Apple Moves Closer To Cloud-based iTunes With Streaming Samples

Apple appears to be moving closer to a cloud-based iTunes, now offering 30-second sound clips via its browser-based iTunes Preview. The new feature may be a result of the Cupertino, Calif. company’s $85 million acquisition of Lala.

The new feature, noticed this week, allows people to listen to a sample of songs available through the Web-based service silently introduced in November. Itunes Preview lets customers view song titles without requiring they open Apple’s iTunes application.

The new ability is limited however. To purchase a track, users still need to select “View in iTunes.” The playback uses Quicktime and is encoded as 44.1 AAC 300+ kbits/second streams.

With its newly-acquired Lala, Apple could expand iTunes, allowing users to stream their music collection from any computer connected to the Internet. Currently, the company links iTunes management to individual computers.

Unlike Apple, Google’s partnership with Lala permits users to search for songs and stream the full track, rather than just 30-second samples.

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[Via AppleInsider, 9to5Mac]

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