Apple Music was yesterday rolled out to 100 countries, including South Africa. The new app is a streaming music service and worldwide live radio station from Apple broadcasting 24 hours a day, as well as a platform to allow music fans to connect with artists. Apple Music combines the largest and most diverse collection of music into programmed playlists for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, Apple TV and Android devices.
Apple Music makes the Apple Music catalogue available on a variety of devices. A user’s existing music, whether from the iTunes Store or ripped CDs, will be stored in one place alongside the Apple Music catalogue with over 30-million songs.
Music experts from around the world have been hired to create playlists based on user preferences, while the “For You” section of Apple Music provides a fresh mix of albums, new releases and playlists, which have been personalised for the user.
Siri can also be harnessed to play particular songs or answer music-related questions.
Beats 1, Apple’s first ever live radio station dedicated entirely to music and music culture, will broadcast live to over 100 countries. It is a 24-hour listening experience led by influential DJs Zane Lowe in Los Angeles, Ebro Darden in New York and Julie Adenuga in London.
Artists and fans can connect with one another directly in Apple Music with Connect. Through Connect, artists can share lyrics, backstage photos, videos or even release their latest song directly to fans directly from their iPhone.
Fans can comment on or like anything an artist has posted, and share it via Messages, Facebook, Twitter and e-mail.
Starting yesterday, music fans around the world are invited to a three-month free membership, after which a $9.99 per month subscription fee will apply. There will also be a family plan providing service for up to six family members available for $14.99 per month.