Apple has updated iTunes to version 10.5, an update that paves the way for the release of iOS 5 and the launch of Apple’s iCloud service, both of which launch on Wednesday. As part of iCloud, iTunes 10.5 also allows users to download their music and TV purchases to any iTunes-enabled device, have automatic downloads for their iTunes music purchases, and it adds the ability to re-download past purchases. Users will also be able to sync their iOS devices without tethering to a Mac or PC.
Apple’s patch notes:
What’s new in iTunes 10.5
- iTunes in the Cloud. iTunes now stores your music and TV purchases in iCloud and makes them available on your devices anywhere, any time, at no additional cost.
- Automatic Downloads. Purchase music from any device or computer and automatically download a copy to your Mac and iOS devices.
- Download Previous Purchases. Download your past music, TV, app, and book purchases again, at no additional cost. Previous purchases may be unavailable if they are no longer on the iTunes Store.
- Sync with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 5.
- Wi-Fi Syncing. Automatically sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes any time they’re both on the same Wi-Fi network.
The patch notes also mention security patches, but as of this writing, the company has yet to add that information to its running security KnowledgeBase article.
You can download the update through Software Update on the Mac, or through the Apple Updater utility in Windows. It’s a 60.9MB download in Lion.
Apple’s Download page currently lists iTunes 10.5 for Mac and Windows, but as of this writing, those links take you to an iTunes 10.4.1 download page. That is likely to be corrected shortly.
Going to apple.com/itunes will also allow you to download the update.