 | |
 The iTunes Store, as seen in iTunes 12.12.7.1, running on Windows 10 from January 31, 2023 | |
| Type | Digital music store Video on demand (moved to Apple TV) App store (moved to App Store) Ebook store (moved to Apple Books) |
|---|---|
| Launch date | April 28, 2003 (macOS) October 16, 2003 (Microsoft Windows) June 29, 2007 (iOS) |
| Platform(s) | macOS iOS tvOS Windows 10 and later |
| Availability | See Internationalization |
| Website | apple |
iTunes Store is a digital marketplace selling music, music videos, ringtones and alert tones. It was launched by Apple Inc. on April 28, 2003 for macOS, and on October 16, 2003 for Microsoft Windows. It launched as a mobile application with iOS on June 29, 2007.[1]
It previously sold mobile applications until the launch of the App Store on July 10, 2008, and e-books until the launch of the iBooks Store on March 31, 2010.[2] It also used to facilitate the downloading of podcasts which later became integrated into Apple Podcasts, as well as the provision to buy and rent films and TV shows which has since become integrated into Apple TV.[3]
The iTunes Store opened as part of then-CEO Steve Jobs' push to open a digital marketplace for music. When it launched, it was the only legal digital catalog of music to offer songs from all five major record labels, which played a part in its success and influenced the music downloading business.[4] Music streaming services began to overtake music downloading, with Apple launching Apple Music on June 30, 2015.[5]
- ^ "Timeline: iTunes Store at 10 billion". Computerworld. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ "Apple unveils iPad tablet device". January 27, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ "Get your Apple ID ready for purchases or downloads on your Apple TV – Apple Support (UK)". Apple Support. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ Langer, Andy (September 10, 2014). "Is Steve Jobs the God of Music?". Esquire. Hearst Communications. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
- ^ Dredge, Stuart (June 30, 2015). "Apple Music launches to take on Spotify – and traditional radio". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved November 23, 2024.