At Build earlier this year, Microsoft announced that the software giant is working with Apple to bring iTunes to the Microsoft Store. The app was supposed to launch on the Microsoft Store later this year, but there hasn’t been any word regarding the launch ever since the initial announcement. In fact, both the companies–especially Apple–have been quite tight-lipped about this thing.
Today, Apple is finally clearing things up. The company has confirmed that it won’t be releasing iTunes on the Microsoft Store later this year and that it still needs a “little more time” to get things ready. “We have been working with Microsoft to deliver the full iTunes experience to our customers and we need a little more time to get it right,” an Apple spokesperson told Mary Jo Foley. Cupertino declined to disclose the exact reason behind the delay.
Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!
"*" indicates required fields
Apple Music is a core part of the iTunes app for Windows, and with Groove Music Pass set to completely shutdown later this year, launching the app before Christmas would possibly work out well for both the companies. Microsoft did, however, partner with Spotify to transfer Groove Music Pass subscribers, which means it’s possible Apple isn’t too happy with Microsoft’s move. Or maybe it’s just a hard computer science problem.
Plus, Apple is only bringing the existing iTunes app for Windows to the Microsoft Store using Microsoft’s Desktop App Bridge, so it’s not too clear as to why the company is taking outrageously long to release the app.
Stooks
<blockquote><a href="#228041"><em>In reply to MikeGalos:</em></a></blockquote><p>Honestly I can't see how Apple and Microsoft really even compete these days? I don't think Apple ever thinks about Microsoft and what they are doing anymore. Apple is consumer and Microsoft is Enterprise for the most part. Minor overlap but neither threaten each other in those overlap areas.</p><p><br></p><p>Apple has very limited support for Windows users these days. As more and more people move to mobile devices, none of which are Microsoft devices and the cloud the less Apple needs to support Windows.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
Stooks
<blockquote><a href="#228042"><em>In reply to NT6.1:</em></a></blockquote><p>100% agree. Changing directions yet again would just be a complete joke at this point. Not sure which direction is a worse decision.</p>
Stooks
<p>They are waiting for Microsoft to rename the store again. Say Microsoft 365 Store?</p><p><br></p><p>Anyhow why even bother. Current iTunes Win32 works just fine for 99.999% of Windows users. Windows 10 S and the store are a failure at this point.</p><p><br></p><p>Also I do think that Apple within the next 1-2 two years will end of life iTunes. It will be replaced by a new Apple Music app that will allow you to buy Music and any other content will be moved into their host of other apps, none of which are on Windows today or ever will be. (iBooks, TV app, App Store for iOS, TV, Mac etc). If I were Apple I might not even make it for Windows, maybe have a web front end for Windows users at most.</p>
Stooks
<blockquote><a href="#228091"><em>In reply to Waethorn:</em></a></blockquote><p>Google Play Music Web does work well. That said Google digital content is a complete and utter mess. You have…</p><p><br></p><p>Google Play Music – Web/App</p><p>Google Play Video – Web/App</p><p>Google Play Books – Web/App</p><p>YouTube Music – App only?</p><p>YouTube Red – Web/App</p><p>YouTube TV – Web/App?</p><p><br></p><p>Just a tad confusing and lots of rumors of combining some/all. I would not touch any of it until they work it all out….and I will not hold my breath for that to occur anytime soon.</p><p><br></p>
Locust Infested Orchard Inc.
<p>iTunes can go whistle !</p>