Answers to some of your questions on iTunes: old libraries, Windows, etc.

SAN JOSE, California. -After many rumors and rumors in the press, Apple confirmed today that iTunes would cease to exist in the next version of macOS and that it would integrate its features into three new applications: Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and Apple TV. As we noted earlier, this marks the end of an era on the Mac, but many questions remained unanswered. What features will Music keep on iTunes? And what happens to Windows users who depend on iTunes?

Although some details remain unclear and will remain so until we start digging into beta versions, we've got some general answers from Apple on these high profile issues.

Old libraries and iTunes files

Apple Music in macOS Catalina will import existing music libraries from iTunes users in their entirety, Apple said. This includes not only music purchased on iTunes, but extracts from CDs, MP3s, etc., added from other sources.

In addition, existing functionality that synchronizes files from non-iTunes users to the cloud will continue to work and, of course, users will still be able to purchase songs from Apple. Apple does not turn Apple Music into a broadcast-only experience. For the most part, the end of iTunes seems to be only one end of name: the main features will be kept in the Music application.

Synchronizing iPhones, iPads and iPods

Apple had already explained during the presentation that synchronization and management of your iOS devices from your Mac, which was previously an iTunes task, will now be performed in Finder, the application's file management application. Apple. When you plug in your iPhone, iPod or iPad, you will see it in the Finder sidebar, just as you would with any external drive or USB key.

But when you click on it, you will not just see a file system as you would with these accessories. Instead, you'll have an interface very similar to the one you're used to in iTunes, with many (if not all) of the same features. This is certainly a more natural place for this, as it is more like the experience you have when you plug in other devices to your Mac.

iTunes on Windows

Many people use iTunes to manage their Windows media libraries, not just music, but videos and podcasts. Apple announced today that iTunes would be split into several applications in macOS, but the company did not specify on stage what would happen to the same program under Windows.

It turns out that the answer is not great. Apple says that iTunes users on Microsoft Windows will not see any changes. It will not be divided into several applications; it will work as now. However, Apple did not specify what would be the support of future features. The company simply stated that Windows users would continue to have the same experience as before and that it was not announcing any plans to end technical support for iTunes in Windows.

But keep in mind: it only means for the moment. Apple may one day bring an Apple Music app to Windows, just like Android. But, although the iTunes era seems to end for the Mac, it will continue in the foreseeable future under Windows – iTunes is not really dead. At least not yet.

4K HDR and Dolby Atmos on Mac

Apple also clarified that you will be able to stream 4K HDR content and Dolby Atmos from the Apple TV macOS application to your TV via HDMI using an adapter. For Atmos, however, you will need a Mac laptop introduced in 2018 or later.

So, basically, your recent Mac can be a full-fledged Apple TV 4K. Only the new, ultra-high-priced, professional monitor from Apple can really use HDR as a modern TV. So we were curious about the HDR application in the Apple TV App. That's all, at least until other more likely HDR screens reach Macs later.

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