Music (software)
Music (alternatively called the Music app; formerly iPod) is a media player application developed for the iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and macOS operating systems by Apple Inc.[1] It can play music files stored locally on devices, as well as stream from the iTunes Store and Apple Music.
Developer(s) | Apple Inc. |
---|---|
Initial release | iOS:
|
Stable release | macOS: 1.0.0.426
/ October 7, 2019 |
Operating system | iOS 5 and later watchOS (all versions) tvOS (all versions) iPadOS (all versions) macOS Catalina and later Android Lollipop and later |
Predecessor | iPod (iOS) iTunes (macOS) |
License | Freeware |
The iOS version was introduced with iOS 5 on October 12, 2011, replacing the iPod app.[2] It was included in the initial releases of tvOS, watchOS, and iPadOS. It was released with macOS Catalina on October 7, 2019 as one of three applications created to replace iTunes.[3] The Music app is differentiated from iTunes by its concentration on streaming media and lesser focus on the iTunes Store, where content may be purchased outright.
iOS, tvOS, and watchOS versions
The Music app on iOS was preceded by the iPod app, initially released in iPhone OS 1. It was renamed Music with the release of iOS 5 on October 12, 2011. It was updated with a redesign and functionality for Apple Music with iOS 8.4 in 2015. It is a standard app on CarPlay.
The Music app is available on 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TVs to stream music purchased from the iTunes Store or synced with iTunes Match, but was never updated with support for Apple Music. Apple Music support was added in the tvOS version on the 4th generation Apple TV in early November 2015.[4]
The Music app has been included in every version of watchOS on the Apple Watch. Music can be downloaded directly to an Apple Watch for use without a paired iPhone.[5]
macOS version
The Music app on macOS was preceded by the iTunes app launched on January 9, 2001.[6][7] Video support within the iTunes app was enabled in May 2005; podcast and books support followed in June 2005 and January 2010, respectively. By the 2010s, the application had been criticized for software bloat with features that extended well beyond the original scope of music.[8]
Apple announced at the 2019 Worldwide Developers Conference that iTunes would be replaced with the specific Music, Podcasts, and TV applications with the release of macOS Catalina.[9] Apple describes the Music app as a "music streaming experience,"[1] whereas the company described iTunes as a digital library and online music store.[10] Previous iTunes versions designed for older macOS versions, as well as iTunes for Windows, will remain unaffected. Music, TV shows and movies, and podcasts on the iTunes Store will be accessible through the Music, TV, and Podcasts apps, respectively, compared to the standalone iTunes Store app that is featured on iOS.[11]
Android
Music was released for devices running Android Lollipop and later on November 10, 2015, where it is referred to as Apple Music. It marked the first time music from the iTunes Store was available on non-Apple devices other than iTunes on Microsoft Windows and on the Rokr E1 during a brief partnership with Motorola in 2005.[12][13]
References
- "macOS Catalina – Apple". Apple Inc. June 3, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
Presenting Apple Music on Mac – the new Music app is the ultimate music streaming experience on Mac.
- "The 5 best features in Apple's iOS 5". PCWorld. 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
- Chen, Brian X.; Nicas, Jick (June 3, 2019). "Apple's WWDC Highlights: Death of iTunes and $6,000 Macs". The New York Times. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- "Apple Music coming to the new Apple TV next week". Macworld. 2015-10-27. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
- Kopaczewski, Christine. "How to add music and other audio to your Apple Watch and listen to it from the watch". Business Insider. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
- "Apple Introduces iTunes – World's Best and Easiest To Use Jukebox Software". Apple Inc. January 9, 2001. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- "Apple Launches the iTunes Music Store". Apple Inc. April 28, 2003. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- Manjoo, Farhad (November 29, 2012). "Won't Someone Take iTunes Out Back and Shoot It?". Slate. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- Murphy Kelly, Samantha (June 3, 2019). "RIP iTunes as we know it. Apple breaks up iconic music platform". CNN. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- "iTunes – Apple". Apple Inc. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
iTunes is the best way to organize and enjoy the music, movies, and TV shows you already have – and shop for the ones you want.
- Spangler, Todd (June 3, 2019). "Apple's iTunes Store, iTunes App for Windows Aren't Going Away". Variety. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- Kastrenakes, Jacob (2015-11-10). "Apple Music launches on Android". The Verge. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
- "Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs unveils Rokr E1, the first iTunes phone". Cult of Mac. 2019-09-07. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
External links
- Take Control of macOS Media Apps guide by Kirk McElhearn