アップルが、音楽クラウドサービスiTunes Match を日本国内向けに提供開始しました。年間登録料は3980円で、すでにiTunes Store から登録できます。
iTunes Match は、CD から取り込んだ曲を含むiTunes 内の音楽ファイルすべてをiCloud に保存し、同一のApple ID で関連付けられている端末からアクセスして聴けるクラウドサービス。
CD からiTunes へ取り込んだ曲のビットレートが低く、iTunes Store に同じ曲がある場合は、256kbps AAC に変換されてアップされます。なおiTunes Store に無い楽曲はそのままの音質でアップされます。
iTunes Match でiCloud に保存できる曲数は最大2万5000曲。iTunes Store で配信中の曲は制限に含まれません。
Apple ID には最大で10台までの端末を関連付けられます。なお関連付けはiTunes のGenius 機能を使用して行うため、iTunes Match 利用中はGenius を無効化できません。
iTunes Match を利用できる端末は、iOS 5.0.1 以降を搭載するiPhone/iPad/iPod touch と、iTunes 10.5.1 以降をインストールするWindows PC/Mac。
ほか利用上の注意点は：
- iTunes Match で利用できるのは、最大 2万5000 曲です。
- iTunes Match と同じ Apple ID を使って iTunes Store で購入した曲は、2万5000 曲の制限にはカウントされません。
- マッチしなかったコンテンツはアップロードされますが、アップロードの所要時間はデータ量やローカルネットワークの速度によって異なります。
- 200 MB を超える曲ファイルは iCloud にアップロードされません。
- 2 時間を超える曲ファイルは iCloud にアップロードされません。
- デジタル著作権管理 (DRM) で保護されている曲は、お使いのコンピュータでそのコンテンツを再生できる場合を除き、マッチせず、iCloud にもアップロードされません。
- ALAC、WAV、または AIFF フォーマットの曲は、ローカルで個別の 256 kbps AAC 一時ファイルにトランスコードされてから、iCloud にアップロードされます。元のファイルは変更されません。
- AAC または MP3 としてエンコードされた曲で、一定の品質基準を満たしていない曲は、マッチングされないか、iCloud にアップロードされません。
【関連記事】
(2014年5月2日「Engadget日本版」より転載)
Best Apps For Your Daily Commute
Podcasts(01 of17)
If you haven\'t discovered the joy of podcasts yet, then it\'s no wonder your commute needs a little rejuvenation!\n\nFrom comedy shows, to topical news discussions, download the iTunes Podcasts app, and then begin adding podcasts to your mobile device. \n\nWe recommend TEDTalks as a fantastic start. One of these inspirational lectures might just even propel you into a promotion or new career! (credit:iTunes)
News 360(02 of17)
If you\'re lucky enough to have mobile data or free WiFi during your work commute, then it\'s worth downloading a top-notch news reader. \n\nAt HuffPost, we like News 360. \n\nWith its simple interface, artful curation of stories and easy to navigate menu, this app is precisely what you need when trying to sort through the news noise of the web! (credit:News 360)
Fuel Smart(03 of17)
In this time of austerity, can you really afford to ignore useful apps that tell you about best fuel deals for your commute in your area? \n\nUsers of Fuel Smart log their most recent experiences of buying petrol via the app, so other drivers know which service stations are offering the lowest rates. \n\nThe fuel-price contributions are colour-coded which allows the user to know the age of the fuel price information (e.g within one-week, 1 to 3 weeks and more than 3 weeks old.\n\nThe app can also locate your nearest petrol station.\n\n\n\nFuel Smart UK \nAsda\nBP\nEsso\nMorrisons\nSainsburies\nShell\nTesco\nTexaco\nTotal\nQ8 (credit:Fuel Smart)
Kindle(04 of17)
You don\'t need to have a kindle reader with you to enjoy the wonders of digital reading. \n\nThis app allows you to access all the documents, journals and books in your Amazon kindle store. \n\nSo even if your tube journey is spent crammed in a tube carriage with no room to swing a reader, you can still whip out your phone and read another chapter of your latest book while wedged in a tight corner.\n\nJust don\'t forget to synchronise it before you leave the house! (credit:kindle)
Commute Greener(05 of17)
If you\'re concerned that your journey to work is destroying the planet, then there\'s a handy app for you. \n\nCommute Greener allows users to measure and reduce their carbon footprints. \n\nUsing the app, you can set your target for reducing your personal CO2 footprint, watch your progress, and share your experiences online with other commuters. (credit:Commute Greener)
Cycle Streets(06 of17)
Quite simply this app is a cycle journey planner for cyclists, by cyclists.\n\nYou can plan routes from A to B anywhere in the UK, with a choice of three routing modes to suit a range of cyclists from beginner to regular commuter. And the Photomap lets you submit photos of infrastructure problems or good practice around the UK.
Waze(07 of17)
Waze is an increasingly popular app among regular drivers who want to avoid unforeseen delays\n\nRoad users type in their destination address and then drive with the app open on their phone.\n\nLocal traffic activity will then be sent to the driver from other road users. \n\nDrivers can also share road reports on accidents, police traps, or any other hazards along the way, helping to give other users in the area a \'heads-up\' about what\'s to come.
Live Trains(08 of17)
Try as you might, it\'s not always easy plan a train journey down to the last minute. \n\nRandom obstacles can leave you frantic about catching your train, before arriving at a station only to discover your journey has been cancelled or delayed.\n\nLive Trains puts a stop to this merry-go-round of stress and confusion. \n\nThe app allows you to check the times trains are arriving and departing stations in real time, so you can foresee delays, note which platform to head for and work out a Plan B, if you\'re running late. \n\nUtterly indispensable.\n (credit:Live Trains)
Scrabble (FREE) iPhone/iPad/Android(09 of17)
What better way to shake off the day’s stresses than with a good old-fashioned, relaxing game of Scrabble? Unless you’re a Scrabble purist, that is. If you’re still smarting over the sacrilegious changes EA has made to the original Mattel game, try Words With Friends.\n\nVisit the iTunes store for iPhone and iPad versions or Google Play store for Android devices. (credit:Electronic Arts Inc)
Yahoo(10 of17)
A weather app is something no discerning commuter should be without, whether you\'re a fan of technology or not.\n\nAt present, the leader of the pack is Yahoo\'s app (winner of an Apple Design Award 2013), which combines detailed, accurate forecasting with a sublime interface. \n\nBoring weather predictions are transformed by stunning photography, and thoughtful quirks, such as photos that match your location, time of day, and current weather condition, ensure that you\'ll return to this app time and time again. (credit:Yahoo )
Buschecker(11 of17)
Trying to cut down commuter costs? Well make sure you have Buschecker downloaded on your phone in time for your next visit to London.\n\nThe Buschecker app can predict when your chosen routemaster will arrive. So no longer will you be left uncertainly waiting for a bus that may, or may not, arrive. You can sit happily in your cafe, and then dash out just in time to catch your ride. \n\nThis app turns bus travel in London into a more rational and predictable exercise. Although, sadly, it still can\'t prevent two buses coming along at once... (credit:Buschecker)
Google Maps(12 of17)
As long as you\'ve got a network connection, Google Maps will soon become an invaluable addition to your commuter life. \n\nIts GPS device can find your exact spot and then move with you, as you travel.\n\nThe only downside is that it\'s very easy to become entirely reliant on this app, so make sure you take a screen grab of useful maps ahead of any important journeys, just in case your phone loses its internet connection. (credit:Google Maps)
Tesco(13 of17)
There\'s nothing worse than feeling that your daily commute is waste of time. But with this app, you\'ll be able to keep on top of your domestic life, while heading into work. \n\nSupermarket apps vary widely in functionality, but the Tesco app consistently receives positive reviews from customers, because it actually makes their lives easier. \n\nThe app allows you to find your nearest Tesco store wherever you are, add your clubcard and scan it at checkout straight from your phone, order and amend your grocery online shop while you\'re on the move and scan the barcodes of products that you\'ve finished at home, so they\'re automatically added to your next shopping list. (credit:Tesco)
Sudoku(14 of17)
A must for Sudoku fans, this is by far the easiest way to play the number puzzle game on-the-go. No more rummaging to find a pen or getting newspaper print all over your hands. \n\nVisit the iTunes store for iPhone and iPad versions or Google Play store for Android devices. (credit:Finger Arts)
Trip Advisor(15 of17)
Instead of spending your commute dreaming about desert islands, why not plan your next holiday instead?\n\nTrip Advisor lets you search reviews for millions of hotels, restaurant and sites. Use it to find cheap flights, check prices and, most importantly, enjoy the searing honesty of the general public. \n\nTrip Advisor also offers a range of offline city guides, which are great for saving data charges when you’re abroad.\n\n
Account Tracker(16 of17)
Another way to get the most out of your commute, is to catch up on your finances.\n\n Account Tracker lets you track all of your bank accounts, bills and credit cards easily in one place. You can manage payments, set up a budget for yourself and create a handy pie chart to see the painful reality of how your money gets divided up each month.\n
Evernote(17 of17)
Don\'t let those \'lightbulb commuter\' moments go unrecorded. Instead, download the Evernote app.\n\nEvernote lets you take down notes through text, audio or photo as well as save your favourite web pages. \n\nYou can share your notes and sync with any device, so whatever you tap into your phone on the go can pop up on your computer at home. \n\nWarning: once you’ve tried it, you’ll find it hard to go back to writing stuff on your hand.