iTunes is a software program created by Apple designed to manage media on their iPod, iPhone and iPad devices as well as keep media files organized across devices through syncing. Available both for Mac and Windows computers.
Apple first unveiled iTunes in 2001 and unveiled their iTunes Store to sell music downloads two years later in 2003. Ten billion songs had been sold since that date! In 2010 alone.
It is a digital music store
Apple Inc’s iTunes Music Store is an innovative digital media store created in 2003 by Apple Inc and first opened for business on April 28, 2003, revolutionizing how we acquire music online. Since its debut, iTunes has become the leading source for music downloads in the US; offering movie rentals, TV shows and podcasts in some countries as well. Furthermore, its software can be freely downloaded onto both Macs and Windows PCs; selling over 25 billion songs worldwide!
iTunes can be used with many portable media players, including Apple’s iconic iPod line. Additionally, it synchronizes and plays content from Apple’s popular iPhone as well as their entry into the smartphone market: iPad. iTunes features proprietary media management software which makes keeping track of audio/video content simple; additional features include an online radio station and popular Billboard chart collections.
Although most people purchase songs individually from iTunes, the service also sells albums as separate entities. Certain tracks are only available for “Album Only” purchase if purchased alongside their album of origin; others can be sampled via ninety-second preview. Apple offers full-length movies and TV shows through their store as well as weekly promotions in which one or three songs may be offered as free downloads to users who login into their accounts on iTunes.
The iTunes Store boasts an enormous catalog of content and is rapidly growing in popularity. Alongside music, this store provides films and television shows as well as an abundance of e-books and podcasts – with some available for purchase while others may be rented or streamed – in addition to an iMix feature which allows customers to create playlists to share with friends.
It is a media player
Apple’s iTunes program serves more than just as a media player; it also acts as an organizing tool and client app for the iTunes Store. Available for both Mac OS X and Windows platforms, iTunes provides users with an organization tool and client app for the iTunes Store that enables them to organize music, videos, audio books, e-books, feature-length films, TV shows podcasts mobile apps as well as synchronizing and transferring them between computers or iPods as well as streaming songs online via its iTunes Store and offering various file formats and options that optimize sound optimization settings – all from one convenient program!
Apple first unveiled iTunes in 2001 as a simple music library for Mac computers. However, after purchasing SoundJam MP technology rights and adding file management and an easily configurable user interface as well as burning CDs capabilities to their iTunes product line. Also introduced at that time was their store offering users to purchase and download music for playback on their computers.
iTunes Store provides access to an expansive catalog of songs and movies as well as podcasts and TV shows, free podcasts and audiobooks. Users can create playlists based on specific criteria that automatically update, while its innovative design allows users to visualize lyric information visually while setting album-organization features to automatically arrange and display songs automatically.
iTunes not only plays music, but can also rip CDs and import songs from various sources. With its search function enabling users to find files by typing keywords such as title or artist name; display album artwork; create custom CD covers; as well as create playlists, CDs or shuffle or repeat songs – iTunes offers everything needed for creating and enjoying digital media!
iTunes isn’t designed to sync and transfer content between all portable devices; unlike many other programs that can do this, iTunes only works with Apple products such as iPods, iPhones and iPads. Third-party software may be able to sync these other devices with iTunes though.
iTunes supports a range of popular audio formats, such as MP3, AAC and Apple Lossless. In addition, iTunes can read ID3 tags and display album art for songs purchased via the iTunes Store; Gracenote provides album art tagging services.
It is a computer application
iTunes is a simple and free software program that enables users to manage digital media files. Users can use iTunes for downloading music and other content as well as playing it back on a computer, with features including CD burning capabilities and direct access to Apple Music – available both Mac and PC users alike.
iTunes was initially developed by Apple Inc as an integral component of their iPod portable music player; today it remains an indispensable application for all Apple device owners. While its functionality has expanded over the years to support 4K video formats and new 4K music downloads, music remains its core function. iTunes provides access to new tracks for your iPod or other Apple device as well as CDs to import directly.
User interface of Zune Store is user-friendly and intuitive, featuring sections for Music, Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, Audio Books and Audio Books. Each category can be broken down further into playlists, albums, artists, genres etc. A search bar at the top of screen lets users quickly locate specific content; while sales allow customers to find discounted items.
iTunes Store is part of Apple’s iTunes application and allows users to purchase music, movies, TV shows and iPod games from its selection. Apple also provides access to their subscription-based streaming service Apple Music through this store, making iTunes essential for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch users and also available on other mobile platforms including Android and BlackBerry phones.
Though iTunes can support non-Apple products such as Nokia’s Sync app, Apple has been widely criticized for excluding other hardware companies from its ecosystem and for restricting device syncing with iTunes in order to drive iPhone sales. There are a few third-party apps which provide some degree of data transfer between non-Apple hardware and iTunes; most require paid subscriptions while enterprising hackers have developed tools which work around these restrictions but are not supported officially by Apple.
It is a service
iTunes is more than just a music player; it’s a multimedia content platform. Its main features include digital media store, library and online radio broadcaster. Furthermore, iTunes also provides services such as podcasting and movie rentals – developed by Apple for both Windows and Mac computers.
iTunes is available as a free download from Apple App Store and features an intuitive graphical user interface for organizing music into playlists, editing file information and burning CDs. Furthermore, MP3 and WAV audio formats are supported; furthermore you can use iTunes to create ringtones for iPod or iPhone. It can also automatically sync songs and playlists between iPod and computer as well as copy them manually back and forth as desired – plus print custom CD covers after the music you have burned!
iTunes not only features a Store but also hosts podcasts and an Internet radio service with over 60 stations. Music libraries in iTunes can be browsed by artist, album, genre, composer or lyrics of specific songs – or Featured Playlists offer highlights for new releases or popular releases.
Though many consumers have moved from purchasing physical CDs to streaming digital music, iTunes Store remains the largest music retailer worldwide. Through its e-commerce capabilities, users can buy and download songs, movies, and TV shows directly onto their computers, iPods, Apple TV devices – providing access to this service in most countries worldwide with just an Apple ID login.
Apple Music, in order to compete with Spotify and similar services, boasts over 50 million songs for users to stream or download at their leisure, with new additions added regularly – it even offers original tracks from emerging artists!
iTunes Store content can be purchased using an Apple ID linked to all their Apple products and used for purchases at both Mac and Windows computers, iOS devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod touch) as well as Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices. Users may access and buy content directly through this store using Apple Pay or using one of the many credit/debit card payment methods offered.
