Apple Music Overview Updated October 19, 2017
Apple Music is Apple’s music streaming service that was first introduced at WWDC 2015. The service launched that same summer and positions Apple as a direct competitor to services like Spotify and Google Play Music. Apple Music allows users to access millions of tracks instantly, for a set monthly rate. Music can be downloaded for offline listening, as well as streamed from the cloud.
Apple Music is accessible via the built-in iOS Music app, which gets a major redesign with iOS 10, as well as with iTunes on the Mac and PC. While some have called for Apple to break Apple Music into a separate app, especially on the Mac, the company has shown no signs of being willing to do that. Apple Music is also available on Android, making it the first Apple service to come to Google’s mobile operating system.
Alongside Apple Music, Apple introduced an always-on streaming radio service called Beats 1. Spearheaded by Zane Lowe, Beats 1 features a wide array of shows, many of which are hosted by celebrities such as DJ Khaled, Elton John, and Pharrell. Beats 1 doesn’t require an Apple Music subscription, however, and is accessible to everyone via iTunes and the Music app.
Apple Music is $9.99 per month for one user, while a family plan is also available for $14.99. Students also get a steep discount, with a student tier offering the service for just $4.99. Best of all, there’s a 3-month free trial.
With a massive song library, integration into the familiar Music app, and deep discounts on family plans, Apple Music has positioned itself as a true competitor to Spotify.
Read our full review here.
Apple Music Stories Today
AAPL: 155.98
Major Lazer documentary ‘Give Me Future’ coming exclusively to Apple Music next month
As it continues to expand original content efforts, Apple Music has secured the rights to an upcoming documentary about electronic music trio Major Lazer. The film depicts the process of organizing the first Cuban-American concert in Havana and is entitled Give Me Future.
Following up on its last major release, SoundShare is back with another significant update. SoundShare 3.0 brings an all-new look to the app while introducing a creative new collaborative feature called Party Mode.
SoundShare’s claim to fame is its ability to bridge the gap between multiple music services. In doing so, users can easily share music with friends on other streaming platforms without having to jump through hoops. If a friend of yours has Spotify, and you rely on Apple Music, SoundShare will help find that song on your platform and play it for you. No more manually hunting through any of the platform’s catalogs.
Apple Music Stories October 10
AAPL: 155.90
Apple is really on a roll with its music documentaries, announcing the fourth one this month. As with Pink’s Beautiful Trauma, this latest one is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a new album.
On the Record: Flicker takes a look at the making of Niall Horan’s first solo album following five One Direction albums …
Apple Music Stories October 6
AAPL: 155.30
Music has been part of Apple’s soul since the launch of the iPod almost 16 years ago. Launched with the slogan ‘a thousand songs in your pocket,’ it’s no exaggeration to say that the device transformed the way we listen to music. It also transformed Apple into a major mobile device manufacturer, and laid the ground work for the iPhone.
Fast-forward to today, and Apple still places a huge emphasis on music. Its largest ever acquisition was the $3B it paid to buy Beats in 2014. The Beats Music service became Apple Music, a streaming service which has grown to 30M paid subscribers.
Apple’s move into exclusive video content also has a strong emphasis on music documentaries.
But there’s still one odd omission from the company’s music offerings …
Apple Music Stories October 5
AAPL: 155.39
Apple Music integration within Facebook Messenger rolling out now
Facebook announced last spring at its F8 developer conference that it would be bringing Apple Music integration to its Messenger app. Now, the feature is beginning to roll out to users.
‘Bang! The Bert Berns Story’ to be third exclusive Apple Music documentary this month
Just earlier today, we reported that Apple will be bringing a behind-the-scenes documentary along with Pink’s new album to Apple Music. Now, Apple has shared a trailer for another music documentary to hit its music service exclusively later this month, Bang! The Bert Berns Story.
