Apple should bring iTunes to Android -- that's according to Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Woz points out that bringing iTunes to Windows was a huge opportunity for Apple, so why not do the same with Android?
"Apple's real rise from the small market-share Macintosh company to the iProducts of today began with iTunes and the iPod", Woz argues. "This turned out to be a 2nd huge business which roughly doubled Apple's 'size'. If you remember, we ported iTunes to Windows. We now addressed 100 per cent of the world's market with this integrated system (iPod/iTunes) and it began the era of Apple that we are now in."
It's a good point: iTunes software on Windows computers meant we could buy an iPod -- and later an iPhone 5 or iPad -- without having to also own an expensive iMac or MacBook computer.
"So why don't we port iTunes to Android?" asks Woz. "I love Apple products and iTunes and wish it were on my Android products too."
It's an intriguing idea, as mobile use has exploded in the past couple of years, and with it, the idea of buying music, films and TV on your phone or tablet while on the go has become normal.
The difference between porting to Windows and porting to Android, however, is that a desktop version of iTunes encouraged people to buy an iPod, whereas an Android version would actually give people an excuse not to buy an iPod or iPhone. If you have a huge iTunes library tying you to the iPhone, you'd suddenly be free to buy a cheaper or better Android phone without losing all your music.
Woz was talking to Apple fans in a question and answer session on Slashdot, where he also discussed open-source technology, praised bigger phones, and wished that "instead of all these lawsuits Apple was sitting down and cross-licensing with the other players". The man who invented the Apple ruled out ever working for Apple again, but admitted that "Apple is #1 in my heart".
Do you think iTunes should come to Android? Would Apple benefit -- and would Android be better off? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 22
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anonymous 4 October, 2012 10:37
I haven't used Itunes for ages, but it was one of the things that would put me off using Apple products. Maybe it has changed, but the whole problem of swapping between computers and the layout annoyed me. (I tried swapping music with my sister using her ipod and we gave up, it was dreadful)
I like to organise my music myself and never use libraries or other music organisers. I would not bother with it if it was on android, but I guess there is nothing to stop other people being very happy with it.
anonymous 4 October, 2012 11:04
no no no no no NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, keep the awefull itunes rubish on your over priced skratchy now i'm lost apple products
anonymous 4 October, 2012 11:50
The thing I miss about iTunes is the film and tv downloads, there is literally no other service that will let me legally download a film onto my nexus. Just wish apple would drop the DRM like they did with the music
anonymous 4 October, 2012 12:06
I think Apple would be really smart to license iTunes to Android. They are not going to lose any iPhone sales because of that. People who buy iPhones don't usually do so because of iTunes.
anonymous 4 October, 2012 12:11
I would LOVE to have iTunes on my Droid RAZR! I miss iTunes. I have yet to find anything that is comparable.
anonymous 4 October, 2012 12:16
I have been using Google Music on my S2 since it was released and after a few revisions I can say now that I really like it. If Google now make a standalone Music Management Programme for PC users then I think there would be no need for iTunes. Im assuming Google are working on such a thing, if not they are crazy!!
anonymous 4 October, 2012 12:23
[QUOTE=Anonymous]The thing I miss about iTunes is the film and tv downloads, there is literally no other service that will let me legally download a film onto my nexus. Just wish apple would drop the DRM like they did with the music[/QUOTE]
Facepalm.jpeg
(still confused? How about google Play?)
Carl Cumby 4 October, 2012 12:40
Woz is getting senile in his old age, has he missed the fact that you need 8 gigs of RAM just to get iTunes to run with any decent speed, it's the biggest memory hog around, how would they port that to 'droid in any form that would work?
anonymous 4 October, 2012 13:09
Consumers deserve to have the choice. Many people love iTunes and use it to build up their music library, and it would be great for them to have access to it even from an Android device. So I think it's a great idea (although I myself never use iTunes or any Apple product)
Sleiman A. Sleiman 4 October, 2012 14:02
Apple gained when it introduce itune to windows because windows had the biggest market share.
In the mobile industry its another story because apple have the biggest market share .
its a lose situation, it gives iphone users an incentive to move to android .
anonymous 4 October, 2012 14:51
There's the DoubleTwist app, which I haven't heard anyone mention yet. It mirrors iTunes in many ways and can sync your library wireless with your phone. I used it mostly to sync podcasts (before I discovered Stitcher).
But better than that is the Play Music app that comes standard with Android ICS. You just navigate to http://play.google.com/music/listen on your computer and upload your entire library (up to 20,000 songs) to the cloud for free. I have about 2,000 in my collection (took about 4 days).
Once your music is uploaded (you can select "Upload from iTunes" during the process), you have access to every song in your library from your phone without having to have your entire library actually housed on your device, saving space.
Just did this for my wife on her HTC One S and she loves it. She no longer needs her iPod.
Jeff
Dean Shepherd 4 October, 2012 16:25
@ Sleiman A. Sleiman 4 October, 2012 14:02
"In the mobile industry its another story because apple have the biggest market share .
its a lose situation, it gives iphone users an incentive to move to android ."
ok I'm a little confused as I don't really see where the "incentive" to move to Android is...iPhone users always go on about its ease of use and reliability (no map jokes :P) over Android....iTunes on Android wouldn't change this at all...not in any sense..
Also I'm pretty sure that Android (due to the AMOUNT of devices) has the biggest smartphone market share.
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@ anonymous 4 October, 2012 12:23
"[QUOTE=Anonymous]The thing I miss about iTunes is the film and tv downloads, there is literally no other service that will let me legally download a film onto my nexus. Just wish apple would drop the DRM like they did with the music[/QUOTE]
Facepalm.jpeg
(still confused? How about google Play?)"
I think what the original poster meant was that we on Android cannot download movies and tv shows yet...least not here in the UK, we can only rent, whereas our American cousins can buy and download fully. Itunes obviously has this, even for the UK....so yea, Google is missing out on that here.
-----------------------
I don't know really, I'm torn...I still use iTunes on my netbook and it runs like a sluggish beast, but at the same time, I do enjoy the ease of use as well as the interface. I've yet to find one that does all that for me that I like really....and thats free as well. Winamp used to be my player of choice but that grew too long in the tooth for me sadly.
anonymous 4 October, 2012 16:39
Actually there was a phone that came pre-loaded with iTunes before the original iPhone was released called the Motorola Rokr, but wasn't very successful: http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/07/the-motorola-rokr-e1-apple-itunes-phone/
Leszcz 4 October, 2012 19:53
There is Google music client for desktops anonymous
James Katt 4 October, 2012 21:17
Why, oh why should you even care what Steve Wozniak thinks?
He became demented years ago. He's gone plumb crazy.
Let him move to New Zealand - where he wants to become a citizen. Then forget him.
anonymous 4 October, 2012 22:34
sorry did i read this correctly '"So why don't we port iTunes to Android?" asks Woz. "I love Apple products and iTunes and wish it were on my Android products too."
an apple exec confirming he has an andriod device?
anonymous 5 October, 2012 03:19
4 Free iTunes DRM removal programs:
http://dig4u.org/rip-drm/remove-drm-from-itunes-for-free.html
anonymous 5 October, 2012 09:05
It would be good for Apple to port iTunes to Android and it would make those who use iTunes happy because they could still use it and it gives the consumers more options, but in all honesty iTunes is a terrible price of software and they are far far superior apps and programmes out there that do exactly the same thing. I for one wouldn't use iTunes in my Galaxy S3
Stuart Perchard 5 October, 2012 23:56
"Apple should bring iTunes to Android"
As I scratch my head and for the life of me wonder, WHY?
Really can't understand after all this time a logical reason for it unless Apple wants some sort of foothold in Android!
anonymous 7 October, 2012 16:25
I have been saying this forever. Apple ties down there software to the iphone way to much. It makes you feel like your trapped in a apple. Maybe thats there plan to make people get use to there product and services only. The fact is not everyone is going to like that, so there going to find other things. Companys should respect the consumers decision and not always find ways to force them upon what they only offer. We spend our money how we want for what we like and think its worth. Not because of what you say it is or what it does. We are the true testers. Android is open to any program to be used or developed on there devices. Dont be scared of a little competition and have confidence in your products themselves, not just what apps or software is capable on that device.
anonymous 20 October, 2012 21:15
I doubt iTunes will ever appear on Android. Apple know iTunes is a big reason people stay with their products. Google Play is still developing and will eventually catch up with the music content. I can see both platforms having almost identical content soon. It's similar to Playstation Store & Xbox Live where the majority of content is available on both platforms but with some exclusives to each. The consumer will be the winner in the end.
anonymous 20 October, 2012 21:22
I don't see how anyone can find iTunes a "terrible piece of software". Are you in some way unable to grasp it? Or do you illegally download all your content? I find it very simple to use and have done for years.