14 DAY TRIAL // After missing its deadline to launch iTunes Match to the general population, Apple is proceeding with the release of a new beta of iTunes for developers to test and provide feedback.
The seeding is primarily focused on iTunes Match, Apple’s $24.99 annual service that matches your music library against content in iCloud and serves it anywhere you are. iTunes 10.5.1 Beta 3 can be obtained from Apple's Mac Dev Center.
Apple’s email to developers this weekend said, “iTunes 10.5.1 beta 3 is now available. This update includes a number of important stability and performance improvements for iTunes Match. iTunes Match stores your music library in iCloud and allows you to enjoy your collection from anywhere, any time, on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, computer or Apple TV.”
Developers are being told how to subscribe and test the service, while veteran testers can go straight to the release notes.
These reveal that iTunes 10.5.1 beta 3 includes a bunch of stability and performance improvements for iTunes Match. Apple deems these tweaks as “important” and says the update is required for all subscribers to iTunes Match beta.
“Backup regularly and do not delete the music you add to iCloud from your computer. Apple may periodically delete all iCloud libraries during the beta period. This will require you to scan, match, and upload songs again,” reads a warning in the change log.
Currently the service is limited to the United States, but once Apple rolls it out publicly, additional countries and territories are to be granted access.
End users will be able to add up to 25,000 songs to iCloud, and their iTunes purchases will not count against this limit.
iTunes Match can be used on up to 10 computers and iOS devices. Five of these can be computers authorized with an Apple ID, and customers will only be permitted to associate a different Apple ID with their devices once every 90 days.