Apple seems to be in a mood to completely revamp its
offerings as after the launch of its iPhone X smartphone, the company has now
decided to remove the built-in App Store from its iTunes app for Mac and
Windows. As you might be already aware, the App Store has been an integral part
of the iTunes app and its removal indicates that the Cupertino-based company
wants to shift the app's focus to music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and other
entertainment choices.
With the iTunes version 12.7 update, Apple has removed the
built-in App Store and the Ringtones section from app. Apart from this,
Internet Radio has become the part of Music section, and iTunes U collections
have been shifted into the Podcasts section, something Apple had announced late
last month.
"The new iTunes focuses on music, movies, TV shows,
podcasts, and audiobooks. Apps for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch are now
exclusively available in the new App Store for iOS. And the new App Store makes
it easy to get, update, and re-download apps-all without a Mac or PC," the
company says on the support page on its website.
Other changes that come with the iTunes v12.7 update include
the ability to sync iOS 11 devices, as well as the ability to discover content
with friends on Apple Music - users will be able to create profiles, follow
each other, and then see what the other is listening to and access shared
playlists.
This new change effectively means that users can now
download apps or ringtones only from their iOS devices. It is debatable whether
it is a right step by the company to remove the App Store from the iTunes app
as more options are usually preferred by us as users. However, if this results
in a better user experience, we might just let it pass.
