pple Music is the Californian company's first step into digital streaming, and incorporates your own music, the Apple Music library and carefully curated digital radio stations including 24/7 broadcast Beats 1.
Apple revealed the service at its Worldwide Developers Conference(WWDC) earlier this month, with help from rapper Drake and up-and-coming singer The Weeknd. According to chief executive Tim Cook, it will "change the way you experience music forever.”
How will it do that?
Apple is in the unique position of gaining millions of users across the globe in a single swoop thanks to the way it's preparing to distribute the new app. On Tuesday June 30, compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod touches will be able to update to iOS 8.4, Apple's latest software, which will contain Apple Music. Mac and PC users can also access Apple Music, while Android and Apple TV owners will have to wait until the autumn.
While Spotify is by far the biggest streaming service in the UK, the fact Apple has now partnered with Taylor Swift to stream her record-breaking album 1989 is a real victory for the company following Swift'scondemnation of the company for failing to pay artists during the three-month free trial period available to all those who want to test out the service before committing to its $9.99 monthly subscription fee.
So how does it work?
Apple Music draws from two sources - your iTunes library of downloads and ripped CDs, and from the 30 million plus songs available from the Apple Music library - not the iTunes store.
Once you start using the service, you’re asked to select the musical genres which appeal the most to you, which in turn will generate a selection of artists for you to pick to give the app an idea of what to suggest for you in terms of playlists, acts and tracks. This also works for the artists you dislike, which is handy if you have a burning aversion to Ed Sheeran, for example.
One way to navigate your way around your library is by using Siri, who has been given a light-hearted Music overhaul. Giving the digital assistant commands like ‘Play me the song that was number one on December 9 1988’ or ‘Play the best 50 Cent song’ is a whimsical way to summon up new tracks quickly.
One point Apple is really keen to push is how its genre-based radio stations are curated by music-loving humans and not algorithms, and the knowledge each rock, funk or indie playlist has been lovingly cobbled together by someone who really knows their stuff gives it more of a personal touch than scrolling through automated lists.
The Beats 1 live radio station features DJs Zane Lowe in LA, Ebro Darden in New York and Julie Adenuga in London, broadcasting 24 hours a day. The station won’t mimic a traditional radio broadcast insofar as it won’t include regular news intervals, but will boast interviews with high profile music figures and guest host slots. Zane Lowe's first interview will be with Eminem.
How much will it cost?
To entice people into trying it out, Apple is offering a three-month free trial, after which they will be charged $9.99 a month. UK pricing is still set to be announced.
You can still use Apple Music for free while signed into the service on your Apple ID, but functionality is pretty limited. You can view and follow artists under the Connect tab and listen to the Beats 1 radio station, but that's it. With a subscription you can skip through other Apple Music radio stations, save content to your library for offline listening and take advantage of expert music recommendations. Similarly, using Spotify without a subscription limits you to shuffling through songs and seemingly endless adverts.
How can I download Apple Music?
In order to use Apple Music, your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch must be updated to iOS 8.4, the latest iOS software update expected to roll out on June 30. It will also be available on Mac and PC from June 30, while Apple TV and Android users will have to wait until the autumn. It can also be used on Apple Watch.
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