Leak has cloud-based iTunes delayed until summer
updated 03:05 pm EDT, Wed March 31, 2010
Streaming iTunes won't come with iPad
Apple's rumored streaming iTunes locker won't be ready until the summer at the earliest, music business contacts claimed on Wednesday. A service for storing a user's music online had once been pegged for the spring but now reportedly has been pushed back until at least a season later. What created the setback wasn't mentioned to CNET in the apparent leak.
A summer launch would fit more into Apple's regular music plans; in the past few years it has updated its iPods and iTunes software in or very near September and could use streaming as a major component.
The service would be the direct offshoot of Apple buying out Lala and would help increase the appeal of not just lower-capacity iPods and iPhones but the iPad as well. Although it's billed as a challenger to netbooks, the iPad's limited storage gives it only a small amount of space for media. Streaming an existing iTunes collection would offset this by making it accessible from anywhere, a particular advantage for the 3G-capable iPad.
In spite of recent talks, though, studio sources have also at least temporarily dashed hopes for a streaming video equivalent. It allegedly hasn't cooperated much with studios and only sent them a demo iPad to try. Movie producers are interested as the iPad could fuel Apple's currently small (if successful) movie download service, but no signs have surfaced of more definitive action.
Apple won't go without streaming music or video on its devices in the near future, as on-demand Slacker and Bitbop video will cover both areas, but the absence of an official option may see this money go to third-party providers.
Microsoft unusually may beat Apple to similar features in the near future, as Zune HD 4.5 will bring on-device Smart DJ to give streaming access to a Zune Pass from the handheld itself. Movies on the Zune HD are currently download-only, but Microsoft already provides instant-on 1080p video for the Xbox 360 and has signaled its hopes to expand this to its other platforms in the future.
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My predictions:
Cloud-based iTunes when version "10" is released this summer.
iPad-enabled/compatible iLife '10 this summer. Including iPhoto for iPad (not just "Photos" or "Pictures") with many extra options. iWeb for iPad including publishing and editing of existing and new sites. May include, as it did before, the iTunes for iPad that enables the could-based content. Apple's not going to give it away for free...