Microsoft is chomping at the bit for Apple to bring a touch-friendly iTunes, one of the most popular applications in the world, to its Windows 8 platform. However, if you’re a Windows 8 tablet user, don’t hold your breath, because unlike the next version of Windows, “blue” isn’t your color.
Apple doesn’t appear to be too keen on developing a version of iTunes that integrates the Modern UI face of Windows 8, Microsoft representatives told CNN this week.
“You shouldn’t expect an iTunes app on Windows 8 any time soon,” the chief financial officer of Microsoft’s Windows division said. “iTunes is in high demand. The welcome mat has been laid out. It’s not for lack of trying.”
While iTunes is available for Windows 8, the lack of a touch interface, i.e. “Metro” compatible, means that users in tablet mode with no keyboard or mouse have a bit of difficulty using the application. Windows RT users can’t use iTunes at all, as the yet to become popular OS, built to run on ARM processors, does not run Intel compatible Windows software.
Apple has shown a past willingness to port their software to the Windows platform. However, with Apple’s iPad leading the tablet segment, the Cupertino firm really has no incentive to port their popular music management application over to the still struggling Windows 8 devices.
