> iTunes has to be the most complained about piece of software from Apple

Apple seems to have moved most of the iOS maintenance functionality from iTunes over to iOS itself.

Personally, I have an iCloud storage plan, and I don't use iTunes regularly anymore except when upgrading phones.

Sure, but the podcast management for my iPod Nano on Catalina is dreadful, to the point where I gave up and switched to using my Android phone for podcasts.