I don't think so, as iTunes Match functions identically in iOS 6 as it did in iOS 5. While you can always delete the music after you've listened to it, a service such as Spotify might be better for your needs.
I'm using ML here. I have itunes match and it streams (not downloaded unless you click on the icloud button to download).
On iphone 4S and iPad 3 using beta 3, you can stream music over wifi and over 3G (my tracks are 256kbps)
The tracks do not get stored on the device UNLESS YOu DOWNLOAD THE TRACKS SPECIFICALLY.
Using 10.6.3 (25) build of iTunes on mountain lion.
This isn't true (for the 4S/iPad 3). I thought this also (because the clouds usually indicate what's downloaded), but if you play a song and let it finish (or not) off any album (say an album with 10 songs) then you'll go back and see it gives you the option to download the other "9". It stores the songs locally to save on data (I believe).
???
I'm using both iPhone 4S and ipad 3 and both streams music from both devices. I do this while in my car using LTE and 3G from both devices with no songs installed. When the song finishes playing it streams from the next song in my playlist. No songs are stored on my device. There are hiccups occasionally due to my connection but at home using wifi everything works flawlessly.
I don't know if u mean the data is buffered lo cally on the device but I don't have any of the songs installed. I have restream. In iTunes on my laptop you can see it streaming in. There is nothing downloaded unless u specifically ask it to download.
It works for any playlists you set up.
It's not true streaming. When you play a song in iOS 6 through iTunes Match. It caches the song and keeps it for local use (when you don't have acces to wi-fi or cellular data). I have done tests on my iPhone 4S and my two iPod touchs. I play the same song. Let it finish and pause at the last second. Then I go to setting and disable show all music. I go back and see the same song. I also put the iPods and my iPhone in Airplane Mode and it's still there and it plays. iTunes Match streams and download which is streaming but the true streaming like Spotify. I think apple removes the cloud sign from individual songs to remove confusion to people.I'm on iOS 6 beta 3, iPhone 3GS and 3rd gen iPad. For all the iOS 6 betas I've found iTunes Match has changed to become more akin to a streaming service. I'm able to view my library with NO songs downloaded to the device, play any song by tapping on it normally (the cloud icon per song is gone, it all looks like it's on the device), and when done the song does NOT download to the device. You are unable to download individual songs, but you are able to download albums or playlists permanently.
As for the streaming itself, it seems to stream at only 256kbps, full quality. However, I've noticed much more issues than for example Spotify, especially on slower connections but even on fast wifi. Songs tend to take longer to start playing, and lag or buffer more often. That said, on a decent connection once you start playing a playlist for example, it works fairly well. It pre buffers the next song, and so can maintain playing reasonably well as long as you don't switch songs abrubtly. This is much improved over iOS 5, where there would be a noticeable pause between songs not on the device.
So it is more like streaming, with the option to download. However, the music app is very buggy ATM on my 3GS in particular, lots of issues. Additionally, there doesn't seem to be a way to delete locally stored music as it is (unlike iOS 5).
So more like streaming, yes. But not really like spotify, not as consistent an experience as is. So far, I like the direction it's heading in, and the quality is always superb.
It's not true streaming. When you play a song in iOS 6 through iTunes Match. It caches the song and keeps it for local use (when you don't have acces to wi-fi or cellular data). I have done tests on my iPhone 4S and my two iPod touchs. I play the same song. Let it finish and pause at the last second. Then I go to setting and disable show all music. I go back and see the same song. I also put the iPods and my iPhone in Airplane Mode and it's still there and it plays. iTunes Match streams and download which is streaming but the true streaming like Spotify. I think apple removes the cloud sign from individual songs to remove confusion to people.
Can someone tell me whats the advantage of streaming over saving it in the device? I am aware that it takes memory space in the phone to be saved but what about data usage (limited for most ppl) and network reception? It has to be something am missing here.....
Anyone know if, in iOS 6, will itunes match offer true streaming of your library to your iPhone, and not download the music to the device?
You're not missing something, they are. People just hear that Pandora and Spotify and the new cool services use streaming, and they hear that Apple is "caching" or "temporarily downloading with managed storage" or something and they think Apple isn't doing it the cool way. In reality, there's no practical advantage to "true streaming" and there are several advantages to Apple's method.
I can almost hear the hands slapping the foreheads across the internet every time this topic comes up and someone says "I wish I could switch from Spotify to iTunes but iTunes doesn't stream!"![]()
It's not true streaming. When you play a song in iOS 6 through iTunes Match. It caches the song and keeps it for local use (when you don't have acces to wi-fi or cellular data). I have done tests on my iPhone 4S and my two iPod touchs. I play the same song. Let it finish and pause at the last second. Then I go to setting and disable show all music. I go back and see the same song. I also put the iPods and my iPhone in Airplane Mode and it's still there and it plays. iTunes Match streams and download which is streaming but the true streaming like Spotify. I think apple removes the cloud sign from individual songs to remove confusion to people.
Can someone tell me whats the advantage of streaming over saving it in the device? I am aware that it takes memory space in the phone to be saved but what about data usage (limited for most ppl) and network reception? It has to be something am missing here.....