iTunes 10.5 will not only allow iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users to upgrade to the latest version of iOS, it also provides access to iCloud services like iTunes in the Cloud.
iTunes 10.5 has been in beta since June, so users can be forgiven for not understanding what the big deal is. For anyone who hasn't upgraded to various 10.5 betas, however, the biggest news -- aside from iOS 5-readiness -- is that you can now download previous purchases of TV shows or music from the iTunes directly onto their Mac, PC or iOS device.
By default, you can also choose to have purchased content automatically delivered to all of your devices. That means that when you buy an album on your phone, it will download on your computer and your iPad.
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When iOS 5 is released Wednesday, you'll also get the option of wirelessly syncing your iOS devices to iTunes over Wi-Fi. You will also be able to opt for iCloud-based backups.
One iTunes in the Cloud feature isn't quite ready for consumption: iTunes Match. It's Apple's new service that allows you to upload purchased (or "acquired") music elsewhere to iCloud for access on other devices. Content that Apple finds in its existing library is simply linked automagically and songs not in Apple's repository are uploaded from your hard drive.
The service is $24.99 a year for 25,000 songs (not including your iTunes purchases) and is currently in beta. iTunes 10.5 will support iTunes Match as soon as the feature is ready for full release.