Apple announced a while back at their “Let’s Talk iPhone” media event that iTunes Match would launch by the end of October. We are now in November, and Apple hasn’t given any update on when iTunes Match will officially launch.
iTunes Match is basically a service that will match whatever music you have in your iTunes library and will then let you stream the music directly to your iOS device from the cloud. The service will cost $24.99 per year.
What is iTunes Match?
iTunes Match is a part of Apple’s iCloud service, which aims to make your digital life more seamless by storing your content in the cloud and making it accessible from any of your devices. The service scans your iTunes library and matches your songs to the tracks available in the iTunes Store. If a match is found, the song is automatically added to your iCloud library, allowing you to stream or download it in high-quality 256 kbps AAC format. This means that even if your original file is of lower quality, you can enjoy a better listening experience.
For songs that aren’t available in the iTunes Store, iTunes Match will upload them to iCloud, making them accessible from any of your devices. This is particularly useful for rare or live recordings that you may have in your collection.
Current Status and Future Prospects
It isn’t clear as yet when the iTunes Match service will launch. Apple is reported to have signed deals with all the major record labels in the US for iTunes Match and is also reported to be in talks with labels in other countries, including Europe and the UK. Although the service is expected to be US-only at first, there is significant interest from international users who are eagerly awaiting its availability.
The delay in the launch could be attributed to several factors. Negotiations with record labels can be complex and time-consuming, especially when it involves multiple countries with different licensing laws. Additionally, Apple may be working on ensuring that the service is robust and free of bugs before its official release. Given Apple’s reputation for quality, it’s likely that they want to make sure everything is perfect before rolling it out to the public.
Another aspect to consider is the competition. Services like Spotify and Amazon Music already offer cloud-based music streaming, and Apple will need to ensure that iTunes Match offers unique features or better value to attract users. The ability to upgrade your music quality and the seamless integration with the iTunes ecosystem are strong selling points, but the market is highly competitive.
For those who are eagerly waiting, it’s worth noting that Apple has a history of delaying product launches to ensure quality. For example, the original iPhone was announced in January 2007 but didn’t hit the shelves until June of that year. While the wait can be frustrating, it often results in a more polished and reliable product.
In the meantime, users can prepare for iTunes Match by organizing their iTunes libraries and ensuring that their metadata is accurate. This will make the matching process smoother once the service is available.
Source Mac Rumors
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