iTunes launched in 2001 with a bold vision. It aimed to reshape how people bought and listened to music in the digital age. Back then, music came from CDs or file-sharing sites like Napster, which felt risky and messy. iTunes offered a legal store inside a sleek player, letting users buy single songs for 99 cents and organize libraries effortlessly. Because of this, it felt like a safe, modern gateway to music anywhere.
For a while, iTunes dominated. You could sync your iPod, create playlists on the fly, and browse a vast catalog with album art popping up. Tracks played smoothly across devices, turning your computer into a jukebox. Because of this, music listening shifted from physical to personal and portable.
What set iTunes apart was its ecosystem lock-in. It wasn’t just a player—it tied into iPods, then iPhones, controlling the hardware-software loop. Developers built apps around it, and labels signed exclusive deals. Because of this, iTunes became a gatekeeper, not just a tool.
Pricing Problem
Many users loved the convenience but hated the restrictions. DRM locked songs to iTunes devices, blocking flexibility. Prices felt high compared to free alternatives, and the closed system frustrated tinkerers. Because of this, pirates kept thriving, and openness seekers looked elsewhere.
Lesson
Control breeds loyalty but also rebellion.
Streaming Problem
iTunes thrived on downloads, but tastes changed fast. Spotify and Pandora arrived with unlimited streaming for flat fees, making single-song buys feel outdated. You couldn’t share libraries easily or discover via algorithms. As a result, younger users skipped the store for subscriptions.
Lesson
Adapt to habits, or get left behind.
Platform Problem
Apple shifted focus to the iPhone App Store and Apple Music. iTunes felt bloated, juggling music, movies, apps, and podcasts in one clunky app. Cross-platform support lagged on Android. Because of this, it lost its edge as a unified hub.
Lesson
Evolve with your empire, don’t cling to the old core.
The End of iTunes
By 2019, Apple retired standalone iTunes on Macs, folding it into Music, Podcasts, and TV apps. Many saw it as the end of an era. Yet its DNA lived on—digital stores, seamless sync, and premium curation shaped streaming giants.
The Final Thought
iTunes didn’t fail because it was flawed. It triumphed first, then faded as the world caught up. Still, its impact echoes in every playlist today.
Read more about Itunes on reddit
Visit our Archive to learn more about past apps here
