Apple used today’s WWDC keynote address to announce a brand new service called iTunes Match - which was also referred to as “iTunes on the cloud.”
iTunes Match will scan your iTunes Library and match songs to an upgraded, 256kbps AAC DRM-free file on Apple’s iCloud server. The service will cost $24.99 per year but it remains to be seen what will happen if you stop paying the annual subscription fee.
Apple touted ‘Match as a huge advantage over competing services from Google and Amazon, because while they can take “weeks” to upload your library, iTunes Match takes “just minutes.”
Apple also touted the service as having the “same benefits as music purchased from iTunes.” Presumably this means that you’ll be able to re-download tracks and see your music history on all of your devices.
Update: Apple has updated its iTunes Terms and Conditions — presumably to address all the new cloud features.
Update2: Apple has posted it’s iCloud features page.
Update3: Sadly, iTunes in the Cloud doesn’t allow streaming of music to your devices, like Google and Amazon do. Deal breaker?
So, are you buying?
Photos: thisismynext.com
More WWDC Coverage:
ZDNet:
- Through cloud, Apple circles wagons on ecosystem: 10 proof points
- WWDC 2011: Apple iCloud will be free, iTunes Match replaces pirated songs
- WWDC 2011: Apple iOS 5 integrates Twitter, sports new notification menu
- Apple aims to make disaster recovery personal
- WWDC 2011: Apple Mac OS X Lion sports over 250 new features
- Ultimate flattery: Apple’s updates are out of Google’s playbook
- What is Apple’s huge data warehouse for?
- iCloud synchronization to push data caps to the limit
- Apple copies a bunch of features from Android, calls it iOS5
- One more thing … iTunes Match
- Did Apple just announce complete music pirate amnesty for $24.95?
- Apple fires shots at all mobile competitors today, and Microsoft too
- Apple announces iTunes Match, no-upload cloud-based music locker (updated 3x)
- WWDC 2011: Apple takes other platforms’ best services, makes them better with iOS 5
CNet News:
- How Apple’s event unfolded
- Music wars: Google vs. Amazon vs. Apple (chart)
- Video: Apple introduces iTunes in the cloud
- Video: Steve Jobs introduces iCloud
- iCloud handles music, photos, more
- Photos: Apple unveils iCloud
- Tabs, Reading List land in mobile Safari
- Photos: A look at iOS 5
- First Take: Mac OS X Lion coming in July for $29.99
- Leopard users must purchase Snow Leopard before Lion?
- Video: Apple introduces multitouch gestures in Lion OS
Galleries Mac OS X Lion roars | A look at iOS 5 Gallery: Apple’s WWDC 2011
TechRepublic: Apple’s next frontier: Your data
BNET: WWDC: Apple Blows an Opportunity To Change the World
