14 DAY TRIAL // A new service from Apple, “iTunes in the Cloud”, is now available as a beta by downloading the latest version of iTunes for Mac and Windows.
iTunes 10.3 adds delivers the iTunes in the Cloud beta, which makes the music you purchase in iTunes appear automatically on all your devices.
“Purchase music from any device or computer and automatically download a copy to your Mac and iOS devices,” Apple says, weighing in on the Automatic Downloads feature.
The feature works over Wi-Fi as well as 3G and basically eliminates the need to tether your device to a Mac or PC and sync.
The Download Previous Purchases function is also detailed by the Mac maker: “Download your past music purchases again at no additional cost.”
“Your purchases are available in the iTunes Store on your Mac or in the iTunes app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Previous purchases may be unavailable if they are no longer on the iTunes Store,” according to a technical note posted on Apple’s Support / Downloads website.
The newest version of iTunes also adds Books to the iTunes Store. Customers can automatically download them to iBooks on their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, Apple confirmed.
Automatic Downloads can also be used with apps or previously purchased apps and books from your computer or iOS device.
iTunes in the Cloud is available today in the US and requires iTunes 10.3 and iOS 4.3.3.
Apple confirmed that iTunes Match, another iCloud feature, will be making its debut this fall.
The function determines which songs in your collection are available in the iTunes Store and any music with a match is automatically added to your iCloud library for more convenience and enhanced sound quality.