Now the big question for retailers in particular is: While more people may be increasingly accessing web content on tablets, does that mean that content needs to be specially adjusted for the device since in most cases you can do nothing and it renders well enough?

FORBES: The Future Of Mobile Commerce May Be Tablets

The patent application also explains that the streaming playback could be adjusted based on the type of communications network, and that there would naturally be various means to authenticate your device and ensure that you actually own the music you're streaming.

ENGADGET: Apple patent application suggests partial storage of music to speed up streaming