International iTunes Match rollout begins after premature launch
Apple has officially launched its cloud-based iTunes Match service in numerous countries, with the news coming on the heels of reports saying the company promised to refund customers who subscribed to a premature launch on Wednesday.
Following an accidental launch on Wednesday, Apple is officially rolling out iTunes Match to countries outside the U.S. and Brazil, with users seeing changes in their respective iTunes Stores granting them access to the service.
Citing Apple's support forums, iPodNN revealed on Thursday that the international iTunes Match launch was in fact premature, and refunds were being given to those who "accidentally" subscribed to the service. It now seems that Match is up and running in France, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Spain
Apple's subscriber-based music matching service was thought to have gone live on Wednesday but the sign-up page was removed and refunds were promised.
The page was reinstated on Thursday, allowing users to once again sign up for the service.
Spanish iTunes homepage with 'new' iTunes Match
Previous reports noted that some would-be subscribers were experiencing problems during the sign-up process, and those who managed to get through complained that they couldn't access the service. This lead some to take to Apple's support forums where it was explained that the launch was indeed accidental and all money paid would subsequently be refunded.
Because users can now subscribe to Match through the iTunes store, however, it is unclear if the refunds will still be issued or how the launch will affect those who subscribed during the premature rollout.
Screenshot of French iTunes Match landing page
The multi-country release of iTunes Match is confirmation that Apple secured a deal for cloud-based music distribution outside the U.S. and Brazil, as reported in September.
Following an accidental launch on Wednesday, Apple is officially rolling out iTunes Match to countries outside the U.S. and Brazil, with users seeing changes in their respective iTunes Stores granting them access to the service.
Citing Apple's support forums, iPodNN revealed on Thursday that the international iTunes Match launch was in fact premature, and refunds were being given to those who "accidentally" subscribed to the service. It now seems that Match is up and running in France, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Spain
Apple's subscriber-based music matching service was thought to have gone live on Wednesday but the sign-up page was removed and refunds were promised.
The page was reinstated on Thursday, allowing users to once again sign up for the service.
Spanish iTunes homepage with 'new' iTunes Match
Previous reports noted that some would-be subscribers were experiencing problems during the sign-up process, and those who managed to get through complained that they couldn't access the service. This lead some to take to Apple's support forums where it was explained that the launch was indeed accidental and all money paid would subsequently be refunded.
Because users can now subscribe to Match through the iTunes store, however, it is unclear if the refunds will still be issued or how the launch will affect those who subscribed during the premature rollout.
Screenshot of French iTunes Match landing page
The multi-country release of iTunes Match is confirmation that Apple secured a deal for cloud-based music distribution outside the U.S. and Brazil, as reported in September.
Comments
Some of the files are Podcasts -- others are old-time radio.
Many of the non-music files are 1-2 hours long.
These are available on all our iPads (1s and 2s) and our iPhone 4 and 4S.
None of these iDevices have any audio files stored on the devices.
For example, I am currently listen to an old Orson Wells radio broadcast from from 1938: War of the Worlds -- on my iPhone 4S... AirPlaying to The B&O in the Living Room...
This is a fantastic capability.
I think we'll have the family listen to the old radio Classic: "A Christmas Carol" on Christmas eve.
Apple really seem to struggle with this whole internet thing sometimes.
Not working for me in the UK. It just comes up with "iTunes Match has encountered an error. Please sign in again". Signing in again however, simply repeats the same error.
Apple really seem to struggle with this whole internet thing sometimes.
Sorry to hear that you're having problems...
There were some early problems in the US... but they got resolved quickly.
It wasn't exactly straight forward to set up -- you might want to do a Yahoo for "iTunes Match Problems"... there are quite a few hints and tips!
I also noticed, TV Shows are now avaliable for redownloaing under the purchases tab in the store. Happy days
Then last night, I 'matched' a CD and ten out of twelve songs were uploaded. The same album is on iTunes.
Love it, needs work.
It took years to have movies, we still do not have tv series...
Just got my Match setup and working, no issues so far...
I also noticed, TV Shows are now avaliable for redownloaing under the purchases tab in the store. Happy days
I noticed this too but for only a few more selected countries. Yeah Canada!!
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519
Now if they could do that with movies...
I think we'll have the family listen to the old radio Classic: "A Christmas Carol" on Christmas eve.
OTR is great, whenever I start listening I just can't turn it off.
I would just like to confirm what others have been saying here. At the same time Match rolled out in Australia (and presumably the other countries), the ability to redownload TV shows came online. Previously you could only redownload Music, Apps and Books.
Still, early days.