Need a more complete understanding of how Apple Music will replace my extensive iTunes library (which resides on my own NAS).

Thanks for this info Jim.

While this was somewhat helpful, I still have less than a clear picture of what will happen. For instance, here is a quote from the article you sent the link to...

"Use Search to find music you want to play. Switch quickly between searching in your own library and the Apple Music catalogue."

It's hard for me to escape the impression that this may require my personal library to be moved or copied to the Cloud. I could be any where and search the Apple Music catalogue. This is not the case for searching my own iTunes library on a server attached to my personal wi-fi network, in my home.

• How can Apple assure I can easily switch between the Apple Music Library and my personal one unless they are both accessible from any where?
• If my iTunes library is moved to the Cloud, will I be able to retain my own library?
• If I use a version of it that was copied/moved to the Cloud, how can I know that Apple might not create DRM problems like those that have occurred via Apple Match?

While these descriptions of application functionality may be good marketing for some people, I'd really like to know a lot more details before I commit over 15 years of time and effort to the new Apple Music app. (Where will my iTunes Library reside and under whose control? Can I keep it where it is and under my own control?)

I can't help but think there are other people out there who may share my concerns. Are there other forums or places where I can find out what other people with large volume iTunes Libraries think about these developments?

Thanks in advance for any additional insights.

Jim,

Thank you once again. That was even more helpful.

I believe I will upgrade the OS on a laptop and play with Apple Music there. This should give me a chance to see how well the app will mesh with my current procedures and music repository (iTunes on my NAS).

I'm still a bit concerned by the implied reliance on "Search" to find files I want to play... hoping I will still be able to open a window into all Songs in my library... this is very helpful for managing my content (things like verifying attributes I find critical, adding and/or editing the file attributes and generally "cleaning up" files, eliminating duplicates, etc.)

I think I have used iTunes for something between 20-25 years. Early on, I could not find another suitable app to store and manage my various music files and I have not kept up with other newer apps that might provide something functionally equivalent. I think Apple missed the mark when they started overloading iTunes by storing other types of files and using it to synch other products. I like the plan to separate current functionality into three more distinct applications. However, iTunes user control over attributes to select and use in your own views into the music storage is VERY useful. It would be like throwing the baby out with the bath water to eliminate such end user capabilities.