Here’s why you might not want to download the latest version of iTunes
Fans of Apple’s iTunes may want to hold fire on downloading the latest desktop version of the app for Mac and Windows as version 12.7 removes access the App Store.
According to Apple’s iTunes support page, the changes are due to a renewed focus on managing music, movies, digital books, and podcasts directly from iOS devices, brought in by a new App Store ahead of the release of iOS 11.
“The new App Store makes it easy to get, update, and redownload apps—all without a Mac or PC,” said Apple.
While Apple might be aiming for convenience and streamlining iTunes management, some users in Apple’s discussion forums don’t appear to happy with the decision.
Forum poster ssevon said the decision to remove desktop access to the App Store via iTunes as “an exceptionally dumb and non-customer focused change”.
“With hundreds of bought apps, it’s going to be a nightmare if I ever have to organise phone-apps from scratch!” ssevon added. “All in all, this feels like a decision Nokia might have made………close to the end ;)”
iPhone and iPad users will still be able to use the iTunes desktop app to back up their devices. Content that’s no longer available to download but is on a user’s Mac or PC can be transferred to an iPhone or iPad via a USB cable.
The new iTunes does usher in a positive change in the form of syncing between devices running iOS 11 and enabling social music sharing for subscribers of Apple Music.
And it could be argued that shifting away from managing music, movies and other digital content in iTunes on desktop, helps Apple leave behinds a version of iTunes that has become rather clunky over recent years when compared to the cleaner and more intuitive design of the mobile app.
Related: iPhone X: all you need to know
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