iTunes music absolutely still exists in 2023, though it has undergone some major changes in recent years. iTunes was originally launched by Apple in 2001 as a media player and library for organizing and playing digital music and videos. Over the years, iTunes expanded to include many more features like podcasts, audiobooks, mobile device management, and more. While iTunes is not as dominant in the music space as it once was, it continues to be an important platform for purchasing, downloading, and organizing music libraries.
Brief History of iTunes
Here is a brief overview of the history and evolution of iTunes:
- Launched in 2001 as a digital music player and library for organizing MP3s and other audio files
- Added support for purchasing songs and albums in 2003 via the iTunes Store
- Video support added in 2005, allowing purchase and playback of movies, TV shows and more
- Podcast support added in 2005
- Mobile sync features introduced to manage music, videos, and data on iPods and other Apple devices
- App Store launched in 2008, allowing iOS app downloads and installs through iTunes
- iBooks ebook store added in 2010
- Apple Music streaming service added in 2015
- Lossless Audio launched in 2021
While iTunes has remained available on Mac and Windows computers over the years, it has become less of a focus for Apple as streaming has become the dominant form of music consumption. However, it still offers unique features and serves as the gateway to syncing media onto Apple devices for many users.
Can You Still Purchase Music on iTunes?
Yes, absolutely. While streaming now dominates music consumption, you can still purchase and download individual songs, albums, compilation albums, and more on the iTunes Store.
Some of the purchase options include:
- Individual songs for $0.99 to $1.29
- Full albums starting at around $7.99
- 90 second previews of songs to sample before buying
- Complete discographies of many top artists
- New releases and exclusives
- Soundtracks, compilations, remixes, and more
One of the benefits of purchasing music on iTunes is that you own the downloads indefinitely and can replay them as often as you want. Purchased music can be downloaded and synced across multiple devices. High quality 256kbps AAC files are provided on music purchases.
iTunes also offers occasional exclusive releases that are only available for purchase on their store. So for fans looking to own certain albums or songs forever, purchasing on iTunes is still an option.
Can You Still Stream Music on iTunes?
Along with music purchases, iTunes also supports music streaming through Apple Music. Apple Music is a subscription streaming service with over 90 million song tracks available on demand, similar to Spotify.
An Apple Music subscription unlocks the following streaming features in iTunes and across Apple devices:
- On-demand streaming of any song in the Apple Music catalog
- Curated playlists covering various genres and moods
- Music recommendations personalized to your taste
- Unlimited skips and replays
- Downloading music for offline listening
- Listening across all devices signed into your Apple ID
Apple Music subscriptions cost $9.99/month for an individual plan or $14.99/month for a family plan shared with up to 5 other people. Student plans are also available for $4.99/month. A free 3 month trial is offered allowing you to test the service.
So in summary, yes streaming music via an Apple Music subscription is fully supported and integrated in the modern iTunes ecosystem.
What Are the Main Differences Between iTunes Purchases vs. Apple Music Streaming?
While iTunes allows both music purchases and Apple Music streaming, there are some key differences between these models:
| iTunes Purchases | Apple Music Streaming |
|---|---|
| Own downloads indefinitely after purchase | Stream songs on-demand only during active subscription |
| Build permanent library of purchased songs/albums | Download songs temporarily for offline listening |
| Songs cost $0.99 to $1.29 per single | All songs available for monthly subscription fee |
| Pay per album or song | Unlimited streaming with subscription |
| Download files to use anywhere | Stream from internet connection |
| Higher audio quality files (256kbps AAC) | Standard quality streaming |
In summary, music purchases allow you to permanently own songs to replay anytime while streaming grants access to a huge catalog while your subscription is active. Power users often leverage both models to buy certain songs they love while streaming huge catalogs on demand.
What Happens to Your iTunes Library if You Cancel Apple Music?
Canceling an Apple Music subscription will not affect any of the music you’ve purchased and downloaded within iTunes. Any songs, albums or other media that you’ve bought will remain in your iTunes library and are yours to keep forever.
However, any music you’ve downloaded for offline streaming via your Apple Music subscription will no longer be available after cancellation. You lose access to stream Apple’s catalog of 90 million songs on-demand. Playlists and libraries you’ve built around streaming content will no longer play those songs.
But rest assured that the core music you’ve paid for over the years remains safely in your iTunes library for your listening pleasure. Think of purchases as the permanent music collection you own, while streaming grants temporary access to play music widely.
Can You Still Sync iTunes Music to iPhones, iPods, and iPads?
Absolutely. Syncing music from your iTunes library to Apple devices is still a core function that iTunes provides. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, connecting it to iTunes allows transfer of purchased songs and playlists to your device for offline listening.
The syncing process uploads your iTunes music library to your iPhone/iPad/iPod so you can then listen even without an internet connection. This is essential for air travel, commutes, and any other offline listening scenarios.
Syncing also allows you to share playlists between devices, so curated playlists from iTunes can be enjoyed on your iPhone via synchronization through a USB connection. Ratings, play counts and other metadata is synced too.
Finally, iTunes syncing also provides device backups and management. So it remains an important tool for connecting your library to Apple’s mobile ecosystem.
Does iTunes Still Support Music File Uploads?
iTunes retains full support for importing your own music files into your library. Any songs purchased from other stores, ripped from CDs, or acquired elsewhere can be uploaded manually:
- MP3 and other audio files can simply be dragged into the iTunes library
- Right clicking provides options to add files directly to your library
- Entire folders of music can be added via the Import Folder command
Once added, the uploaded songs appear seamlessly in your library alongside purchased iTunes content. You can play them, sync them to devices, and organize them into playlists like any other track.
This makes iTunes much more flexible than relying solely on the iTunes Store for building your collection. Any properly licensed music files in common formats can be mixed into your iTunes ecosystem.
Does iTunes Organize and Back Up Your Music Library?
Absolutely. While streaming is common today, iTunes still provides essential library management that serious music collectors need.
Key library management features include:
- Adding and editing song metadata like title, artist, album, genre, year, etc
- Rating songs for likes/dislikes and smart playlist rules
- Creating and organizing playlists by genre, mood, activity, decade, and more
- Browsing and sorting by genre, artist, composer, release year, rating, and other tags
- Smart playlist rules to dynamically populate song lists based on criteria
- Folder organization to categorize songs
- Backup and restore library contents to external drives
For large personal music libraries, this robust organization and metadata enrichment is essential. iTunes provides tools for managing and backing up collections of any size that streaming libraries alone lack.
Does iTunes Have a Podcast Player and Library?
Beyond music, iTunes also supports podcast collection, playback, and organization. Like music, you can browse, search, download, and manage a library of your favorite podcast shows and episodes in iTunes.
Podcast capabilities include:
- Browsing, subscribing and listening to over 1 million shows
- Automatic new episode downloads
- One-click subscribing via search
- Offline downloading for listening without internet
- Playback speed and timer controls
- Organizing podcast playlists and queues
- Sharing and rating podcasts
- Apple Podcasts app syncing on iOS and Mac
For podcast fans, iTunes provides a central hub to manage your subscriptions, downloads, and playback. And it syncs all your library data with mobile Apple devices automatically.
Can You Purchase and Watch Movies and TV Shows on iTunes?
The iTunes Store provides much more than just music. A wide selection of movies and TV shows are available for purchase or rental directly within iTunes.
Options for movies and TV include:
- HD and SD purchases starting from $9.99
- Movie rentals from $2.99
- TV show purchases with full season or individual episodes
- Pre-orders of upcoming releases
- Extras like behind-the-scenes footage
- Movies across all genres like action, comedy, family, etc
Purchased video content can be downloaded and watched instantly or across all your devices. Video playback supports features like subtitles/closed captions, alternate language audio, playback speed control, video trailer previews, and more.
Additionally, the TV app integrated into iTunes provides personalized recommendations for discovering new shows and movies to enjoy based on your existing library and viewing habits.
Does iTunes Support Audiobooks?
Alongside music, TV, and podcasts, iTunes also includes a built-in audiobook store and player.
Like other media types, audiobooks in iTunes allow you to:
- Shop for bestselling and new release audiobooks
- Purchase audiobooks individually or bundles/series
- Download audiobooks for offline playback
- Create customized playlists of audiobooks
- Set bookmarks, play at different speeds, easily navigate chapters
- Sync across Apple devices using iCloud
For avid readers, iTunes audiobook integration provides easy access to buy and listen to audiobooks directly in sync with your library for a seamless experience.
Does iTunes Work on Mac and Windows?
iTunes is available for both Mac and Windows, providing the same core functionality on each operating system. So whether you personally use a Mac or PC, you can access the iTunes ecosystem.
Some key platform compatibilities include:
- iTunes for Mac supports macOS 10.12.x or later
- iTunes for Windows supports Windows 10 v1809 and later
- Available on 32 and 64-bit systems
- Manages content from iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices
- Syncs supported content across platforms
So iTunes provides a great cross-platform experience. You can use iTunes on both Mac and PC and expect a seamless music, TV, movie, podcast, audiobook and device management experience regardless of your preferred computer OS.
Conclusion
While streaming has overtaken digital sales, the iTunes Store and application remains an important source of music and other media for Apple users in 2023. iTunes lets you purchase and download permanent copies of songs, albums, movies, TV, audiobooks and more that integrate seamlessly into your personal media library. And Apple Music integration provides streaming access to over 90 million songs on demand.
Beyond purchases and streaming, iTunes offers robust library management for large collections. It also syncs downloaded and personal media to iPhones, iPads and other Apple devices automatically. Whether you love buying full albums or subscribing to Apple Music, iTunes remains a versatile hub for music and media.