For advanced users only: Please verify and update the information on Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICloud#iTunes_Match
I've made several edits in the past 24 hours. It would be nice if it would become a complete and correct source of information.
MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.2)
This
Macs and PCs will stream songs when you are connected to the internet, even if you have a local copy. When you are disconnected, iTunes will only play local files.
... is incorrect.
On computers running iTunes the local file will always be played regardless of whether there is an internet connection or not. Just because iTunes Match is enabled does not mean iTunes changes the location of the iTunes Media folder. That remains the same. To stream on a computer running iTunes either the local track must be deleted from the iTunes library, or a new, empty library must be created in iTunes and have iTM enabled on it.
I based this on info from Apple, but I was unsure if my interpretation was correct. Updated Wikipedia. Thanks.
That's still not right.
Look, as I wrote in my original reply, the location of the default iTunes Library is not changed to the cloud when iTunes Match is enabled. So the only way music played in iTunes will stream is if there is no local copy. Does that make sense?
Try this: Quit iTunes. While holding down the Option key launch iTunes and click "new library." Enable iTunes Match on this library. Let it do it's thing. Now, you can play this music and it will be streaming. To switch back to the main library quit iTunes and re-launch it while holding down the Option key. Play the same song from the library. This is not streaming; it is playing the local copy. See?
iCloud Match on Wikipedia
