While the experience improved hugely, it was once the worst piece of big-name software available for Windows with constant crashes. OK, we're being facetious, but it had become very clunky on all platforms.
Of course, a lot of people back up their iOS devices using iCloud, but this isn't an option with older devices.
When you connect a device to your Mac, it now shows up in the sidebar of Finder so you can backup, update or restore your device in the same way you could before. If you sync media to your Mac using a cable, the separate apps don't change that. Apple How to sync your iPod, iPhone or iPad to a Mac without iTunes
