Apple Music Gaining New 'Voice Plan' for $4.99/Month

[MacRumors]

Apple today revealed a new subscription tier for Apple Music, called the "Voice Plan" and priced at $4.99/month. This plan has been designed around the power of Siri and offers subscribers access to the service's catalog of 90 million songs only through Siri, hence the name.

This means that users on this tier can only access and play songs, playlists, and albums in Apple Music through their voice on devices like iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and HomePod mini. Users will be able to subscribe to the Voice Plan by saying "Hey Siri, start my Apple Music Voice trial, or by using the Apple Music app. The trial lasts seven days.

This plan is available for one person, similar to the regular $9.99/month Individual Plan, but essentially lacking all of the regular app-based UI in the Apple Music app. Apple says that users will still have full playback control including unlimited song-skipping through Siri.

Instead of the regular Music app UI, Voice Plan users will get a "customized in-app experience" with suggestions based on their music preferences and a queue of music that was recently played through Siri. There will also be a section called "Just Ask Siri" where subscribers can learn tips to optimize the voice assistant.

Apple Music is also adding hundreds of new mood and activity playlists, which were created by Apple Music's editorial team and are optimized for the Voice Plan. Some examples Apple gave are asking Siri to "Play the dinner party playlist," "Play something chill," or "Play more like this."

These new playlists will be available to all subscribers on any Apple Music plan. Those on the Voice Plan will also still have access to Apple Music's entire lineup of playlists, like New Music Daily, Today's Hits, Today's Country, A-List Pop, and more.

The Apple Music Voice Plan will launch later this fall in 17 countries and regions, including: Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Article Link: Apple Music Gaining New 'Voice Plan' for $4.99/Month

 

[Michael Clarke]

But… why?

 

[ParaShot]

so… what is that?

 

[Souponastick270]

Who actually wants this ?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Waste of $$ honestly.

 

[MacinMan]

I'm not sure what is meant by voice here. It's already possible to ask Siri to play music, or is this different ?

 

[Smithwicks]

So a $5 discount to deal with the frustration that is Siri? Not sure that’s enough.

 

[_Spinn_]

I don’t get the point. Maybe I’m missing something?

 

[GDF]

I don’t get it either? So, now you pay to use Siri? Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrow. Apple’s Keynotes are getting lamer and lamer.

 

[Juicy Box]

I'm not sure what is meant by voice here. It's already possible to ask Siri to play music, or is this different ?

The way I am understanding it, is the voice plan ONLY has Siri, no UI.

If so, definitely not interested.

 

[senttoschool]

Who actually wants this ?

No one. But it's $4.99 so it makes people want to upgrade to the $9.99 plan. Basically, just pricing play and marketing.

 

[RFolk]

They just selling siri... that is all.

 

[MacinMan]

The way I am understanding it, is the voice plan ONLY has Siri, no UI.

If so, definitely not interested.

OK, that makes a bit more sense. So the $9.99 plan is voice plus UI, the $5 plan is voice only without the UI. That still doesn't make sense unless it only works with the HomePod which doesn't have a UI.

 

[Cycom]

lol what a joke

 

[Krazy_Peanut]

No fu**ing way. You gotta pay for Siri??? I mean, I dont care. I think its the worst AI of all.

 

[mariusignorello]

They’ll discontinue this after a year. It just won’t sell well.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

They managed to give it an interesting name, though.

I saw it and thought "Oh, is Apple getting into the phone plan business now?" I certainly wouldn't mind switching to an Apple cellular plan that's only $5/month.

 

[JPark]

I’ll probably do it. $10 is too steep and I’d mostly use voice only anyway. $5/month for Apple Music sounds great.

 

[kiensoy]

I think I kinda get it. I think this is for people like me that use Spotify instead of Apple Music. But I have HomePods and it’s a pain in the ass to play Spotify there. Voice is convienient for a few times when you just want something playing with Siri.

 

[Apleeseed84]

I only used Siri ten years ago frequently, now I barely use it lolol

 

[theecksman]

I’m just a lurker on these forums but had to come and comment because Jesus you guys are special. The VOICE plan similar to amazons tiered plan for people who only use Alexa devices. It’s cheaper because it’s a plan I can guarantee is geared towards home pod customers. NOT on the go iPhone music customers. It’s 5 dollars to have your voice activated devices play music at home. People will pay for it.

 

[Realityck]

Obviously tied to HomePod minis.

 

[theecksman]

Obviously tied to HomePod minis.

Yes!!! You understand lol.

 

[surroundfan]

Apple introduces the Apple Music Voice Plan

Apple today announced the Apple Music Voice Plan, a new subscription tier of Apple Music designed around the power of Siri.

www.apple.com

 

[MedRed]

how did this make it from concept to production?