Apple has released a third beta of iTunes 10.5.1 to developers with performance and stability improvements. The beta, which is now available on the iOS Developer Center allows for continued testing of iTunes Match. Apple’s email to registered developers:

iTunes Match missed its planned end of October launch date, and now that beta releases are coming out more quickly, we think an official launch is not too far off. Check out iTunes 10.5.1 beta 3 release notes after the break: 

iTunes 10.5.1 Beta 3 Release Notes

iTunes 10.5.1 beta 3 includes a number of important stability and performance improvements for iTunes Match, and is a required update for all subscribers to iTunes Match beta.

Backup regularly and do not delete the music you add to iCloud from your computer. Apple may periodically delete all iCloud libraries during the beta period. This will require you to scan, match, and upload songs again.

About Subscribing

iTunes Match beta is available to iOS developers in the United States.

  • iTunes Match beta is available as an automatically renewing subscription for $24.99 per year. You may cancel at any time from your Account settings.

  • You can subscribe to iTunes Match using iTunes 10.5.1 beta 3 on your Mac or PC. You cannot subscribe to iTunes Match from your iOS device.

  • You can access your music in iCloud on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running iOS 5, your Mac or PC running iTunes 10.5.1 Beta 3 or your Apple TV running version 4.4.2 or later.

  • Once subscribed, you can add up to 25,000 songs to iCloud, and your iTunes purchases do not count against this limit. iTunes Match will not add your apps, books, movies, TV shows, ringtones, and audiobooks to iCloud. These items can continue to be synced to your iOS device with iTunes. iTunes LPs and iTunes Extras are also unsupported.

  • iTunes Match includes limits to how you may access your music in iCloud:

  • –  You can use iTunes Match on up to 10 computers and iOS devices, up to five of which can be computers authorized with your Apple ID.

  • –  You can only associate computers and devices with a different Apple ID once every 90 days.Getting StartedTo subscribe to iTunes Match:

  • Install iTunes 10.5.1 beta 3 on your Mac or PC

  • Open iTunes and choose Turn On iTunes Match from the Store menu

  • Click the Subscribe for $24.99 button and follow the onscreen instructions. Oncecomplete, your Music library will include songs on your computer and in iCloud.

  • –  You can use iTunes Match on up to 10 computers and iOS devices, up to five of which can be computers authorized with your Apple ID.

  • –  You can only associate computers and devices with a different Apple ID once every 90 days.Getting StartedTo subscribe to iTunes Match:

Once iTunes has completed matching your music with songs on the iTunes Store, you may begin accessing your music in iCloud from your other devices:

  • From your iOS device:

  • Tap Settings > Music > turn iTunes Match ON.This will disable syncing music with iTunes.

  • Press the Home button and tap Music.

  • From your other computers:

  • Install iTunes 10.5.1 beta 3 on your other Macs or PCs

  • Open iTunes and choose Store > Sign In. Sign in using the same Apple ID you usedto subscribe to iTunes Match.

  • Choose Store > Turn On iTunes Match

  • Click the Add This Computer button

  • Once complete, your Music library will include songs on your computer and iniCloud.

  • Tap Settings > Music > turn iTunes Match ON.This will disable syncing music with iTunes.

  • Press the Home button and tap Music.

  • Install iTunes 10.5.1 beta 3 on your other Macs or PCs

  • Open iTunes and choose Store > Sign In. Sign in using the same Apple ID you usedto subscribe to iTunes Match.

  • Choose Store > Turn On iTunes Match

  • Click the Add This Computer button

  • Once complete, your Music library will include songs on your computer and iniCloud.