Apple has updated the iTunes Store to allow users to purchase content ahead of downloading it. When purchasing some forms of audio and video content via the iTunes Store, you’ll notice a dialog box that asks if you would like to download your purchased content now or later. The option pops up when purchasing music box sets, movie bundles, TV episodes and TV Season Passes. Standard songs and albums will not be affected by this change.
This new feature will be useful for times when you’re on a spotty public wi-fi network and your favorite TV series or music box set goes on sale. Instead of waiting multiple hours for your download to finish, you can wait to start the download at home while still paying the discounted price.
If you decide to download your iTunes content later, it will be available for download or streaming via iTunes in the cloud. The download later functionality has been added to all iOS 6 devices as well as Macs and PCs running the latest release of iTunes 11.
