Apple is preparing to stop itunes music downloads in March 2019
Apple has finally put an end date on iTunes Store music downloads. While the move has been rumored for years, sources are now saying a reported phase-out of iTunes downloads is expected on March 31, 2019.
The decision is a direct result of significant growth in the use of Apple itunes Music, the firm’s streaming service which is currently vying for dominance against rivals like Spotfiy, which just floated on the New York Stock Exchange with a value of $26.5billion.
In late-March, Jimmy Iovine suggested a shutdown on downloads would take place once ‘people stop buying’, and last week news began to circulate that some members of staff predict this could happen in early 2019, or by 31st March next year.
It’s important to note these dates relate to an official announcement being made about iTunes ceasing music slaes, starting a wind-down process, rather than the point at which the itunes music will actually be taken off-sale.
Apple has also been quick to point out this will not affect people’s ability to play downloaded itunes music on any of the company’s devices, and all tracks previously bought through iTunes, and users’ current iTunes libraries, will still be fully playable. It’s not clear whether there will be changes to the availability of other media, such as movies and TV shows like the forthcoming Above & Beyond documentary.
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