It appears that Apple has quietly launched its streaming music service via its MobileMe iDisk App. This move comes contrary to recent reports suggesting that the Cloud streaming service had been delayed.
iDisk, similar to Microsoft’s SkyDrive and Google Docs, was upgraded last month to allow stored music to be played via the MobileMe iDisk App.
How the Service Works
If you are a MobileMe user, you can now upload your audio files in MP3 or AAC format to your iDisk account and then play them back using your Apple devices. This includes the capacity to stream to multiple devices at the same time, making it convenient for users who own several Apple products. The ability to stream music from the cloud means you no longer need to store large music files directly on your device, freeing up valuable storage space.
To get started, users need to upload their music files to their iDisk account. Once uploaded, these files can be accessed and streamed through the MobileMe iDisk App. This feature is particularly useful for those who have extensive music libraries and wish to access their music on the go without having to sync their devices constantly.
Limitations and Future Improvements
However, as the service has not been officially launched, there are a few limitations. For instance, cover art is not supported, which means that users won’t see album artwork when playing their music. Additionally, there is no support for playlists, making it difficult to organize and play music in a specific order. Another significant limitation is the lack of automatic uploads as you add new music to iTunes. This means that users will need to manually upload new music files to their iDisk account, which can be time-consuming.
Despite these limitations, the quiet launch of this service indicates that Apple is testing the waters for a more comprehensive cloud-based music streaming service. Future updates may address these limitations, potentially adding features such as cover art support, playlist functionality, and automatic uploads. These improvements would make the service more user-friendly and competitive with other cloud-based music services like Spotify and Google Play Music.
Moreover, the ability to stream music to multiple devices simultaneously is a significant advantage. This feature allows users to enjoy their music seamlessly across different Apple devices, whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It also opens up possibilities for shared listening experiences, where multiple users can stream the same music in different locations.
In conclusion, while the current iteration of Apple’s cloud music streaming service via the MobileMe iDisk App has its limitations, it represents a step forward in cloud-based music streaming. As Apple continues to refine and expand this service, it has the potential to become a major player in the music streaming industry.
For more information, you can visit the original reports from Cult of Mac and Michael Robertson, as well as additional insights from Computer World.
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