Apple has now officially launched iTunes Match, the company’s new music service which is part of iCloud. iTunes Match costs $24.99 per year, and the service is designed to match all the music from your iTunes library across all your devices. Your music is then streamed from the cloud, making it accessible wherever you go.
How iTunes Match Works
Here’s how it works: iTunes determines which songs in your collection are available in the iTunes Store. Any music with a match is automatically added to iCloud. Since there are more than 20 million songs in the iTunes Store, most of your music is probably already in iCloud. All you have to upload is what iTunes can’t match. Which is much faster than starting from scratch. Once your music is in iCloud, you can stream and store it on any of your devices. Even better, all the music iTunes matches plays back from iCloud at 256-Kbps AAC DRM-free quality — even if your original copy was of lower quality.
This means that iTunes Match not only saves you time but also enhances the quality of your music collection. For example, if you have old MP3 files that were ripped at a lower bit rate, iTunes Match will upgrade these tracks to 256-Kbps AAC format, providing a better listening experience. This is particularly beneficial for audiophiles who are keen on maintaining high-quality music libraries.
Benefits of iTunes Match
One of the standout features of iTunes Match is its seamless integration with iCloud. Once your music is matched and uploaded, you can access it from any Apple device, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This eliminates the need to manually sync your music across multiple devices, saving you both time and effort.
Moreover, iTunes Match supports a wide range of music formats, including MP3, AAC, WAV, and AIFF. This flexibility ensures that almost any music file you have can be matched and uploaded to iCloud. Additionally, the service is not limited to music purchased from the iTunes Store; it also includes tracks ripped from CDs or downloaded from other sources.
Another significant advantage is the ability to download your matched music for offline listening. This is particularly useful when you are in areas with poor internet connectivity or when you want to save on data usage. Simply download your favorite tracks to your device, and you can enjoy them anytime, anywhere.
You can find out more details about iTunes Match over at Apple. To use the service, you will need to download the latest version of iTunes, iTunes 10.5.1. This version includes all the necessary updates and features to support iTunes Match, ensuring a smooth and efficient user experience.
In summary, iTunes Match offers a convenient and efficient way to manage your music library across multiple devices. With its ability to match and upgrade your music, seamless integration with iCloud, and support for offline listening, it provides a comprehensive solution for music lovers. Whether you have a vast collection of tracks or just a few favorite albums, iTunes Match makes it easier than ever to enjoy your music wherever you are.
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