Apple Music is a streaming service developed by Apple Inc. It offers a wide range of music, audio and video content to users around the world. Users can stream music on demand and listen to curated playlists. The service also features three internet radio stations, namely Apple Music 1, Apple Music Hits, and Apple Music Country. These stations broadcast live to more than 200 countries continuously. Apple Music was launched on June 30, 2015, following an announcement on June 8, 2015. New subscribers can enjoy a free trial period before opting for a monthly subscription.
Since its inception, Apple Music has expanded beyond music and video content. The company aims to create a comprehensive cultural platform, acting as a one-stop-shop for pop culture. Apple has invested heavily in producing and acquiring video content, including music videos, concert footage, web series, and feature films.
The original iOS version of Apple Music received mixed reviews, with criticism focused on its user interface. However, it was praised for its playlist selection, extensive music library, and seamless integration with other Apple devices and services. The app underwent a significant redesign in iOS 10, earning positive feedback for its updated interface, improved navigation, and emphasis on user libraries.
Apple Music experienced rapid growth, reaching 10 million subscribers within six months of its launch. Although Apple does not disclose the number of paid subscribers, research firm Midia Research estimated it to be around 78 million as of November 2021. As of October 2022, Apple Music boasts a streaming catalog of more than 100 million songs.
Notably, Apple Music does not have songs with more than 1 billion plays. As of May 5, 2023, the most streamed song on the platform is Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” surpassing 930 million streams worldwide.
History of Apple Music :
Apple Music, launched in 2015, is a music streaming service that offers a vast library of songs, albums, and playlists to its subscribers. The service was a significant development for Apple, known for its previous contributions to the digital music industry through the iPod and iTunes.
Before Apple Music, Apple CEO Steve Jobs was not in favor of subscription music services. However, with the acquisition of Beats Electronics in 2014, Apple gained ownership of Beats Music and merged it with iTunes Radio. The company also hired DJ Zane Lowe as a music curator.
The official Apple Music announcement came in June 2015, with Sony Music CEO Doug Morris confirming the launch later that month. Morris expressed his belief that Apple’s entry into the music streaming market would have a significant impact on the growth of the industry due to Apple’s financial resources and user base.
Apple faced criticism from artists including Taylor Swift and independent record labels for its initial policy of not refunding artists during the free trial period offered to users. However, after Swift publicly expressed her concerns, Apple changed its policy and agreed to pay artists during the trial period.
There were also allegations that Apple tried to encourage record labels to remove their content from competing services like Spotify and YouTube. This led to an investigation by the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission into a possible record label cartel.
Apple Music launched in 100 countries on June 30, 2015, with a three-month free trial for new users. It introduced a family plan that allowed up to six users to share a subscription. Over time, Apple expanded the service to more countries and introduced a student membership.
Apple Music’s user base grew rapidly, reaching milestones of 10 million, 20 million, and 60 million subscribers in just a few years. In the United States, Apple Music surpassed Spotify in the number of paid users.
Apple also expanded its presence in the video industry, releasing exclusive music videos, documentaries, and original content on Apple Music. He acquired the rights to Carpool Karaoke from The Late Late Show with James Corden and produced other original series.
The service has undergone several price changes, including the introduction of a discounted Apple Music Voice plan and an increase in the price of the student plan.
Apple Music became available on other platforms, including Android, Amazon Echo speakers, and web browsers. The service also introduced personalized music playlists and discontinued its Connect feature in favor of enhanced artist profiles and social sharing features.
In 2021, Apple introduced lossless audio and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos at no additional cost to subscribers. It also acquired Primephonic, a classical music streaming service, to release Apple Music Classical as a separate app.
Apple continues to innovate and expand its offerings, with developments like Apple Music Live, Apple Music TV, and the introduction of karaoke features. The company also signed an agreement with the NFL to sponsor the Super Bowl halftime show.
Overall, Apple Music has become a major player in the music streaming industry, offering a vast library of music, exclusive content, and a variety of features to enhance the listening experience.
Apple Music :
Apple Music is a popular streaming service that offers over 100 million songs for on-demand streaming on various devices. It provides playlists curated by music experts and personalized recommendations based on users’ music preferences. The service includes three live 24/7 radio stations: Apple Music 1, Apple Music Hits, and Apple Music Country, which are available in more than 100 countries. The radio service is free for all users, even without a subscription. Subscribers can create profiles, share music with friends, and follow other users to see what they’re listening to. Apple Music seamlessly integrates with iCloud, allowing users to combine their iTunes music library with their Apple Music library. It is deeply integrated with Apple’s own services like Siri and AirPlay.
The Apple Music user interface consists of five main tabs: Library, Listen Now, Browse, Radio, and Search. The Library tab displays the user’s music collection, playlists, artists, albums, and downloaded music. The Listen Now tab provides personalized music recommendations based on the user’s taste, with a combination of algorithmic curation and selections from human experts. The Browse tab displays new album releases, curated playlists, and various music categories. The Radio tab offers Apple Music Radio and other genre-specific stations. The Search tab allows users to search for artists, albums, songs, or other Apple Music users.
When you play a song, the Now Playing section appears, providing options to add the song to your library, download it, and like or dislike it. Users can control playback, view live lyrics in sync with the song, and customize shuffle and repeat options. Each artist has a dedicated page with a profile banner, a play button to create a radio station, and sections for featured releases, albums, singles, top tracks, and background information. Users can create profiles, follow others, and discover music through their followers.
Apple Music also offers features like Apple Music Replay, which shows users the most played songs, artists, and albums of the year. The service offers different audio quality options, including high-efficiency, high-quality, lossless, and high-resolution lossless formats. Apple Music is compatible with various devices, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Windows PC, Apple Watch, Apple TV, CarPlay, HomePod, Android devices, ChromeOS, Amazon Echo, Sonos speakers, PlayStation 5, and Xbox consoles. It is also accessible through a web player in beta version.
Apple Music Plan Details :
- Individual Plan: This plan allows a single user to access Apple Music on all their devices. It includes features like ad-free streaming, offline playback, curated playlists, and access to the entire Apple Music catalog. The individual plan was priced at $9.99 per month in the United States.
- Family Plan: The Family Plan allows up to six family members to share an Apple Music subscription. Each member has their own account, and they can access Apple Music on their devices individually. The Family Plan also offers all the features available in the Individual Plan. The Family Plan was priced at $14.99 per month in the United States.
- Student Plan: The Student Plan is available to verified students enrolled in eligible colleges or universities. It provides access to Apple Music at a discounted rate. The exact pricing may vary depending on the region and the terms of the student discount program.
Apple Music Awards :
The Apple Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony presented by Apple Inc. to honor and celebrate the best artists and musicians in the industry. The awards were first introduced in 2019 and are based on the streaming data and music charts from Apple Music, one of the leading music streaming platforms.
Unlike traditional music awards that rely on voting by industry professionals or the general public, the Apple Music Awards winners are determined by the editorial team at Apple Music. They select the winners based on various factors such as the artist’s global chart performance, total plays, and overall impact on the music industry throughout the year.
The Apple Music Awards ceremony typically takes place in December and includes live performances by some of the winning artists. In the past, the event has featured performances by Billie Eilish, Lizzo, and Taylor Swift, among others.
The awards are presented in several categories, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. The winners receive a unique Apple-designed trophy that incorporates the Apple logo and elements representing the award category.
