Apple Reportedly Bringing Apple Music, Apple TV Apps to the Mac

Apple is reportedly working on bringing standalone applications for Apple Music, Apple TV, Podcasts, and Books to the Mac this year. The company already allows users to access their Apple Music and Apple TV content through iTunes, but it will now introduce dedicated apps for both the services.

Developer Steve Troughton-Smith ‏first stated that Cupertino is planning to bring the new apps to the Mac with the next major version of macOS. 9to5Mac today confirmed the rumor, sharing further details about Apple’s plans.

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Apple will introduce the new apps with macOS 10.15, and it will be using its Marzipan tech that it used to bring some iOS apps to the Mac in the past. This is the same system Apple plans to open up to developers to allow them to bring their own iOS apps to the Mac.

Apple also plans to redesign the Books app. “The new Books app will have a sidebar similar to the News app on the Mac, it will also feature a narrower title bar with different tabs for the Library, Book Store, and Audiobook Store. On the library tab, the sidebar will list the user’s Books, Audiobooks, PDFs and other collections, including custom ones,” 9to5Mac reported.

Using Marzipan, Apple will be able to offer an iOS-like experience for things like Apple Music, and the new Apple TV on the Mac. That will still be an improvement over iTunes on the Mac, to be honest. Apple isn’t completely getting rid of iTunes, however, and it will stick around for some more time as the new Apple Music app won’t have syncing capabilities for Apple devices.

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Conversation 16 comments

  • red.radar

    Premium Member
    10 April, 2019 - 11:29 am

    <p>Interesting. I understand Itunes will stay around.. but I wonder how things will change in the future</p><p><br></p>

  • warren

    10 April, 2019 - 12:04 pm

    <p>The iOS apps that Apple brought over to Mojave are all pretty poor. They feel like web applications, not proper Mac apps that lean into the platform's classic strengths. If they're going to keep going down this path, I think we're going to see a lot of unhappy Mac users.</p>

    • Ron Diaz

      10 April, 2019 - 12:34 pm

      <blockquote>Why? It’s better to not have any app at all?</blockquote><p><br></p>

      • skane2600

        10 April, 2019 - 4:29 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#419718">In reply to Hypnotoad:</a></em></blockquote><p>If you can access the service through the web on your Mac, does the app add any value? I think it's a bit like UWP apps on Windows. The time and energy used to create redundant capabilities could have been used to create something new.</p>

    • curtisspendlove

      10 April, 2019 - 4:12 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#419714">In reply to warren:</a></em></blockquote><p>I don’t think most modern Mac users really care. And I expect the majority of current Mac users are IOS-first anyway. </p><p><br></p><p>So as long as the translation layer works a bit better than it does now, I’m guessing most Mac users will prefer more iOS-like apps on their Macs. </p><p><br></p><p>I should probably say “mainstream” Mac users, instead of “most”. </p>

      • skane2600

        10 April, 2019 - 4:25 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#419781">In reply to curtisspendlove:</a></em></blockquote><p>Why would an iOS-first individual bother with a Mac? Don't most people who buy a Mac do so specifically because iOS is inadequate for their needs?</p>

        • curtisspendlove

          11 April, 2019 - 7:26 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#419795">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>I meant “iOS-first” in respect to the people who bought a Mac due to having owned an iOS device (often referred to as “halo effect”). </p><p><br></p><p>I didn't intend to infer people that are trying to use iOS as a primary “computer replacement”. I agree, in that regard, I don’t think there are really that many people trying to force a mobile device to be a laptop or desktop replacement. And those people will likely, pointedly not have a Mac (or other traditional computer). </p><p><br></p><p>And those that can get away with just a phone or tablet don’t need a Mac (or PC) anymore. </p><p><br></p><p>So yeah, I think the current trend is away from traditional computing. In that regard, I don’t think most mainstream Mac users will care if the “Marzipan” apps aren’t strictly-adhering to traditional Mac Human Interface Guidelines. </p><p><br></p><p>They’ll just be happy to be able to fire up a similar app to what is on their phone / tablet and not think too much about it. </p>

  • jc91

    10 April, 2019 - 2:03 pm

    <p>Wonder if they will do the same thing for windows. I hate iTunes.</p>

    • curtisspendlove

      10 April, 2019 - 4:13 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#419740">In reply to jc91:</a></em></blockquote><p>Doubtful. I expect all of this is a direct result of the “Marzipan” framework growing up into its teenage years. </p>

    • mattbg

      Premium Member
      10 April, 2019 - 7:27 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#419740">In reply to jc91:</a></em></blockquote><p>Not saying they would, but I’d be less surprised if they made Windows versions today than I would have been 3 years ago.</p><p><br></p><p>If they want to take their services truly cross-platform then having Windows onside may be important. Even if it’s a PWA.</p><p><br></p><p>I’m a big iOS user but a Mac is a bridge too far. It’s way too expensoive. I can use Plex and Netflix on my PC. I can use Spotify on my PC.</p><p><br></p><p>I can’t access Apple News+ (which I am otherwise growing to like quite a bit) on my PC and laptop. I can access iTunes barely (it is a piece). I likely won’t be able to access TV+.</p><p><br></p><p>It’s quite jarring to keep noticing that I can’t access News+ on my PC seeing as it’s largely content that is in a web-friendly format.</p>

      • curtisspendlove

        11 April, 2019 - 7:18 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#419827">In reply to mattbg:</a></em></blockquote><p>I think it would be much more likely for them to build out web versions if they wish to target additional platforms. </p><p><br></p><p>I’m on the fence whether they will do so, or if they simply consider Apple TV to be mostly where they want it (with the smart TV, Roku, etc deals). </p><p><br></p><p>I don't think Apple News is used on enough non-Apple devices to warrant an effort to bring it to Windows or Android. I’m skeptical of seeing a web version of it. </p>

    • dontbe evil

      11 April, 2019 - 3:06 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#419740">In reply to jc91:</a></em></blockquote><p>iTunes (together with the iPod) were the worst piece of crap of SW I ever used … I gave app and sold the iPod (it was a present and it was the first and last apple device for me)</p>

      • fbman

        11 April, 2019 - 6:05 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#419869">In reply to dontbe_evil:</a></em></blockquote><p>Agreed. I have iTunes on my pc.. buggy mess ..don’t use it. My iPad was last connected to my pc like 2 years ago. My iPhone has never being connected.</p><p><br></p><p>No no need to.. content I download directly from iTunes Store/book store etc. any work I do in ms office, saved straight to onedrive . Photos are just uploaded straight to onedrive. Even Lightroom mobile saves to adobe cloud. Firefox account saves my bookmarks etc. </p>

  • curtisspendlove

    10 April, 2019 - 4:17 pm

    <p>Dear iTunes:</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to the Utilities folder. :)</p><p><br></p><p>Much Love,</p><p>Bootcamp Assistant App</p>

  • Tony Barrett

    11 April, 2019 - 2:40 am

    <p>Not being a Mac or iOS user, I rarely come into contact with iTunes… thankfully. It is, without a doubt, one of the most horrible bits of software ever coded. The two times I had to try and use it – not out of choice – I was literally pulling my hair out. Never again.</p>

  • dontbe evil

    11 April, 2019 - 3:04 am

    <p>time to try to get more money…after iDevices fails</p>

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