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“iTunes has evolved from a piece of music-management software into something that 1) manages all your media, contacts, and appointments and 2) activates, syncs, and backs up the iPhone/iPad,” Comeau writes. “In other words, iTunes is now the personal operating system for millions of people, giving them a good reason to stay within the Apple ecosystem. When you buy a new Apple gadget, you plug it into your computer, and voila — iTunes updates everything and you’re ready to go, no thinking or effort required.”
Comeau writes, “It’s the most comprehensive piece of plug-and-play software on the market… iTunes is the glue holding Apple together, and the piece of the puzzle competitors need to focus on if they want to hurt Apple… The idea that an iPhone killer is on the horizon is pure fiction, because while we’re seeing a lot of great mobile hardware being produced, there’s absolutely nothing cooking in software that even comes close to countering iTunes. Until its rivals address the software part of the mobile-devices equation, Apple’s success will only be limited by its agreements with telecom carriers.”
Read more in the full article – recommended – here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Judge Bork” for the heads up.]
Without hardware, software serves no purpose.
I’d say it’s the marriage of software an hardware that is the glue holding Apple together, an that isn’t just limited to iTunes either.
Hmmm… I can’t seem to type “and” on this blasted touch screen…
Yes, iTunes is a key part of the FULL package. The other is Apple’s OS X. Without it’s stability and modular design, Apple could not strip it down to have only the features required for the device that they are making (See iOS 4). Every part of the package, including the design team, local support in the Apple owned stores, … make Apple’s tsunami waves of products and services over powering in what ever market they want to take next. Of course, a few BILLION in the bank helps too!
Agree with the confused1 100% It is the ecosystem, not one or the other. That being said, the iphone hardware kicks ass in its own right. The build quality and perfromance of the iPhone 4 is simply breathtaking. Cue the fandroids…….
It’s the software stupid- Apple at it’s core is the worlds best software company.
I partly agree but not entirely.
1. Apple doesn’t really do the “other” part of managing your life well at all. For example, iCal and addresses work well on Mac but not well on iPhone or iPad. There are several known issues, not the least of which is the sudden deleting of calendars. Gone! I’ve experienced this first hand. iTunes only serves as a back up function in this.
2. I think what really makes Apple successful is the brand experience that goes beyond the product. They are strive to satisfy every customer and that is engrained in their culture. People see it.
3. And their products really are sexy and easy to use.
Just saying, it’s not all about iTunes.
Mark
FINALLY!! I have been saying this for years. It’s the ecosystem that keeps it on top. Article is spot on. A group of friends were recently deciding between upgrading iPhone and trying android. All went for iPhone because ‘iTunes just works, has all their media already in it, and no one wanted to take time trying out a new system that may or may not work.
It’s iTunes.
These days, lots of people know of a company called 3M that makes tape and stuff (lots of stuff, actually), but few know it was originally “Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing.” It has successfully evolved into a company which does lots of different things. One day, everyone will know what iTunes is, but few will remember it was originally just jukebox software. Unless, of course, Apple decides to change the name…
Agreed with iTunes being the lifeblood. Imagine if Apple unified MobileMe with iTunes and used the new farm server for an integrated cloud service for EVERYTHING…the possibilities are endless.
yes, iTunes is the crucial cross-platform “middleware” that ties the entire Apple ecosystem together. it is interesting how few of all the pundits have noticed that. that’s because they are mostly bullshitters of course, not real thinkers.
Now if only we could get a 64-bit, Grand Central Dispatch and OpenCL optimized version of iTunes. I will one happy Mac owner the day that happens.
The reason Apple succeeds is because their products work the vast majority of the time. They work seamlessly and consistently, and intuitively.
Every other product is a cheap, clumsy imitation.
Stopped reading after the statement that iTunes manages contacts and appointments. With that statement as an opening the author is badly informed and not worth my attention.
iTunes is just a small part of the entire whole experience. Apple = joy, elegance, smooth clockwork perfection, satisfaction and adventure.
It’s whole widget that puts Apple firmly in the lead.
But the article is right about iTunes. Having something that universally and quickly makes your brand new device work flawlessly from the first hour you have it is something that no other company can match.
You might say your Apple stuff plays for sure.
agree with this article partly and theConfuzed1 has it spot on, the ecosystem.
There is no company other than Dell and their recent acquisition of Palm’s webOS. Or was it HP? either way, that is awhile away, and dell can not still beat or even close the gap between build/hardware quality. Then there is there first possible mobileOS… you thought Iphone OS 1.0 had bugs…lol…that 2.0 was sluggish and buggy…
wait for DHhhhell!
Yes, wasn’t it just yesterday that a small program called SoundJam showed up? Yes.
Isn’t there usually a new version of iTunes (10?, X?) each Fall when the new iPods are released in September? If so, I can’t wait…
I’m looking forward to a 64bit (faster?) version that also allows me to create “playlists” for my Apps and Books. I sync several devices for family members and want to add/delete stuff ahead of time and have it work unattended after plugging the device into iTunes.
This works well for music, so why not the other media formats? Some apps and books are not appropriate for my kids and some games/books are unwanted on my own devices.
Here’s to hoping Apple kicks it up a notch this time around!
Great article. While I am required to use a PC at work, I use iTunes on the PC and my home Mac to sync by contacts and appointments between devices and my iPhone. It works just great.
@Jafo,
Exactly. This guy’s stretching it a little. iTunes has a great interface for media and attached mobile devices. Don’t try to make it into all things for all people.
“The idea that an iPhone killer is on the horizon is pure fiction, because while we’re seeing a lot of great mobile hardware being produced, there’s absolutely nothing cooking in software that even comes close to countering iTunes.”
No, the reason that an iPhone killer is pure fiction is because all of their user interfaces suck!
@Jafo iTunes doesn’t exactly manage contacts and calendars, but unless you do everything over the air with exchange and MobileMe, iTunes is he link between your mobile devices and that data.
That’s why when I read comments like; “I went the the Apple store and played with an iPad for five minutes, and I don’t see what so great about them.” I just shake my head, they don’t get it, its when you get your iPad home and connect it to iTunes, and PERSONALIZE it that the true value is realized.
In his quest to make Apple products look and perform more like Star Trek:TNG devices (did you ever see a mouse being used?), he won’t be happy until he perfects the portable iTeleporter based on…
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128910996&ft=1&f=1019
You say ecosystem I say ease of use. Imagine pointing/ touching what you want to do! I never bought a pc until they had a mouse.