New macOS Catalina

The support page on this (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210200) is poorly written. It says:

"Music that you’ve imported ... will be in the new Apple Music app" and "access all of your ripped music"

• but it doesn't say you'll be able to rip new CDs to your library.

Similarly, it says "Music playlists and smart playlists that you've created in iTunes will be in the new Apple Music app"

• but it doesn't say you'll be able to create new smart playlists.

It may seem obvious that you'd be able to do both, but I'm sure Apple has some pretty good writers on their Marketing staff so these phrasings seem very odd. Both statements are written about things you've already done, not about whether you will be able to continue doing those things. That's very odd phrasing for a very careful, deliberate company like Apple.

I guess we'll have to see. I, for one, will be waiting and watching before I upgrade. If I lose the ability to rip new music and create new smart playlists I won't upgrade. I have too much time and money invested in my music library.

There is literally a world of applications that can import

music CDs to disk in pretty much any format available.

So, the ability to do that at least will always be available.

The only question at this point, is if they can be brought into

the new Music app for Mac. We won't really know that until

Catalina arrives.

As an aside, there are also several music management/player

apps available as an alternative to either iTunes or the upcoming

Music app. So, if your not happy with what the changes Catalina

may bring, there are alternatives. And you can always export playlists

now to use with them when the time comes.

Yea, Apple has not answered that question.

I have read at least one blog post from people using the Beta that the original iTunes app is still available, kind of like how the old iPhotos app was available for a while after Photos replaced it. This actually inclines me to think that ripping is *not* in the new music app, and they're really pushing consumption through digital means, particularly the streaming service (which is the thing they're trying to sell now).

Almost certainly yes. In the unlikely event Apple excludes such a feature no doubt someone else would quickly fill the void with a tool to do it.

tt2