Apple Music Classical Begins Launching for iPhone Users Around the World

[MauiPa]

Why put any effort into this, just add a tab to the Apple Music app.....concentrate on making Siri better.....there is a larger subset of people that would like to see that happen as opposed to this....

Obviously not a fan of Classical Music. While I actually agree with you, because I am only a listener, there is a lot of complexity to classical music that is well documented. Orchestra, conductor, artist.......etc.

The fact that you are not interested does not lesson the appeal to others. And Siri is great for me, does not lack anything I would use. I know, I know, there were a couple of "comparisons" where the raters created a test to prove their predetermined conclusions. so what?

 

[MauiPa]

So Apple bought a classical streaming service 2 years ago and are finally releasing the service as a full Apple app. Great! But in those two years they didn’t bother making it iPad compatible? Or apparently modernizing the UI elements (those icons are pretty ‘90s). smh

I’m happy about the service, as I am the intended demographic. However I play my music from a dedicated iPad in my listening room. It lives connected to a DAC, Amps and normal audiophile equipment. I think this is somewhat common for classical listeners. So we are not supposed to read the nice liner notes on iPad?

Oh well. In the end it’s about the music. As long as it streams in high bitrate lossless, and there is a good selection of music, I’ll be happy-ish.

Not even released yet, just saying. The earliest release is likely to be less polished than an iterative release down the road a bit. But that would give us less to complain about. yay, complaining!

 

[carswell]

hahaha, you sure that is Apple and not Sonos? Last I checked, there were software tools out there for companies to use to upgrade their products, and if they chose not to, hmmmm, that is on them? Just a point, anyone can get their products to use airplay 2, and Sonos could opt to support Apple Music. Just saying, ouch the truth hurts sometimes

Not an expert on this but SONOS forum participants say the company makes its API available to everyone and that it's up to the streaming service to use it. Apple hasn't for lossless or hi res but has for low res and for spatial audio on compatible SONOS speakers like the new Era 300. SONOS speakers handle hi res from Qobuz and Amazon, so it's not a technical limitation. Does Apple offer lossless/hi res on any non-Apple wireless speaker? Or is it just trying to drive HomePod sales?

 

[ryanasimov]

Is there a reason Apple Classical is streaming only? The only thing I can think of is to drive traffic to the iTunes Store if someone wants to listen offline.

 

[cateye]

Is there a reason Apple Classical is streaming only? The only thing I can think of is to drive traffic to the iTunes Store if someone wants to listen offline.

Because (from the RIAA):

Revenues from permanent downloads of tracks and albums both declined in 1H 2022. Digital track revenues fell 19% to $113 million, and digital albums declined 20% to $122 million. Along with ringtones and other digital download formats, 1H 2022 total of $256 million comprised only 3% of total recorded music revenues.

If you want to listen offline, every streaming service I'm aware of, including Apple Music, allows you to download tracks that you can keep as long as you remain a subscriber. If you don't want to be a subscriber, you buy physical media (while you can, that's also shrinking rapidly, other than vinyl sales) and rip it yourself. I'm surprised the iTunes "Store" still exists, it serves no meaningful audience and we all know how brutal Apple can be about only wanting to serve top-of-the-bell-curve audiences.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

Just hope a Mac app is forthcoming. I really only listen to music on my phone when I'm doing chores, and it's usually not classical. If I really want to sit and listen to classical music, then I listen with my nice headphones and my external DAC/amp from my Mac.

 

[ian87w]

Just got it on mine as well. Interface is exactly the same as regular Apple Music, so why not just have one app? I mean classical is music as well. The only addition I noticed is the info tab instead of lyrics, but how hard can it be putting that in the regular music app?

 

[syklee26]

So Classic is available only to a device that has no ability to push out lossless quality sound? This is stupid, Apple. Make it available to iPad so we can play hi-fi headphone via USB C.

 

[Armada2]

Just looking at the screenshots here im seeing poor accessibility designs

 

[jclardy]

Gotta be the strangest Apple release yet. Makes no sense to be iPhone only, since this seems to have just ripped the Apple Music UI...which supports both iPad and Mac. The prior Primephonic app also supported all platforms.

I remember when Apple cared about making the best first party software...those were the days. Final Cut 7, Aperture, Garage Band, Logic - these were apps that made lifetime mac users back in the day. Now...well we get this.

 

[Kimmo]

"Apple Music Classical is available for the iPhone only at launch"

+

"The big news is that no model of AirPods earbuds/headphones will support lossless audio. This means that even if you're buying the latest AirPods Pro 2 or the premium AirPods Max, there's no way you can listen to your library of lossless Apple Music songs in any lossless or hi-res format."

=

1. Apple should add newer Bluetooth Codecs that support wireless, lossless audio (like LDAC), and

2. Let's get Apple Music Classical on macOS, so higher quality desktop systems can use it.

Apple Music lossless: which devices will (and won't) play lossless and Spatial Audio

There's still no lossless playback on any AirPods yet

www.whathifi.com

 

[StellarVixen]

The ipad uses the iPhone version of the app. Playing around with it now. It seems pretty barebones, is all I can say at the moment.

Here are some screenshots of the app.

My God, what is this abomination?

I remember when Apple mocked the Android tablets for running stretched out Android phone apps while the iPad was running the apps optimized for tablet.

Not long ago, here they are doing exactly same stuff.

What the heck is going on with Apple? I really hope this won’t make it into final release, but there is not much time left.

 

[StellarVixen]

I'm surprised the iTunes "Store" still exists, it serves no meaningful audience and we all know how brutal Apple can be about only wanting to serve top-of-the-bell-curve audiences.

Because many people (including me) have bunch of bought music. If they close the iTunes store, we lose access to it forever.

I am glad vinyl is getting popular, physical is king. I don’t have to depend on anyone except myself. I don’t have to be anxious that someone in the future will terminate service and my music will be gone forever.

Although, I am sad that we gave up CDs and then brought records back to life, because digital is superior to analog in every way when it comes to sound quality, plus ripping CDs is so much easier than recording vinyls.

 

[BobSc]

Apple needs to update the Apple Music Classical App. This current one is too modern. Something like this?

It's not even out yet and the complaining has already started. It's current icon is fine. This one is hideous.

 

[kasei]

I am excited about this. The separate app idea is a little confusing, but I am guessing Apple wanted to make this a unique experience, so ok.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

It's not even out yet and the complaining has already started. It's current icon is fine. This one is hideous.

It's not a complaint. It's a suggestion. There is a huge difference between those two.

Today is a beautiful day. Hope you have a great day! ✌️

 

[ThisBougieLife]

Because many people (including me) have bunch of bought music. If they close the iTunes store, we lose access to it forever.

I am glad vinyl is getting popular, physical is king. I don’t have to depend on anyone except myself. I don’t have to be anxious that someone in the future will terminate service and my music will be gone forever.

Although, I am sad that we gave up CDs and then brought records back to life, because digital is superior to analog in every way when it comes to sound quality, plus ripping CDs is so much easier than recording vinyls.

I use the iTunes Store too. But the fact that the UI sucks and will probably never be improved (and that it's still called "iTunes") tells me they will likely discontinue it some day.

 

[djomaha]

Apple needs to update the Apple Music Classical App. This current one is too modern. Something like this?

Please stop suggesting this icon without fixing it! Musical staffs only have 5 lines not 6, and the notes as shown are way too large.

 

[Cheesehead Dave]

It made it seem like I could install it from a link in the Apple Music app. And when I got to the App Store it had a button to download. But when I tried to download it changed to a check mark and said Coming Soon.

It'll be available once it's Tuesday in your time zone.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I am excited about this. The separate app idea is a little confusing, but I am guessing Apple wanted to make this a unique experience, so ok.

Bet it is merged eventually

 

[StellarVixen]

I use the iTunes Store too. But the fact that the UI sucks and will probably never be improved (and that it's still called "iTunes") tells me they will likely discontinue it some day.

Yeah, feels like. At least all purchases after 2009 are DRM free, they will probably give a long enough notice that the store is closing, you can download all your songs and say goodbye to it forever.

 

[BMox81]

Great. Now if only Apple would allow SONOS and other non-Apple systems to play the tracks in hi res or even lossless. Otherwise, I'll be switching to Qobuz when it becomes available in Canada.

Sonos to add support for spatial audio on Apple Music on March 28 | TechCrunch

Sonos announced today that Sonos customers will have access to spatial audio on Apple Music starting March 28

techcrunch.com

Sonos is getting Spatial Audio from tomorrow so we’re getting there.

 

[xraydoc]

Screenshots look great. Sorted by main instrument, period, composer... Very much looking forward to this.

 

[xraydoc]

My God, what is this abomination?

I remember when Apple mocked the Android tablets for running stretched out Android phone apps while the iPad was running the apps optimized for tablet.

Not long ago, here they are doing exactly same stuff.

What the heck is going on with Apple? I really hope this won’t make it into final release, but there is not much time left.

Pretty certain that's just the iPhone app running on the iPad. I don't know if an iPad-specific version has been announced, but I can't imagine Apple leaving it like this for long.

 

[arkitect]

As I read these comments I'm starting to lose all enthusiasm I had built up over the months (years?) of waiting for Apple's solution…

Now it just seems so half baked.

Anyway. I'll re-subscribe and give it another whirl…

At least Apple Music isn't going to **** up my playlists carefully built up over decades this time. It did that first time round. 🙄

What the heck is going on with Apple? I really hope this won’t make it into final release, but there is not much time left.

This the final release. 🤨