Apple Music streams songs on-demand, features 24/7 'Beats 1' station, on iOS & Android for $10/month
Featuring on-demand content, curated playlists, and a new global always-on radio station dubbed "Beats One," Apple Music is a subscription service that aims to redefine how people discover and listen to music for $9.99 a month, or $14.99 for six family members. It launches on June 30 for Apple devices and Windows, but will also come to Android and Apple TV this fall.
Pitching it as a "revolutionary music service," Apple executive Jimmy Iovine said at WWDC 2015 on Monday that the new Apple Music will change the way users listen to content and interact with artists. A key component is human-curated playlists, which Iovine said offer much better quality than any algorithm could ever attempt.
Part of Apple Music is a 24/7 global radio station that is the brainchild of Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor. Featuring DJs broadcasting from three cities, "Beats One" will stream from within the Apple Music app, and will be available to listen for free, even without an Apple Music subscription.
There's also a social component within Apple Music, allowing fans to connect with artists. Dubbed "Connect," it allows artists to upload whatever they please to share with fans.
The new iOS Music app has a tab dubbed "For You," suggesting content to users based on the music they listen to. These are recommendations made by real people at Apple who love music.
There's also a "New" tab that shows new albums and artists, as well as top charts. Again, content is human curated by genre or activity.
Taking the stage at Monday's event was rapper Drake, who said the Connect feature hits at a perfect time for him as he works on his next album.
When using the Apple Music app, content is displayed in two panes: An "All" tab, where the artist's entire library on iTunes is available, and "My Music," where locally stored and owned content is displayed.
Users can also make and share their own curated playlists, while others can be viewed in the "For You" tab. There, Apple employees, artists, and regular users can have their playlists spotlighted.
iTunes chief Eddy Cue also showed how Siri integration can allow users to make specific requests, like to play "that song from 'Selma,'" or to play the top song from a specific date.
Apple Music will launch with iOS 8.4 and a new version of iTunes for Mac on June 30. The streaming service will also come to Android this fall, as well as a new version of iTunes for Windows.
For single users, Apple Music will cost $9.99 per month, while up to six family members can share an account for $14.99 per month. Apple will also be offering the service with a free three-month trial to start.
Pitching it as a "revolutionary music service," Apple executive Jimmy Iovine said at WWDC 2015 on Monday that the new Apple Music will change the way users listen to content and interact with artists. A key component is human-curated playlists, which Iovine said offer much better quality than any algorithm could ever attempt.
Part of Apple Music is a 24/7 global radio station that is the brainchild of Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor. Featuring DJs broadcasting from three cities, "Beats One" will stream from within the Apple Music app, and will be available to listen for free, even without an Apple Music subscription.
There's also a social component within Apple Music, allowing fans to connect with artists. Dubbed "Connect," it allows artists to upload whatever they please to share with fans.
The new iOS Music app has a tab dubbed "For You," suggesting content to users based on the music they listen to. These are recommendations made by real people at Apple who love music.
There's also a "New" tab that shows new albums and artists, as well as top charts. Again, content is human curated by genre or activity.
Taking the stage at Monday's event was rapper Drake, who said the Connect feature hits at a perfect time for him as he works on his next album.
When using the Apple Music app, content is displayed in two panes: An "All" tab, where the artist's entire library on iTunes is available, and "My Music," where locally stored and owned content is displayed.
Users can also make and share their own curated playlists, while others can be viewed in the "For You" tab. There, Apple employees, artists, and regular users can have their playlists spotlighted.
iTunes chief Eddy Cue also showed how Siri integration can allow users to make specific requests, like to play "that song from 'Selma,'" or to play the top song from a specific date.
Apple Music will launch with iOS 8.4 and a new version of iTunes for Mac on June 30. The streaming service will also come to Android this fall, as well as a new version of iTunes for Windows.
For single users, Apple Music will cost $9.99 per month, while up to six family members can share an account for $14.99 per month. Apple will also be offering the service with a free three-month trial to start.
Comments
I don't hear anything about offline listening which is a big reason I pay for Spotify.
If I'm Sony, BMI and more I'm shitting my self.
Apple Music was the most boring part.
Beats-1 is such a BS.
And Connect? Do Twitter/Facebook already provide a way for artists to reach fans (and not just Apple consumers)? This is going to end up like Ping.
Same $9.99 monthly fee as Tidal, except Tidal is giving it to you in higher resolution.
While this might appeal to lots of people, the WWDC seems like a really odd place to parade famous and industry specific people across the stage regarding something that is mostly or entirely irrelevant to them (in their work), except of course for those in the audience it may actually end up putting out of business.
The whole time I was listening to them talking about this being the "one" music ecosystem to take over all others, I knew Apple had to make an Android app, there is really no other choice if they want it to be universally used. I believe this is the first time Apple has developed a mobile app for another platform.
I still doubt they'll get 100 million people to sign up and stay paying.
("revolutionary music service" A key component is human-curated playlists, which Iovine said offer much better quality than any algorithm could ever attempt)
Um, Google Play Music does this with the Songza integration.
I'll use the free trial but doubt I'll switch over.
$14.99 for a family plan, up to 6 users, is a nice move.
Damn straight. This is what I commented on yesterday - that Spotify wants $4.99 for each additional family member. $14.99 is a bargain and I'll be signing up our family as soon as it launches.
Bye bye! Apple eat your lunch now!
$10 a month was not terribly compelling when their competition had free versions.
But $15 for up to 6 family members?
Now, that's interesting....
Same $9.99 monthly fee as Tidal, except Tidal is giving it to you in higher resolution.
Uhh...no. It's $20 for higher resolution.
will i get credit for the 3 free months or will i pay for that via my beat's music contract.
would have been nice to have some answers....
Same $9.99 monthly fee as Tidal, except Tidal is giving it to you in higher resolution.
I was unaware that people were clamouring for higher resolution audio. Is this kind of like silly companies that claim their screens are better than retina? If the eye can't discern the quality past a certain point, then who cares?
Further, most internet providers have a data cap. How does higher resolution audio effect the caps of these providers?
I get it. It looks to be a good product and I'm not say otherwise. I am saying I doubt that it'll get that many people to pay. I hope I'm wrong.
Apple could make this even more attractive by bundling more services. For instance, hard drive storage space.