A few days ago, Apple enabled the ability for users to re-download purchased TV shows, as well as stream them to the Apple TV. Now, AppAdvice is alleging that this move is evidence for Apple's plans to launch a new re-downloading and streaming service dubbed iTunes Replay.
Since users already have the ability to re-download past music and video purchases, this seems like an inevitable next step for Apple. The feature would give all users access to movies, music and television shows they purchased as far back as January 1, 2009, as well as streaming abilities for the Apple TV and any iOS devices. AppAdvice also reports the alias "iTunes Replay" will stick and that it's currently being used internally.
The new service could be released in the next few weeks to purposefully distinguish its functionality from that of Apple's upcoming iCloud, which has just recently become available as a beta to app developers. If iTunes Replay indeed becomes a reality, it'll negate the need for third-party services like Spotify and Netflix, proving once again that life is nice inside the Apple sphere.
DanielSw
August 03, 2011 at 8:04pm
I think the whole iCloud concept is brilliant and very timely. Apple's "Digital Hub" enjoyed about a decade of usefulness, but with the advent of more "smart" devices, the Mac's role as the hub became too awkward and impractical. So now we have Apple's datacenters which are the new hubs and which allow streaming of all of our purchased content without being hampered by various storage constraint.
The gen2 Apple TV is a case in point. It's tiny and affordable, and it streams bulky video media with ease.
Can't wait for it to get "cloudy."
Beatleboy
August 03, 2011 at 5:10pm
I think the ability to re-download previously purchased material is absolutely brilliant!
D0GG
August 03, 2011 at 12:26pm
It is all about the cost to me. So long as Apple remains competitive in pricing for services, I am there.
