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iphone "direct" music download to phone is it possible?

I am thinking of purchasing a iphone. But I not 100% sure it can do what I want, in particular "direct" download of music to the iphone.

It appears from reading the manuals, you either have to:

1. Connection to a computer with itunes and sync music to the iphone.
2. Use WiFi itune store connection to download songs to iphone.

But it not really clear to me if I was sitting at a bus stop going to work, or on the bus I could be browsering the latest music and then download directly to the iphone bypassing having to go to a computer or having to be in my living room range of WiFi connection. (Australia)

I do think the device is excellent, dont get me wrong and I have a ipod nano. But the feature I probably use most is connecting and downloading music. If I limited to doing the same as my nano (syncing) or using my home WiFi connection then really no point of paying for internet on the phone if it can't direct download music.

I may have to wait for the next release when this becomes a feature.

Anth

iphone black 16GB, Windows XP

Posted on Sep 1, 2008 4:31 PM

Reply
21 replies

Sep 1, 2008 4:34 PM in response to DCUBEHILL

The itunes Wi-Fi Music store is exactly that - wi-fi music store. From the users guide:

"You can search for, browse, preview, purchase, and download songs and albums
from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store directly to iPhone. Your purchased content is
automatically copied to your iTunes library the next time you sync iPhone with your
computer.
To use the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, iPhone must join a Wi-Fi network that is
connected to the Internet. For information about joining a Wi-Fi network, see
“Connecting to the Internet” on page 31. "

Sep 1, 2008 5:36 PM in response to roaminggnome

So content is copied to itunes library not the iphone. This means even though the iphone is internet enable you still end up syncing like a nano ipod without internet capabilities. WiFi I would say is very limited in coverage in Australia, the only WiFi I use regularly is from the broadband connection within my living room. Which would mean I am paying for internet access twice once for iphone but can't download music directly too and twice for broadband at home to download music to the iphone.

Direct means, I can be anywhere with the iphone, connect to 3G network and do all internet related things I could do at my laptop.

It is strange cause if I connected to Teltra 3G or nextG network which is a mobile network and connected my laptop (itunes) I could download songs directly to the laptop. But iphone with 3G internet connectivity has to sync or use WiFi, why the difference?

Basically I don't wish to use a computer, I want itunes on the iphone, and to use 3G network access like a laptop, WiFi is to limited.

Either way looks like I will have to wait....lucky I found out before buying it and finding out it couldn't direct download music unless you within range of a WiFi network.

Sep 1, 2008 6:50 PM in response to roaminggnome

Look if I was to get the iphone, and the plan I was thinking of was $70 a month with 1GB download, from what I read and on this disscussion thread, I have to either sync like the ipod nano or limited to only WiFi and using my living room broadband to download songs instead of my iphone plan's, 1GB limit.

Yes the iphone has web,internet, email etc... But the reason I was thinking of updating to the iphone was for the ability to be mobile when it came to my music downloads. If I am on holidays or not at home I could still download music to the iphone.

The whole idea of iphone for me is mobile internet without requiring a computer and the music part a big component. I can't see I would use the 1GB limit without the download of music.

If this was possible, I be the first to go and buy this phone as it awesome.

The point is my nano doesn't have WiFi but neither is the iphone as mobile as I original thought, maybe I should update to the itouch as it is limited but would allow me to easierly download with my present home broadband (WiFi) and I would need to buy into another internet plan.

I do think all the features you mentioned are good but I want my music (ipod) to be fully mobile.

Sep 1, 2008 8:17 PM in response to roaminggnome

I think I just have to wait for the 3rd generation phone, I wonder if Apple has a enhancement request page were I can request if they include full download capacity (ie music direct to iphone),and it maybe not the phone but problem with network carriers capacity. Or if this maybe be corrected in a later fixpack.

Anyway thanks for everyone responses.

Sep 1, 2008 9:29 PM in response to DCUBEHILL

Found the reason why iphone lack 3G music downloads (extract from the web).

No 3G music downloads for iPhone

Looks like iTunes Wi-Fi music store will remain...well, Wi-Fi. Why couldn't Apple enable 3G music downloads for their new phone?

According to Apple's iPhone 3G product page, the mobile version of the iTunes music store will remain accessible only over the phone's Wi-Fi connection, and will not take advantage of the new 3G capability. I guess it shouldn't come as a shock that the wireless version of iTunes (dubbed "iTunes Wi-Fi") should remain a strictly Wi-Fi service. Still, it does seem like Apple has missed an obvious opportunity to allow users more ways to purchase music.

With services such as Napster Mobile and Rhapsody already allowing wireless music downloads over 3G networks for many iPhone competitors, Apple's reluctance to jump on board likely comes down to an unwillingness to share per-track revenues with AT&T. After all, when you own the music service and the hardware, why concede any profit to a wireless carrier if you can help it?

Only Apple knows for sure why music downloads have been locked out of the iPhone's 3G capability, but personally I'm disappointed to not see it included. The iPhone is so close to becoming a great music discovery tool, but limitations such as this and lack of Flash audio support are big barriers for online music fans. Oh, and don't get me started about the lack of streaming Bluetooth audio.

http://music.download.com/8301-5_32-9963889-13.html

Nov 27, 2008 7:18 PM in response to DCUBEHILL

Reason I am marking this question as unanswered is the Nokia 5800 touch has just come onto the market. It does have direct music download to mobile?

I raise my question again Apple iphone has great interface but lacks ability to be "mobile" and down music directly to phone.

Why Apple is the itunes store only "WiFi"?

I think the Nokia 5800 is not there yet, as it interface still lacks the refinement of the iphone, but the iphone lacks music downloading.

I think I wait for the market to be refined, at least with the Nokia coming out with this feature Apple maybe forced to change mind about music direct downloads.

Nov 27, 2008 7:27 PM in response to DCUBEHILL

The Nokia 5800 touch has been released and it can directly download music to the phone, although GUI not as refined as iphone's.

Why does itunes store remain only "WiFi" for iphone?

Does anyone know if iphone can somehow download music directly to the phone without sync'ing with itunes (ie laptop) or WiFi connection.

I much prefer the iphone as it interface is fantastic, but I may have to go for the Nokia because at least when I am at the beach I can instantly listen to music I have purchased.

Else I think I wait another 6 months for the market in touch phones to mature so either Nokia phones match the iphone interface or apple to have direct music downloads to phone.

iphone "direct" music download to phone is it possible?

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