iTunes 10.3 now available with iCloud beta

Apple has now released the iTunes 10.3 update that includes the much hyped iTunes in the Cloud beta.

iCloud, the much-rumoured cloud streaming service, was introduced by Apple yesterday at the Worldwide Developer Conference. Steve Jobs took to the stage at Moscone West to show off the new service, described by Jobs' famous tagline as "It just works."

The idea, Jobs explained, was that the PC as the media hub is an outdated model. "Keeping devices in sync is driving us crazy," Jobs said. With iCloud, Apple plans to move the focus towards "the cloud". iPhones, iPads and the like can all sync with the cloud. Content is uploaded, downloaded and pushed to all of your devices automatically.

Click here for a full run-down of the features in iCloud, or here for how you can make your non-purchased (ripped) music library "legal" for just $24.99.

What's new in iTunes 10.3

 Introducing iTunes in the Cloud beta. The music you purchase in iTunes appears automatically on all your devices. You can also download your past iTunes purchases. Where you want, when you want. 

• 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 purchases again at no additional cost. Your purchases are available in the iTunes Store on your Mac or in the iTunes app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Previous purchases may be unavailable if they are no longer on the iTunes Store.

iTunes 10.3 also adds Books to the iTunes Store, where you can discover and buy your favorite books on your computer and automatically download them to iBooks on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

This version also allows you to use Automatic Downloads with apps and books or download previously purchased apps and books from your computer or iOS device.