How iTunes Is Changing on PC

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Apple is splitting iTunes on Windows into separate Apple Music, Apple TV and Apple Devices apps, leaving iTunes primarily as a client for audiobooks and free podcasts if the new apps are installed. Commenters are sharply divided: some welcome the unbundling of what they saw as a bloated, antiquated program, while others value iTunes as a unified hub for local libraries, tagging, backups and device sync and resent being nudged toward streaming services. Many also report that the new Windows apps are buggy or limited, raising concerns about long‑term support for local media management and the iTunes Store, and prompting recommendations for third‑party players and self‑hosted alternatives.

Scope of the iTunes Change on Windows

  • iTunes on Windows is being narrowed to audiobooks and podcasts once Apple Music/TV/Devices apps are installed; otherwise it still handles all media.
  • Many find it bizarre that an app named “iTunes” no longer handles music by default.
  • Unclear how long iTunes will keep full store and sync functionality, especially for users who avoid the new apps.

Branding, App Split, and UX Philosophy

  • Several commenters see Apple’s media branding as confusing: iTunes vs Apple Music vs Apple TV vs Podcasts, plus similarly muddy hardware naming (e.g., iPad line).
  • Some like the split into focused apps (music vs TV vs podcasts/audiobooks), arguing iTunes was an over-bloated “do everything” monster.
  • Others preferred a single media hub and view the proliferation of nearly-identical apps as clutter with minimal user benefit.
  • On macOS, sandboxed Catalyst replacements are criticized for forcing media onto system drives and removing older power-user conveniences.

App Quality and Reliability

  • Strong criticism of Apple Music and TV apps on both Windows and macOS: slow, buggy, poor search and playback behavior, broken queue management, and sync issues.
  • Some users can’t get Apple Music for Windows to play anything or to authenticate properly with 2FA/security keys.
  • A minority report the new Windows apps feel lighter and more native than old iTunes.

Podcasts vs Music

  • Debate over whether podcasts should live in the same app as music.
  • Pro-separation camp cites specialized needs: subscriptions, rich metadata, chapters, playback speed, skip controls, and discovery.
  • Others want a single audio app and blame Spotify for normalizing the “all-in-one” expectation—even as many criticize Spotify’s podcast UI and aggressive promotion.

Local Libraries, Backups, and Alternatives

  • Many still use iTunes primarily for local collections, ID3 editing, iPod/iPhone syncing, and LAN “home sharing,” and fear gradual capability loss.
  • Numerous alternatives are suggested for local playback and tagging (e.g., foobar2000, VLC, MusicBee, MediaMonkey, Strawberry, Jellyfin, Plexamp, Cider, Overcast/Pocket Casts).
  • Some run NAS-based setups to avoid streaming DRM and subscriptions, rebuilding libraries from CDs/FLAC.

Device and Photo Management

  • iTunes/Apple Devices on Windows remain important for backups, recovery mode, and non-cloud workflows.
  • Copying large photo libraries from iPhone to Windows is widely reported as unstable; users share workarounds (settings changes, third‑party tools, Linux utilities, cloud sync).