Is there any way to use iTunes match to stream music over the web. i.e. not have iTunes installed locally...would like to use it at work and if there is a way to sign into say iCloud and stream music from that it would be something I would be interested in but if not it seems like a feature that many would like.
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iTunes Match Streaming
- Thread starter agpatel
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A common misconception is that iTunes Match, on iOS devices, is a streaming service like Spotify, etc.
On your Mac, iTunes Match IS a streaming service with the option to download any single track or full album via the "cloud" button alongside each track.
On iOS devices, your only option is to download the track to your device, which is costly if done often if you're not on an unlimited data plan. The tracks are then stored, physically, on your iOS device the same as they are if you sync the track yourself from your computer via iTunes.
On your Mac, iTunes Match IS a streaming service with the option to download any single track or full album via the "cloud" button alongside each track.
On iOS devices, your only option is to download the track to your device, which is costly if done often if you're not on an unlimited data plan. The tracks are then stored, physically, on your iOS device the same as they are if you sync the track yourself from your computer via iTunes.
It's exactly the same bandwidth cost download or streaming. Makes no difference, it's a 256kbps AAC stream.
Apple is doing you a favor by downloading/caching it permanently in your device, it means the next time you go to play it, it doesn't have to pull it down over your 3G connection thus potentially saving you quite a bit of bandwidth.
I meant it was costly because on iOS if you download a lot of songs and you're not on an unlimited data plan, it can cost you money on your bill if you go beyond your cap. It honestly wasn't rocket science.
On iOS, the content is not streamed. So if you download 50 songs, I am more than aware that they're already on there for you to use again and all at 256kbps, but if you go to download another 50 (different songs) in the same month and you're not on an unlimited plan, then it can be costly.
The quality of the stream is utterly irrelevant in the point I made above.
I am on the fence with Match for this reason. I would love to get an 8GB iPhone and be able to stream all my music without having to download it on my iPhone also to hear it.
iTunes Match doesnt allow you to just stream the music - may just do a compromise - set up a playlist with songs you wanna listen to - download it - listen it and then just delete it from the device
