Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

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

flofixer said:
I don't get why people keep saying it's only for HomePod users. You can use Siri to ask your iPhone to play a certain song and then you can listen to the song with your headphones or even connect your iPhone to a speaker system either directly with an adapter or perhaps with bluetooth.
Click to expand...
Reading this thread I don’t think people have grasped it!
Whilst it’s not for me my two teenagers will often use voice commands to listen to one song or an album, either on the HomePod, Echos or CarPlay. I was getting all ragey because I wanted to play an album in the proper order the other day but they’re quite happy to dip in and out of songs as they choose. Different age groups, different needs.
it’ll be interesting to see if it takes off, I see it as an intro to the higher plans.
 
I don’t understand the negativity, this is an additional lower tier offer at lower cost for those that don’t want / can’t justify the cost of the full tier plan.

Music in my household apart from when I’m listening to my vinyl recordings in my study, literally just involves us asking Alexa to play xyz album or song as we do our chores around the house or relax together in the evening.

That’s £3:99 a month for a catalogue of 2 million songs from Amazon.

This is Apples alternative for that service at £4:99 a month with a catalogue of 90 million songs that can also be used on any Apple device not just the Home Pods unlike the echo speakers that Amazons voice plan is tied to.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CasinoOwl, BJMRamage and agoodpub
Marky811 said:
I don’t understand the negativity, this is an additional lower tier offer at lower cost for those that don’t want / can’t justify the cost of the full tier plan.

Music in my household apart from when I’m listening to my vinyl recordings in my study, literally just involves us asking Alexa to play xyz album or song as we do our chores around the house or relax together in the evening.

That’s £3:99 a month for a catalogue of 2 million songs from Amazon.

This is Apples alternative for that service at £4:99 a month with a catalogue of 90 million songs that can also be used on any Apple device not just the Home Pods unlike the echo speakers that Amazons voice plan is tied to.
Click to expand...

I think it’s based on personal use case.
While you play albums, I prefer creating playlists of different genres.
For me, the devil will be in the details.

-can you make your own playlists
-search or discover new artists on the app
-are you restricted to only what is curated for you

In other words, what will the experience be like.
That said, it priced lower so I assume it will be limited and aimed at the casual music listener.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marky811
The lack of understanding of this, and the negativity to it surprise me a little. It's just another option at a lower cost. Two days ago it didn't exist and most were fine. Today it exists and if you don't like you can ignore it... you will be fine. If it isn't successful, it will probably go away or evolve. I feel like people are mad that there is a lower cost option to what they are currently paying for, but since it isn't the same as their current option... I don't know, it's just weird.
 
  • Like
Reactions: flur, CasinoOwl, BJMRamage and 1 other person
I guess most of the people on here aren't old enough to recall the old days when you would turn on your radio and listen to whatever was playing, whether at home, or in your car.

There are also many people who have physical impairments that prevents them from seeing, or easily navigating a small device to listen to the music they want to listen to - when they want to listen to it.

This new plan adds another option to stream music, if you don't like it, don't subscribe to it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marky811, flur, CasinoOwl and 2 others
siddavis said:
The lack of understanding of this, and the negativity to it surprise me a little. It's just another option at a lower cost. Two days ago it didn't exist and most were fine. Today it exists and if you don't like you can ignore it... you will be fine. If it isn't successful, it will probably go away or evolve. I feel like people are mad that there is a lower cost option to what they are currently paying for, but since it isn't the same as their current option... I don't know, it's just weird.
Click to expand...

Perhaps, if that is indeed the case. But not likely if there are limitations placed on the VoicePlan.

The details during the keynote were pretty vague and glossed over. It remains to be seen, but this could be a great savings for many existing users to downgrade to. Or if it’s too limiting, it’ll be a perfect ’gift’ combination with a HomePod mini parents give their kids for Christmas.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BJMRamage
satchmo said:
Perhaps, if that is indeed the case. But not likely if there are limitations placed on the VoicePlan.

The details during the keynote were pretty vague and glossed over. It remains to be seen, but this could be a great savings for many existing users to downgrade to. Or if it’s too limiting, it’ll be a perfect ’gift’ combination with a HomePod mini parents give their kids for Christmas.
Click to expand...
OK, but some on this thread are acting mad about it even existing. This changes nothing for their existing plans.
 
  • Like
Reactions: flur and agoodpub
Marky811 said:
I don’t understand the negativity, this is an additional lower tier offer at lower cost for those that don’t want / can’t justify the cost of the full tier plan.

Music in my household apart from when I’m listening to my vinyl recordings in my study, literally just involves us asking Alexa to play xyz album or song as we do our chores around the house or relax together in the evening.

That’s £3:99 a month for a catalogue of 2 million songs from Amazon.

This is Apples alternative for that service at £4:99 a month with a catalogue of 90 million songs that can also be used on any Apple device not just the Home Pods unlike the echo speakers that Amazons voice plan is tied to.
Click to expand...
If it were accurate it might actually be useful but try asking for the 3rd movement of Tchaikovsky's 4th symphony conducted by Georg Solti and see what you get!
 
Scubadiver said:
I guess most of the people on here aren't old enough to recall the old days when you would turn on your radio and listen to whatever was playing, whether at home, or in your car.

There are also many people who have physical impairments that prevents them from seeing, or easily navigating a small device to listen to the music they want to listen to - when they want to listen to it.

This new plan adds another option to stream music, if you don't like it, don't subscribe to it.
Click to expand...
haha, I guess that's me. I actually still listen to FM radio in the car too.
We have satellite in the minivan but that's still letting someone else decide just no commercials.

And we use Pandora (free) on TV and iPhones to listen to music. we just state and artist to create a Pandora-generated Playlist. and it has commercials.

This VOICE plan could be nice to allow us to skip and select certain/specific songs if we'd like or just play an artist-based playlist/station if that can happen. and at just $5 not too bad a subscription price.
 
Thank you for the helpful people who explained why this tier makes sense for some people. I didn't get it at first. I could see how someone who wants to save money, or someone who only wants to play music on their homepods exclusively, would love this discounted plan. Me, I'll keep the $10 plan.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marky811 and flur
siddavis said:
The lack of understanding of this, and the negativity to it surprise me a little. It's just another option at a lower cost. Two days ago it didn't exist and most were fine. Today it exists and if you don't like you can ignore it... you will be fine. If it isn't successful, it will probably go away or evolve. I feel like people are mad that there is a lower cost option to what they are currently paying for, but since it isn't the same as their current option... I don't know, it's just weird.
Click to expand...

This is true. I didn’t have Apple Music two days ago and this latest option doesn’t change that. I’ve had Amazon music for years as part of a monthly Prime subscription which is £7.99 a month all in I think. I’ve had Apple Music a couple of times as a free trial but it’s always been a little bit more expensive than what I get with Amazon. I know Apple Music has supposedly more songs, but they have all the song and albums I listen to. Having tens of millions more songs I won’t listen to won’t benefit me. It’s good to see Apple try and reach out to their customers that don’t want to pay a lot, I just don’t think it’s enough at this point.
 
CasinoOwl said:
Thank you for the helpful people who explained why this tier makes sense for some people. I didn't get it at first. I could see how someone who wants to save money, or someone who only wants to play music on their homepods exclusively, would love this discounted plan. Me, I'll keep the $10 plan.
Click to expand...
As far as I can tell this service works on any Apple device. They never said its for HomePods exclusively. And they never said you couldn't still use the regular Apple Music app that ships with all Macs and iOS devices.
 
Am I missing something. My husband never wanted to put music on his phone. For Years he has just said "Seri play such and such" or Seri" Play Adele's greatest hits". And that music plays. Whats different?
 
Disneymom2003 said:
Am I missing something. My husband never wanted to put music on his phone. For Years he has just said "Seri play such and such" or Seri" Play Adele's greatest hits". And that music plays. Whats different?
Click to expand...
You were ALWAYS able to use Siri for Apple Music. BUT you could also use the Music App...and play on some non-Apple Devices, and Lossless and Spatial Music.

With Apple Music Voice Plan you LOSE Spatial Audio, Lossless, and ability to play on non-Apple devices. You can somehow use the Music App but that is VERY limited. your MAIN way to use Apple Music is via Siri with Voice.

Your husband would probably use Voice in the same way he currently does and could save $5/mo (not sure how a Family Plan could work or not work so that could influence that decision - we use the same iCloud account for Music, Movies, and Apps but separate iCloud accounts for Mail. so perhaps we could all still use Voice, perhaps not.
 
BJMRamage said:
You were ALWAYS able to use Siri for Apple Music. BUT you could also use the Music App...and play on some non-Apple Devices, and Lossless and Spatial Music.

With Apple Music Voice Plan you LOSE Spatial Audio, Lossless, and ability to play on non-Apple devices. You can somehow use the Music App but that is VERY limited. your MAIN way to use Apple Music is via Siri with Voice.

Your husband would probably use Voice in the same way he currently does and could save $5/mo (not sure how a Family Plan could work or not work so that could influence that decision - we use the same iCloud account for Music, Movies, and Apps but separate iCloud accounts for Mail. so perhaps we could all still use Voice, perhaps not.
Click to expand...
Thank you. He would never use it on non Apple devices. I don't think we have any
 
  • Like
Reactions: digibdallas
GDF said:
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.
Click to expand...
So true and cheesier. Now we have Cook in a field of bad tracked bouncing layered grass outside the Sesame Street level set design looking Apple silicon labs.
 
This isn’t a bad idea, it’s just the fact it relies on (stupid) Siri that makes it one.
 
digibdallas said:
Exactly!!! Why in the world pay for using Siri that already does this??? So annoying.
Click to expand...
Comment #143 and still can't figure this out. Everyone might agree that Siri could use some education, but how about some self awareness in reading comprehension? Here, let me provide the article links from the posting your are commenting on:

www.macrumors.com

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

Apple today revealed a new subscription tier for Apple Music, called the "Voice Plan" and priced at $4.99/month. This plan has been...
www.macrumors.com www.macrumors.com
www.apple.com

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

Ask Siri to dictate it for you if you can't sound out the words yourself.
 
Fortimir said:
Apples and horseshoes. Satellite radio audio quality is absolutely atrocious with crazy limited bandwidth. And you have no control over what you are listening to outside the century-old concept of stations. I'm not saying you're an idiot for enjoying Sirius — if it works for you it works for you — but these aren't remotely comparable things.
Click to expand...
Ahem. The sat radio part is kinda just a backup these days to the streaming app. Which has a much higher sound quality, more variety, more stations etc.
 
For clarity, how do you make a playlist with Apple voice? Do you have a GUI of the music list?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back