This week, at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in California, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed rumours surrounding the retirement of iTunes.

Three separate apps, Apple's Music, Podcast and TV, will replace iTunes on the Mac desktop operating systems.

Apple has now released an official document, detailing what will happen with iTunes and previous downloads when the new macOS Catalina (10.15) operating system is rolled out in September.

Announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) yesterday, which runs from 3rd to 7th June, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed rumours surrounding the retirement of iTunes.

Speaking at the WWDC, Tim Cook shared that the change will arrive with new macOS 10.15, named Catalina, due in September. 

Although iOS users will be familiar with Apple’s Music, Podcast and TV apps, the three separate apps will now replace iTunes on desktop software. 

Apple looks set to commence phasing out iTunes.

According to two separate sources, the company is primed to essentially break up its media management software into standalone apps - Music, TV, Podcasts and possibly Books - for its next macOS update.

Apple is set to finalise its acquisition of Shazam, the mobile app that offers elusive track-IDs to more than 120million active monthly users. 

The deal, which we first reported on last year, is thought to be worth some $400million dollars, and will go ahead despite an investigation by the EU which stalled the proposals after concerns were raised by several countries in the bloc, including Austria, France and Spain. 

GarageBand has been updated to add new Drummer styles including jazz-influenced brush styles as well as 1,000 new electronic loops covering reggaeton, future bass and chill rap. The artists lessons – which previously cost $4.99 – are now free and include videos showing users how to play famous songs on piano and guitar, taught by the artists who wrote them. 

Apple is preparing to stop iTunes music downloads in 2019, according to sources inside the company, including a statement by Jimmy Iovine, an executive at the tech giant who was formerly at audio brand Beats. 

Apple’s vision for how their macOS and iOS operating systems will evolve will be outlined at their yearly Worldwide Developer’s Conference on June 4^th. The event, which usually affects producers, musicians and DJs in some way, will likely showcase iOS 12 and the next version of macOS.

Apple have updated Logic Pro X to version 10.4. The latest update sees some hefty new additions including a revolutionary new feature. Smart Tempo aims to remove the click track from your studio, instead analysing your playing and adapting your project to fit. In theory it sounds a lot like Ableton Live’s Warping, allowing users to automatically drag in loops, samples or any audio source that will be automatically adjusted to the timing of your project.

Apple is eyeing up a purchase of music recognition app Shazam for $400 million, according to reports circulating online.

TechCrunch broke the news earlier today, citing sources close to the deal which they reckon will be announced officially as early as next week.

The music identification app has been incredibly popular with music fans as it allows them to identify music that they hear at clubs, bars and on TV.

Apple have updated GarageBand for iOS, adding some serious new music-making features. The popular iOS app has added a Sound Library featuring downloadable loops, one-shots and packs for your projects.

There’s also a new Beat Sequencer instrument inspired by classic drum machines like the 808 and 909 and the display has been adapted for Super Retina devices. New drummers for extra grooves and a new group of Asian Touch instruments including Koto, Taiko Drums and Guzheng round off the update.