News on January 15th, Apple is working hard to introduce music (Music) and podcasts (Podcasts) applications to the Microsoft Store. It is said that Apple is currently testing music and podcast applications for Microsoft's platform as a private beta.
There is no news to indicate whether these applications will be compatible with Windows PCs or they will be developed for Microsoft's Xbox console. Apple released an Apple TV application in November, compatible with Xbox One, Series X and Series S, so future Podcasts and music applications may also be limited to supporting consoles.
However, Apple may plan to release these applications on Windows after iTunes on Mac is disabled. Currently, Apple continues to provide an iTunes version designed for Windows, but the application is rarely updated, and the interface may undergo a comprehensive reform, because it is not ideal for accessing services such as Apple Music and Apple TV +.
Apple released macOS Catalina in 2019, cut iTunes on the Mac, and instead provided users with independent music, TV, and podcast applications.
Apple released job postings in November 2019, hiring engineers to create "next-generation Windows media applications", so the revision of media applications for Windows may have been in the making for some time. At the time, Apple stated that it was looking for engineers with experience in using universal UWP, a platform that allows applications to work on Xbox and other Windows 10 platforms.