Thanks for that Haley! Nothing here so far. It will require an iTunes update (just checked, no update available yet). However when that hits I'd expect iTunes Match won't be far behind!Looks like iTunes match is 12th November for USA. MacDailyNews has said on its website.
Apple has informed developers that as the company prepares for the launch of iTunes Match, they will be deleting all current iCloud libraries on Saturday, November 12th at 10 AM PST, according to multiple trusted sources.
Apple told developers via email, Please turn off iTunes Match on all of your computers and iOS devices. On your computer, choose Store > Turn off iTunes Match. On your iOS device, tap Settings > Music, then turn off iTunes Match. On your Apple TV, please choose Music > Turn off iTunes Match, the sources told MacDailyNews.
iTunes Match is built into the iTunes app on your Mac or PC and the Music app on your iOS devices. It lets you store your entire collection, including music you've imported from CDs or purchased somewhere other than iTunes for US$24.99 a year.
Here's how iTunes Match works: iTunes determines which songs in your collection are available in the iTunes Store. Any music with a match is automatically added to your iCloud library. Since there are 20+ million songs in the iTunes Store, most of your music is probably already in iCloud. All you have to upload is anything that iTunes can't match (much faster than starting from scratch). Once your music is in iCloud, you can stream and store it on any of your devices and 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.
Source: Apple prepares iTunes Match launch; informs developers of iCloud library deletion on Nov. 12 – MacDailyNews - Welcome Home
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The more I think about what Apple has done with the Music App, the more I'm wondering if all of the changes aren't based on the upcoming iTunes Match service? It was supposed to be launched on or about the same time as iOS 5...but that didn't happen. Perhaps we're just experiencing a "crippled" version of the Music App?
I can see where lyrics and some other "tagged" features may have conflicts with what's going to be stored in the iCloud/iTunes Match database and those on user's computers. To avoid a clash and the resulting complaints, as well as reduce data storage requirements, I can see Apple making the decision not include some features that the iPod App had. I don't know that I like it, but I can understand why that might be the case. It's also possible that we'll be rewarded with restored or new functionality when iTunes Match is launched. One can only hope.
The bottom line is that we all know that Apple's app features are not static and historically most have seen improvements over time so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that whatever iTunes Match (and the Music App) offer initially, it will continue to be a work in progress and like fine wine will improve with time.
When I said "crippled" I meant at this time. Again, iTunes Match was slated to be available by the end of October...so my WAG was/is that the Music App should have been launched in concert with iTunes Match and perhaps all of the functionality that we had grown accustomed to with the iPod App would have been and may still be available with the Music App once iTunes Match is enabled.Cripple existing functions to drive customers toward functions that cost, like matching? Could well be the case. That kind of business practice would help tip me toward other hardware options.