Apple Marches Inexorably Closer to iTunes Match Launch

Apple is inching inexorably closer to the public launch of its iTunes Match service, as demonstrated by an update to developers the company sent out on Friday. In that notice, Apple told developers that it would be deleting all current iCloud libraries on November 12th as part of its preparation for launch.

iTunes Match

iTunes Match

iTunes Match is Apple’s $24.99 per year service that matches all the music in your music library to songs on the company’s iCloud servers and then makes those songs available to all of your iTunes-enabled devices and computers. Similar to what the company already offers for iTunes purchases, iTunes Match will match songs gotten from other music download services, CDs, and even pirated material, assuming it can find a match.

The service had been expected to launch earlier this fall, but the company has been working out issues through a closed developer beta. We still don’t have an official launch date, but Friday’s notice suggests that Apple is getting closer to that date.

The company’s note to developers in full:

iTunes Match Update

As we prepare for the launch of iTunes Match, we will be deleting all current iCloud libraries on Saturday, November 12th at 10:00 AM PST.

Please turn off iTunes Match on all of your computers and iOS devices. On your computer, choose Store > Turn off iTunes Match. On your iOS device, tap Settings > Music, then turn off iTunes Match, On your Apple TV, please choose Music > Turn off iTunes Match.

The songs on your computer should not be affected. As always, please backup regularly and do not delete the music you add to iCloud from your computer.

Best regards,

Apple Developer Program Support