including "smart playlists", the iTunes Store, and new audio formats.<ref name="History" />

Platform availability

Apple released iTunes for Windows on October 16, 2003.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On April 26, 2018, iTunes was released on Microsoft Store for Windows 10,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> primarily to allow it to be installed on Windows 10 devices configured to only allow installation of software from Microsoft Store.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Unlike Windows versions for other platforms, it is more self-contained due to technical requirements for distribution on the store (not installing background helper services such as Bonjour), and is updated automatically through the store rather than using Apple Software Update.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The role of iTunes has been replaced with independent apps, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple Books, and Apple TV; with iPhone, iPod, and iPad management integrated into the Finder starting with macOS 10.15 Catalina, and appearing as Apple Devices starting with Windows 10.<ref name="appledevices2024">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="appledevicesverge2024">Template:Cite web</ref>

Music library

iTunes features a music library. Each track has attributes, called metadata, that can be edited by the user, including changing the name of the artist, album, and genre, year of release, artwork, among other additional settings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The software supports importing digital audio tracks that can then be transferred to iOS devices,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as well as supporting ripping content from CDs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> iTunes supports WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, AAC, and MP3 audio formats.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It uses the Gracenote music database to provide track name listings for audio CDs. When users rip content from a CD, iTunes attempts to match songs to the Gracenote service. For self-published CDs, or those from obscure record labels, iTunes would normally only list tracks as numbered entries ("Track 1" and "Track 2") on an unnamed album by an unknown artist, requiring manual input of data.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File metadata is displayed in users' libraries in columns, including album, artist, genre, composer, and more.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Users can enable or disable different columns, as well as change view settings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Special playlists

Introduced in 2004,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "Party Shuffle" selected tracks to play randomly from the library, though users could press a button to skip a song and go to the next in the list.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The feature was later renamed "iTunes DJ",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> before being discontinued altogether, replaced by a simpler "Up Next" feature that notably lost some of "iTunes DJ"'s functionality.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Introduced in iTunes 8 in 2008, "Template:Visible anchor" can automatically generate a playlist of songs from the user's library that "go great together".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "Genius" transmits information about the user's library to Apple anonymously, and evolves over time to enhance its recommendation system. It can also suggest purchases to fill out "holes" in the library.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The feature was updated with iTunes 9 in 2009 to offer "Genius Mixes", which generated playlists based on specific music genres.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

"Smart playlists" are a set of playlists that can be set to automatically filter the library based on a customized list of selection criteria, much like a database query. Multiple criteria can be entered to manage the smart playlist.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Selection criteria examples include a genre like Christmas music, songs that have not been played recently, or songs the user has listened to the most in a time period.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Library sharing

Through a "Home Sharing" feature, users can share their iTunes library wirelessly.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Computer firewalls must allow network traffic, and users must specifically enable sharing in the iTunes preferences menu. iOS applications also exist that can transfer content without Internet.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additionally, users can set up a network-attached storage system, and connect to that storage system through an app.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sound processing

iTunes includes sound processing features, such as equalization, "sound enhancement" and crossfade. There is also a feature called Template:Visible anchor, which normalizes the playback volume of all songs in the library to the same level.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Online music functionality

iTunes Store

Introduced on April 28, 2003, The iTunes Music Store allows users to buy and download songs, with 200,000 tracks available at launch. In its first week, customers bought more than one million songs.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Music purchased was protected by FairPlay, an encryption layer referred to as digital rights management (DRM).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The use of DRM, which limited devices capable of playing purchased files,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> sparked efforts to remove the protection mechanism.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Eventually, after an open letter to the music industry by CEO Steve Jobs in February 2007,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Apple introduced a selection of DRM-free music in the iTunes Store in April 2007,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> followed by its entire music catalog without DRM in January 2009.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

iTunes in the Cloud and iTunes Match

In June 2011, Apple announced "iTunes in the Cloud", in which music purchases were stored on Apple's servers and made available for automatic downloading on new devices. For music the user owns, such as content ripped from CDs, the company introduced "iTunes Match", a feature that can upload content to Apple's servers, match it to its catalog, change the quality to 256 kbit/s AAC format, and make it available to other devices.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Internet radio, iTunes Radio and Apple Music

When iTunes was first released, it came with support for the Kerbango Internet radio tuner service.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In June 2013, the company announced iTunes Radio, a free music streaming service.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In June 2015, Apple announced Apple Music, a subscription-based music streaming service, and subsequently integrated iTunes Radio functionality. Music tracks provided by Apple Music via iTunes are available at up to 256 kbit/s AAC fidelity. The Apple Music app also integrates Apple Music 1, a live music radio station.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Phasing out

As of 2024, Apple is phasing out iTunes in favour of three dedicated apps, Music, Podcasts, and TV, but the iTunes Store will still remain.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Other features

Video

In May 2005, video support was introduced to iTunes with the release of iTunes 4.8,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> though it was limited to bonus features part of album purchases.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following October, Apple introduced iTunes 6, enabling support for purchasing and viewing video content purchased from the iTunes Store.<ref name="Movies in store" /> At launch, the store offered popular shows from the ABC network, including Desperate Housewives and Lost, along with Disney Channel series That's So Raven and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. CEO Steve Jobs told the press that "We're doing for video what we've done for music — we're making it easy and affordable to purchase and download, play on your computer, and take with you on your iPod."<ref name="Movies in store">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2008, Apple and select film studios introduced "iTunes Digital Copy", a feature on select DVDs and Blu-ray discs allowing a digital copy in iTunes and associated media players.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Podcasts

The icon used by Apple to represent a podcast

In June 2005, Apple updated iTunes with support for podcasts.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref name="Podcasts how-to">Template:Cite web</ref> Users can subscribe to podcasts, change update frequency, define how many episodes to download and how many to delete.<ref name="Podcasts how-to" />

Similar to songs, "Smart playlists" can be used to control podcasts in a playlist, setting criteria such as date and number of times listened to.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Apple is credited for being the major catalyst behind the early growth of podcasting.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Apps

On July 10, 2008, Apple introduced native mobile apps for its iOS operating system. On iOS, a dedicated App Store application served as the storefront for browsing, downloading, updating, and otherwise managing applications, whereas iTunes on computers had a dedicated section for apps rather than a separate app.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In September 2017, Apple updated iTunes to version 12.7, removing the App Store section in the process.<ref name="cutting the bloat">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> iTunes 12.6.3 was released the following month, retaining App Store functionality, with 9to5Mac noting that the secondary release was positioned by Apple as "necessary for some businesses performing internal app deployments".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

iTunes U

In May 2007, Apple announced the launch of "iTunes U" via the iTunes Store, which delivers university lectures from top U.S. colleges.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With iTunes version 12.7 in August 2017, iTunes U collections became a part of the Podcasts app.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On June 10, 2020, Apple formally announced that iTunes U would be discontinued at the end of 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Apple mobile device connectivity

iTunes was required to activate early iPhone and iPad devices. Beginning with the iPhone 3G in June 2008, activation did not require iTunes, making use of activation at point of sale.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later iPhone models are able to be activated and set-up on their own, without requiring the use of iTunes.

iTunes also allows users to backup and restore the content of their Apple mobile devices, such as music, photos, videos, ringtones and device settings,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and restore the firmware of their devices. However, as of iTunes 12.7, apps can no longer be purchased and installed using iTunes.<ref name=":0" />

Ping

With the release of iTunes 10 in September 2010, Apple announced iTunes Ping, which CEO Steve Jobs described as "social music discovery". It had features reminiscent of Facebook, including profiles and the ability to follow other users.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Ping was discontinued in September 2012.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Criticism

Security

The Telegraph reported in November 2011 that Apple had been aware of a security vulnerability since 2008 that would let unauthorized third parties install "updates" to users' iTunes software. Apple fixed the issue before the TelegraphTemplate:'s report and told the media that "The security and privacy of our users is extremely important", though this was questioned by security researcher Brian Krebs, who told the publication that "A prominent security researcher warned Apple about this dangerous vulnerability in mid-2008, yet the company waited more than 1,200 days to fix the flaw."<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Software bloat

iTunes has been repeatedly accused of being bloated as part of Apple's efforts to turn it from a music player to an all-encompassing multimedia platform.<ref name="cutting the bloat" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Former PC World editor Ed Bott accused the company of hypocrisy in its advertising attacks on Windows for similar practices.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• Apple Music
• Apple Music Festival
• AirPlay
• Digital distribution
• List of audio conversion software
• Comparison of audio player software
• Music visualization

External links

• Template:Official website