Apple has issued Beta 2 of iTunes 10.5.1 to developers tonight to provide further testing for the upcoming iTunes Match service:
iTunes 10.5.1 beta 2 is now available and includes a number of important stability and performance improvements. iTunes Match is also now available for testing on Apple TV.
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 and now your Apple TV.
iTunes Match is Apple's $25/year subscription service that will match your existing iTunes library with 256-Kbps versions in the iCloud. The service was expected to be launched at the "end of October", but has since missed that target.
Apple has provided no new estimate for a launch date for the iTunes Match service.
Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie.
"Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.
The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future.
To set up the...
Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works.
We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by Joe Rossignol
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more.
Apple is expected to release/update the following products...
Wednesday February 11, 2026 10:07 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes almost two months after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2.
The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
According to Apple's release notes, ...
As a Beta user of iTunes Match since Day 1 I must say that you WANT to wait. It's been buggy as all hell. I noticed already that this release is MUCH faster so far.
Please be patient people... Apple just wants to do the right thing and release a great product. That's the difference between Apple and everyone else.
If I understand correctly, Apple wants me - the average Mac-fan - to pay $25 a year in order to:
1. Lose control and privacy over my music library.
2. Become completely dependent on a good internet connection at any time.
3. Become completely dependent on iCloud to work well and smoothly at any time.
4. Listen to all my stuff on downgraded quality.
I certainly missed something, but I'll stick to old school methods:
1. I'm the only one to rule over my music collection. I decide who to share my music with. I'm still the king in my little network :o
2. I can listen to anything I like everywhere, anytime, even if the net's not available :)
3. My music collection (with backup) is stored in my iPod and hard drives that I have physical control over. If anything fails I see it right away and can deal with it :eek:
4. All my stuff has a bit rate of at least 320 kbps and I don't want anything less ... even if my ears can't hear the difference :rolleyes:
5. I'll spend $25 a year on music instead :p
