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iTunes 11 rumored to include under-the-hood changes, iCloud support

The next version of iTunes is expected to focus mostly on code changes that …

Apple is reportedly hard at work on the next major version of iTunes, sources for 9to5 Mac claim. Internal test builds are allegedly being circulated that are said to include back-end code improvements, support for iOS 6 devices, additional iCloud integration, and support for a "revamped" iTunes Store.

iTunes 11 will reportedly focus less on interface changes and more on under-the-hood code, which should theoretically optimize performance. The sources didn't entirely rule out some UI changes before it is released to the public, though, so there will most likely be some visual changes to integrate with OS X Mountain Lion. Given the expected support for iOS 6 devices, it seems likely that we may hear more about iTunes 11 this summer during Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).

Apple has so far stuck to a yearly release schedule for major iOS updates, which generally coincide with new iPhone hardware. As such, we're led to believe iTunes 11 could be released sometime between late June and early October. That same timeframe is cited for the launch of a revamped iTunes Store, which is believed to incorporate improved search and discovery technology gained from Apple's recent acquisition of Chomp.

iTunes 11 is also supposedly set to include additional iCloud support, including a centralized preference panel for controlling features like iTunes in the Cloud, iTunes Match, iOS device backups, and more. Still, what little information is available about iTunes 11 doesn't quiet the growing call for Apple to rethink iTunes' role as a Swiss Army knife of device syncing, media management, and iTunes Store portal, so we look forward to seeing what Apple's solution is when it comes to cleaning up the next version of iTunes.

Channel Ars Technica