Apple’s iCloud and iOS 5: What We Know So Far
As the summer winds down, we’re starting to get a glimpse of what Apple has in store for us with its upcoming iOS 5 and iCloud. Two major features that are sure to make waves in the tech world are iTunes in the Cloud and music streaming from the cloud.
iTunes in the Cloud: A Game-Changer?
Tonight brought perhaps the biggest surprise revelation yet: iTunes in the Cloud will support both downloading and streaming of music. Yes, you read that right – not only can you download your music from the cloud, but you can also stream it directly to your device. This is a major departure from Apple’s previous stance on this feature.
A Comparison with Other Music Services
Now, before everyone starts yelling "FIRST!!!", let’s put things into perspective. Yes, other music services like Google Music Beta and Amazon Cloud Player have offered cloud-based streaming for some time now. However, neither of those services is iTunes, the largest music retailer on the planet (online or offline). And there are plenty of other services that offer only streaming capabilities.
iTunes in the Cloud: A Big Deal
This fall, when iCloud launches, it’s now clear that iTunes will offer both cloud downloading and cloud streaming. This is a big deal because during the WWDC unveiling, Apple didn’t mention streaming at all. In fact, many thought they had dropped this feature altogether.
Why the Silence on Streaming?
But why did Apple keep quiet about streaming until now? According to some sources, even Apple itself is avoiding using the term "streaming" when discussing iCloud. There are two reasons for this: first, it’s a matter of semantics; second, it highlights how cloud-based services like iTunes in the Cloud can be used in different ways.
What Does This Mean for Us?
So what does this mean for us users? Simply put, we’ll have more options when it comes to accessing our music. We can choose to download our favorite tunes or stream them directly from the cloud. And with iCloud’s seamless syncing capabilities, we won’t even need to worry about switching between devices.
Insanely Great Mac
In fact, Insanely Great Mac has already posted some screenshots of iTunes in the Cloud in action. Take a look for yourself and see how this feature will revolutionize the way you access your music.
Update: The Debate Over "Streaming"
There’s been some debate going on about whether or not Apple is actually streaming music from the cloud, rather than just downloading it temporarily to our devices. Even Google uses similar semantics with its own cloud-based music service. But one thing is clear: regardless of what we call it, iTunes in the Cloud is here to stay.
MG Siegler
In related news, MG Siegler has written an article on TechCrunch about the implications of Apple’s iCloud and iOS 5 features for the tech industry as a whole. As a general partner at Google Ventures, Siegler brings a unique perspective to this story, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
What Do You Think?
So what do you think about iTunes in the Cloud and music streaming from the cloud? Are you excited about these new features or have some concerns about how they’ll work in practice? Let us know in the comments!
