Apple’s wish list for its revamped iTunes product is long, but near the top was an October release date. After it was an iPad mini event truant, iTunes seemed destined not to make the cut. Now, Apple tells AllThingsD, it’s going to be another month…
“The new iTunes is taking longer than expected and we wanted to take a little extra time to get it right. We look forward to releasing this new version of iTunes with its dramatically simpler and cleaner interface, and seamless integration with iCloud before the end of November.”
Delays are natural in software development, expected even, and if anything there’s hope that this hold-up means that iTunes really is getting the much-needed overhaul it deserves. Or maybe it’s just that the team has been a little distracted, what with Apple’s top execs playing musical chairs last night (Scott Forstall, by the way, lost).
Among the expected changes to the bloated, creaking music player are a cleaner layout, better playlist options, a redesigned mini-player, and more robust viewing options. Not expected: the vengeful return of Ping, much of a reason to go back to iTunes if you’ve already bailed. [AllThingsD]