Apple Introduces Apple Music Student Membership Option With 50% Discount at $4.99 per Month

[johngordon]

It is expensive to me, but that is a very subjective thing. I think my Wife's purses and shoes are expensive, she thinks my electronics are.

Sure - it ultimately will be a subjective thing.

But reading the various discussions on AM over the last year, there do seem to be a lot of people of the opinion that it is over priced and a bit of a rip off.

That view is what I disagree with I guess - if someone typically only buys one album a year, that isn't a compelling reason for AM to be priced at $10 a year.

 

[Shirasaki]

It's about variety. And while a lot of older people may have amassed their own collection, younger people listen to a lot of new music all the time and it can be expensive to buy and own it all. AM is not for everyone but it is for a younger generation.

So, even though I am still 25, I am actually old because I hate renting music and I don't listen to a lot of new music.

 

[tkukoc]

Nice for those who are students and like these types of services. For me I'll never pay for a streaming music service, there's just no reason to do so. I buy the music I like and keep it, streaming I pay monthly and it goes away if I don't. Rather buy and keep it.. back it up and not worry about losing anything. Streaming music services just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[Shirasaki]

I'm amazed at people thinking Apple Music is expensive, personally I think it's a great deal. £9.99 (here in the UK) is around the price of 1 album, and through Apple Music we not only have access to millions of them but also music videos as well. The physical CD in my opinion is dying, go into any HMV store (here in the UK) and you won't see many people browsing and buying CD's.

In Australia, there are not that many people buying CD's. However, in Japan, most publishers are still releasing new songs using CDs.
[doublepost=1462543696][/doublepost]

Nice for those who are students and like these types of services. For me I'll never pay for a streaming music service, there's just no reason to do so. I buy the music I like and keep it, streaming I pay monthly and it goes away if I don't. Rather buy and keep it.. back it up and not worry about losing anything. Streaming music services just doesn't make any sense to me.

Doesnt make any sense to me either.

 

[Eduardo1971]

...
For many of us, it would be cheaper to own the music we want than to spend money to rent it...

Speak for yourself. For some people, like myself, AM is great buy. Back in the CD era I would easily spend between $30-$100 per month and once I began purchasing music online I would still spend about the same amount in music.

Some of us are passionate about music and really love the many genres of music.

So for people like me, AM is a great buy...I'm still torn about 'renting' music, but such is life. Now I'm able to listen to even more music since I'm not held back by a music budget.

 

[deany]

I'm amazed at people thinking Apple Music is expensive, personally I think it's a great deal. £9.99 (here in the UK) is around the price of 1 album, and through Apple Music we not only have access to millions of them but also music videos as well. The physical CD in my opinion is dying, go into any HMV store (here in the UK) and you won't see many people browsing and buying CD's.

Dont pay 9.99 get the 15% off itunes vouchers plus clubcard points at Tescos available every 3 or so months.
Hope this helps

 

[LordQ]

Oh, look, another US-only feature.

 

[deany]

In Australia, there are not that many people buying CD's. However, in Japan, most publishers are still releasing new songs using CDs.
[doublepost=1462543696][/doublepost]
Doesnt make any sense to me either.

What I do is have my 'Tower records' 'HMV' shop Google Play Music for a silly price and then buy some second hand cds often for 00.01p plus postage from amazon or other online places.
Vinyl obviously a different ball game.
Would never pay full price for a CD and would really miss 'owning' my record store/chain, no staff wages or rent etc!

 

[fanboi4lyfe]

Oh, look, another US-only feature.

Not a US only feature....

"U.S. students won't be the only ones to benefit though, as the plan is also open to students in the U.K., Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand."

 

[braintumor]

I thought people had wanted this since day one? How is that desperate?

So why did Apple not offer it since day one?

People also wanted a $300 iphone since day one!

 

[LordQ]

Not a US only feature....

"U.S. students won't be the only ones to benefit though, as the plan is also open to students in the U.K., Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand."

Oh, thanks for pointing that out. Cheers!

 

[brinary001]

Does this also work for family plans?

Most likely not. Apple's not going to be THAT generous

 

[Huracan]

All signs of desperation.

 

[deany]

All signs of desperation.

As someone else pointed out its very smart of apple.

It gets students into the apple ecosystem, they are their future customers.

Plus its matching Spotifys offer thats at least 4 years old.

 

[satcomer]

I wish apple would show the military some of that same appreciation. It's too easy to verify if someone is a veteran by going through id.me to verify military affiliation.

That would be cool for those that have a .mil address!

 

[Norcal.]

This is what had me choosing Spotify. You have my business now, Apple.

 

[deany]

That would be cool for those that have a .mil address!

I agree.
I guess it is where does it end though.
I was lucky enough to attend the 1990 Knebworth festival which was in aid of the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordoff-Robbins_music_therapy music really can be therapeutical.
"Nordoff-Robbins music therapy is grounded in the belief that everyone can respond to music, no matter how ill or disabled."

 

[lazypoet]

I would understand leaving out some smaller countries, but I mean... Denmark gets it, but France has 66 million people and doesn't get it.

 

[seven2k7]

umm ok thought apple music was doing well...an overhaul and new menu.

 

[SwiftBunny]

As a student Canadian subscriber, I just unsubscribed.

 

[Sheza]

So, even though I am still 25, I am actually old because I hate renting music and I don't listen to a lot of new music.

I am happy for you that you can afford a seemingly large music collection outright.
[doublepost=1462547845][/doublepost]

Oh, look, another US-only feature.

Did you read the article?

 

[AppleInLVX]

I sometimes wonder why I still live in Canada.

All you need to do is look into politics. You'll remember soon enough.

 

[Karma*Police]

Looks like Apple's pulling out all the stops for Apple Music this year. Really looking forward to it... and the rumored wireless buds for a Her-like experience.

 

[johngordon]

To me, this seems like a smart move for Apple. I thought the AM sub price of $10 a month forever was high for the average user when there are so many difference cheaper and free options.

For many of us, it would be cheaper to own the music we want than to spend money to rent it.

Also, with all the launch problems with Apple Music, sometimes affecting people that did not even sign up for it, having a cheaper option for students might attract some people that were scared away to even try it.

But the value of music shouldn't be based in the average amount that all users spend on music.

If owning the music is cheaper for people - great. Buy it on CD or iTunes.

The fact reasons though, the tipping point at which AM starts to represent good value for people is actually very low - the equivalent of about 12 albums a year.

 

[kiranmk2]

On paper it sounds good - £9.99 (about one album) per month for all the musuc you can listen to. For people who tend to buy 2-3 albums per month it's probably a good deal. However, what a lot of people find is as they age and go into their late 20s/30s they have less and less time to listen to music (and more monthly costs to consider). At this point, they either buy less or listen less at which point the cost becomes a bit more relevent. But by now (after 5-10 years of subscribing) if they stop, they loose access.

My current thoughts are to use the Spotify free tier to listen to new music when I can and anything I really like I will look to pick up 2nd hand from Amazon for a few £s. This way I still get the large catalogue of music to stream for the cost of listenting to a few ads, can pickup new music cheaper after a few weeks/months which I can rip and keep forever without any subscription costs.