Microsoft Admits an iTunes 'Metro' App for Windows 8 Not Coming 'Any Time Soon'

itunes_11_iconIn an interview with CNN Money, Microsoft chief financial officer Tami Reller said that Microsoft has talked to Apple about creating an iTunes app for Windows 8, but that users shouldn't expect it to arrive anytime soon.

"You shouldn't expect an iTunes app on Windows 8 any time soon," said Tami Reller, chief financial officer of Microsoft's Windows division. "ITunes is in high demand. The welcome mat has been laid out. It's not for lack of trying."

Currently, iTunes 11 is available for Windows 8's "Desktop" mode, which is a traditional PC interface within Windows 8 that works well with a keyboard and mouse. Microsoft, however, wants Apple to create an iTunes app for what was once known as its "Metro" interface, which features flat, colorful blocks optimized for touchscreen devices.

windows_8_metro_start

Windows 8 "Metro" start screen

CNN Money notes that Windows tablet users are likely the ones who are requesting an iTunes app for the operating system, as well as users looking through Microsoft's app store within Windows 8. However, the report also note that Apple is unlikely to fulfill Microsoft's request because "there's no reason for Apple to help make the Surface a better product."

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Top Rated Comments

guzhogi Avatar
151 months ago
People actually use Windows 8?
Score: 51 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArtOfWarfare Avatar
151 months ago
What happened to handing a glass of water to someone in hell?
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FSMBP Avatar
151 months ago
People actually use Windows 8?

Yeah just like people actually used Lion.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
camnchar Avatar
151 months ago
Microsoft pleading with Apple to make software for their operating system? My, how the worm has turned.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roadbloc Avatar
151 months ago
People actually use Windows 8?

I use it. Best Windows OS I have ever used. People just need to get over the change and actually learn how it works. It is then, you realise it is probably one of the best OSs around.

That doesn't mean it doesn't need improvements though. Some things are questionable but they should be cleaned up in Windows 8.1.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrNomNoms Avatar
151 months ago
Le Sigh - iTunes already works on Windows 8. The issue that is being asked is about a native (see ModernUI) iTunes for Windows 8 - I don't see it happening because Apple wants to maintain a consistent look and feel across Windows and Mac OS X as well as maintaining their own unique Apple branding when on Windows rather than it being subsumed into Windows 8 to the point that it loses its identity.

If the bigger point was Microsoft wanting iTunes on Windows RT (and thus needs to be using WinRT) then maybe Microsoft should provide the ability for application developers to write desktop applications using WinRT/XAML and then deploy it on Windows RT to be run in a desktop environment. Microsoft needs to realise that ModernUI isn't the be all or end all thus not always relevant to every software title.

Btw, anyone see the local IT rags raving about how "Apple is behind Microsoft" because Apple wasn't stupid enough to do the suicidal move of merging their tablet and desktop operating system together like what Microsoft has done with Windows 8? I really have to ask how the heck some of these so-called journalists get their job because I almost vomited in my mouth hearing someone defend such a horrible decision by Microsoft to merge two different devices operating systems into one then explain away claiming that a touch screen is useful of a desktop.

btw, if I was Apple I'd say, "sure, we'll do an iTunes in the ModernUI and in return we want you to do give us a feature complete version of Office that is feature for feature equal to the Windows version and not the half ass half baked crap being sold today".
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)