It had to happen, didn’t it? The roll out of Apple AAPL +0.87% iOS 8.4 appeared to be the smoothest in recent memory, but now a spanner has been thrown in the works and – worst of all – Apple only has itself to blame…
Unlike previous iOS hiccups, the flaw in iOS 8.4 is entirely deliberate. It isn’t a bug or a security exploit, but something much more straightforward (and therefore less forgivable): Apple has killed a feature millions love.
With iOS 8.4 Home Sharing has been crippled. Whereas previously it was a great way to share video and audio around the home, now its music sharing ability has been stripped out. This is particularly infuriating given the launch of the new Apple Music streaming service and – cynics will argue – perhaps not entirely coincidental.
Despite making no formal comment on the unpopular move Apple has quietly updated its Home Sharing support web page to reflect the change.
For those not familiar with Home Sharing, it has been an iOS staple since v4.3 and enabled iPhones, iPads and iPods to stream audio and video from computers on the same network that were running iTunes
Of course it could be argued that a combination of the new Apple Music Family Plan ($14.99pm for up to six people) and iTunes Match negates this, but it is impossible to hide the fact Apple has ditched something free for an alternative with a price tag attached to it. One that will add up over time.
But don’t despair just yetCould Home Sharing Audio Return?
For those hugely frustrated by this move, there is perhaps a chance Apple could reverse the decision. AppleInsider reports that iOS 8.4 beta release notes described Home Sharing as “not currently available” which a) kept its removal under the radar, but b) means it could yet come back – especially if there is a large enough backlash.
Needless to say, those who don’t use iOS Home Sharing won’t care less, but enough people do that it has convinced me to downgrade my iOS 8.4 install recommendation. Sorry Apple, but you did it to yourself.
Unlike previous iOS hiccups, the flaw in iOS 8.4 is entirely deliberate. It isn’t a bug or a security exploit, but something much more straightforward (and therefore less forgivable): Apple has killed a feature millions love.
With iOS 8.4 Home Sharing has been crippled. Whereas previously it was a great way to share video and audio around the home, now its music sharing ability has been stripped out. This is particularly infuriating given the launch of the new Apple Music streaming service and – cynics will argue – perhaps not entirely coincidental.
Despite making no formal comment on the unpopular move Apple has quietly updated its Home Sharing support web page to reflect the change.
For those not familiar with Home Sharing, it has been an iOS staple since v4.3 and enabled iPhones, iPads and iPods to stream audio and video from computers on the same network that were running iTunes
Of course it could be argued that a combination of the new Apple Music Family Plan ($14.99pm for up to six people) and iTunes Match negates this, but it is impossible to hide the fact Apple has ditched something free for an alternative with a price tag attached to it. One that will add up over time.
But don’t despair just yetCould Home Sharing Audio Return?
For those hugely frustrated by this move, there is perhaps a chance Apple could reverse the decision. AppleInsider reports that iOS 8.4 beta release notes described Home Sharing as “not currently available” which a) kept its removal under the radar, but b) means it could yet come back – especially if there is a large enough backlash.
Needless to say, those who don’t use iOS Home Sharing won’t care less, but enough people do that it has convinced me to downgrade my iOS 8.4 install recommendation. Sorry Apple, but you did it to yourself.
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