Ondrej Holzman The world premiere is set for this afternoon of our time music streaming service Apple Music. This is Apple's answer to already established services such as Spotify, Rdio, Google Play Music or in the United States the popular Internet radio Pandora. After a long wait, even the most anticipated player enters the world of streaming.
Whether you use one of the streaming services or are a total newbie, we've got you covered with what's in store for you in Apple Music and answers to the most frequently asked questions.
What is Apple Music?
Apple Music is a music streaming service that fits into Apple's music world as another piece. “All the ways you love music. Everything in one place," writes Apple itself about the new service. So it will be about connecting iTunes, your music library and streaming listening to any artists without having them downloaded on your devices.
In addition, Apple Music will also offer a 1/XNUMX Beats XNUMX radio station, custom playlists from top artists and music connoisseurs, and a social feature called Connect to connect fans and artists.
How much does Apple Music cost?
For the first three months, everyone will be able to use Apple Music completely free. After that, you will have to pay $10 a month. That's the price, at least for the United States, where Apple Music will cost the same as competitors Spotify or Rdio. It is not yet clear what the price of Apple Music will be in the Czech Republic. Less optimistic reports said that it would be 10 euros, but it is not excluded that Apple will match the price with its competitors in other countries as well. Then Apple Music could cost 6 euros here.
In addition to the individual subscription, Apple also offers a family plan. For $15, up to 6 people can use the streaming service via family sharing on iCloud, and the price remains the same regardless of whether you use all six slots or not. The Czech price is again not certain, there is talk of either 15 euros or a more favorable 8 euros. How much we will have to pay for Apple Music in the Czech Republic, we will find out definitively when the new service is launched.
If you decline to pay for Apple Music after the three-month trial period, you'll still have access to some features with your Apple ID. Specifically, it will be to the artist's channel on Connect, where you will also be able to follow individual artists, and you will be able to listen to the Beats 1 radio station.
When and how can I sign up for Apple Music?
The launch of Apple Music is associated with the release of iOS 8.4, in which we find a redesigned Music application, prepared just for the new streaming service. iOS 8.4 is due out at 17pm today, once you update your iPhone or iPad you'll also have access to Apple Music. You will need to download a new iTunes update on your Mac or PC, which should appear at the same time. Developers testing iOS 9 will also have access to Apple Music, and a new version will be prepared for them as well.
Will it be possible to stream everything in iTunes on Apple Music?
Apple claims that over 30 million songs will be available in Apple Music, while the full iTunes catalog has 43 million songs. Apple has had to negotiate new deals with record labels and publishers independent of iTunes music sales, and it's unclear who will join Apple Music. However, it's likely that not all of the titles you'll find in iTunes now will also be available for streaming. However, we can count on the fact that Apple managed to get at least the most famous interpreters for its new service, and in the end it will offer at least the same or a more comprehensive catalog than Spotify.
Will there be any exclusive titles on Apple Music?
Selected exclusive titles to be part of Apple Music. For example, Pharrell Williams is set to release his single "Freedom" via the new Apple service, Dr. Dre will make his breakthrough album 'The Chronic' available for streaming for the first time, and Apple has a big trump card in the form of Taylor Swift's latest and hugely successful album '1989'. It will also appear on a streaming service for the first time ever, and it will be Apple's.
Given Apple's reputation in the music world and the fact that it has Jimmy Iovine on board with huge and influential connections in the music industry, we can expect more (at least initially) exclusive titles to come in the future.
On which devices will you listen to Apple Music?
Apple Music will be available to listen to via iTunes on Mac and PC and through the Music app on iOS devices including the Apple Watch. Apps for Apple TV and Android will also appear before the end of the year. Apple Music will require the latest version of iTunes, released today, as well as iOS 8.4 on iPhones and iPads. By the end of the year, Apple Music should also be supported by Sonos wireless speakers.
Will it be possible to listen to music offline?
Apple Music will work not only for online streaming but also for offline music listening. Selected albums and tracks can be downloaded to individual devices for listening when you are not within reach of the Internet.
What is Beats 1?
Beats 1 is Apple's internet radio, which will start broadcasting today at 18 p.m. The worldwide broadcast will take place 24 hours a day and will be hosted by three DJs - Zane Lowe, Ebro Darden and Julie Adenuga. In addition to them, music celebrities such as Elton John, Drake, Dr. Dre and others. On the new station, we can expect to hear the latest and also the most interesting that the music world has to offer, including exclusive interviews with various celebrities.
What happened to iTunes Radio?
Previously only available in the United States and Australia, iTunes Radio will appear within Apple Music as Apple Music Radio and will finally be available worldwide. Within Apple Music Radio, you'll be able to turn on stations with playlists built based on your tastes or moods.
What happens to my current iTunes library?
Apple Music and iTunes library will work independently of each other. So once you've signed up for Apple Music, you'll have the full range of Apple Music available for streaming, and you'll also be able to continue listening to music you've purchased or uploaded to iTunes.
Do I still need to pay for iTunes Match?
iTunes Match will also work after the arrival of Apple Music. But Apple hasn't yet made it clear how it will work, only that the two services are "independent but complementary." According to the description of Apple Music, if you are a subscriber, all the songs that you have in your library, but are not available on Apple Music, will be uploaded to the cloud, so they will also be available for streaming.
If you wouldn't pay for Apple Music and still want to keep your current library in the cloud, you'll still be able to use iTunes Match. This is priced better than Apple Music ($25 per year versus $10 per month). In iOS 9, the capacity of iTunes Match will also be increased from 25 songs to 100.
What is Connect?
Apple Music Connect is the social part of the new music service, where individual artists will be able to easily communicate with their fans. Similar to Twitter or Facebook, each user chooses which singer or band they want to follow, and subsequently finds content in their stream, such as various behind-the-scenes footage, but also exclusive new singles, etc. On Connect, it will also be possible to comment on posts.
Have more questions about Apple Music? Ask in the comments.
I was quite annoyed by the fact that Apple Music radio will not be available in the free version in the Czech Republic, while it is free in the US, albeit with limited track skipping.
Where did you get that it will not be available in the Czech Republic?
I think the free version won't have “listen to Apple Music radio stations.” It's in the features overview.
Comparison – https://twitter.com/josif_cs/status/615603090234937344
Do we know anything about streaming quality? Bitrate, compression format,…
It will be 256 kbps not sure if AAC or MP3.
More info: http://jablickar.cz/apple-music-bude-streamovat-rychlosti-256-kbps-napriklad-beatles-ale-vubec/
I'm more interested in another thing - what is the reason for switching to Apple Music from Spotify? Ad free version, if I see correctly, there won't be any free version (e.g. with embedded ads, like on Spotify) anywhere?
There shouldn't be an ad-supported version of Apple Music. And I would describe the reason as something like you take the radio out of the car that someone replaced with the original one and put the original (original) radio in there. It will match the dashboard beautifully and it will play music too. :)
Please don't take my word for it again...
Own experience. I paid for Spotify Premium for about 1 year. I was looking for music that I don't know and that I will like, but search in 40 million songs. But the service can make recommendations based on previous listening, ratings, etc. I liked the music I liked and it still wasn't the same. Spotify offered me music that matched my taste by 50%. I know it's still early, after all, Apple Music has only been playing for 2 hours, but so far I'm getting 98% of it. If I skipped 2 tracks…. great for me so far.
Are you telling me that if I want to try the three months for free, I have to sign up for a subscription right away? There is no other way?
Yes, if you try 3 months for free, you will be charged 5,99 for the first month's subscription. Nothing prevents you from going to your account and canceling this subscription now. So you will have 4 months for 5,99 as a result. Terrible what.
Well, if I had a credit card, I'll survive :D But I'm in the bag like this. Until now I survived without her :-)
iTunesGift? Surely you have a friend with credit who can send you an iTunesGift if you give the equivalent of 10 credits.
I want to ask if the 3-month free version starts from the day I register, or just three months from the release?
From registration
It seems to me like a pure MS Windows offer (premium, home...). Everything partially overlaps, complements, duplicates... I somehow lost the simplicity and elegance of it. I really don't know what I want from it :-)
Why are some warehouses grayed out and unplayable?
So if I simply refuse to pay after 3 months, will it return to my normal library where I have my songs downloaded from itunes and I won't have to pay anything anymore?
and it costs me 5,99 E every month?