iOS 15.5 to Reintroduce Apple Music API Used by Third-Party Apps to Adjust Playback Speed

[MacRumors]

iOS 15.5 will include the reintroduction of a popular Apple Music API used by third-party music players that allowed users to change the playback speeds of songs within the app, an Apple software engineer has announced.

With iOS 15.4, Apple removed an API used by third-party Apple Music players that let users change the playback speed of songs. The Apple Music app itself does not let users change playback speed, but popular App Store apps like Perfect Tempo offer users that ability. For some unknown reason, Apple removed the API with iOS 15.4 but with the upcoming release of iOS 15.5, currently in testing, Apple is adding back the functionality.

Joe Kun, an Apple software engineer on the Apple Music team, posted this update to frustrated developers earlier this week (via iGeneration):

Hello,

We have re-evaluated our previous decision to disable changing the playback rate for subscription content from Apple Music in third-party applications, and we came to the conclusion that we could safely enable that functionality again, just like before the release of iOS 15.4.

As such, this issue is fixed in iOS 15.5 beta 4.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

Apple this week released the fourth beta of iOS and iPadOS 15.5 to developers. iOS 15.5 will include only small changes and features, alongside performance and security fixes. You can find all the changes coming with iOS and iPadOS 15.5 here.

Article Link: iOS 15.5 to Reintroduce Apple Music API Used by Third-Party Apps to Adjust Playback Speed

 

[Realityck]

Nice of Apple to return the API used by 3rd party Apple Music players.

 

[_Spinn_]

Good move by Apple to put it back. I'm very surprised they are backtracking on this decision.

 

[jav6454]

Perhaps their own engineers felt the difference in their homes.

 

[DanteHicks79]

Good move by Apple to put it back. I'm very surprised they are backtracking on this decision.

Right? Apple rarely, if ever, backtracks on something.

 

[B/D]

The latest betas seem really focused on Apple Music, which is a good thing (mostly bugfixes, but now there this).

 

[Mr.Blacky]

Why would I need this? ?

 

[Vermelho]

Just enable FLAC in Apple Music.
It’s already system installed (preview with space bar), more stable (error correction) and faster more compact than ALAC. I’ve ported over some of my old FLAC library to ALAC, but it’s a hassle, can bug out, and given it’s low popularity in comparison doesn’t have the 3rd party hardware support.

 

[4jasontv]

Why would I need this? ?

I can see it being useful for people learning to play a song, but otherwise I am not sure. Sometimes I listen to podcasts and audiobooks on altered speeds, but I have never considered doing so with music.

 

[SpringKid]

I can see it being useful for people learning to play a song, but otherwise I am not sure. Sometimes I listen to podcasts and audiobooks on altered speeds, but I have never considered doing so with music.

Tempo adjustment for working out.

 

[Reggaenald]

Good move by Apple to put it back. I'm very surprised they are backtracking on this decision.

Was probably a bug in the first place

 

[Reggaenald]

Perhaps their own engineers felt the difference in their homes.

It’s not an issue if the engineers not experience it.

 

[oldwatery]

Why would I need this? ?

you might not need it but anyone wanting to beat match when DJing absolutely does.

 

[Reggaenald]

I didn’t even know that this was a thing.
Surely, I know about slowed or speed up songs and enjoy a lot myself, for example Careless Whispers is chilling slowed down, but I didn’t know that there are apps that can do this with Apple Music titles.

Edit: just checked the apps out, none that are free or have sufficient functionality for no extra cost.
If apple would add this functionality to Apple Music I swear a lot of people would start using it/switch from Spotify.

 

[oldwatery]

But it will only allow changes to subscription music. Can I change stored music tempo?

 

[falkon-engine]

There’s EU in the air.

 

[WaxedJacket]

Need that bug fix for gapless audio tracks.

 

[sniffies]

Hopefully Perfect Tempo app developer (one of the best apps for adjusting playback speed) will update their app accordingly.

 

[dannyyankou]

Why would I need this? ?

For DJ mixing?

 

[weezor]

For DJ mixing?

This would be lovely but unfortunately there is no access to raw audio data from Apple Music content for mixing, looping or effects. I‘m not aware of a single DJ app that allows you to use it, the same goes for visualization apps.

This is the real problem, please Apple give us developers the same access to Apple Music content as we have with mp3 files directly imported to the device.

 

[Squillace]

For DJ mixing?

Sure... everybody knows all the greatest DJs in the world use Apple Music for their live mix performances...

 

[Mr.Blacky]

For DJ mixing?

Since when are DJs relying on playback speed of a music streaming service/music playback app? ?

 

[BootsWalking]

Good news: We're putting back the API to let third-party apps control the tempo in Apple Music.

Bad news: We're bumping your app off the dock to make room for Apple Music ?

 

[hagar]

What about crossfading? When will that come?

 

[Eorlas]

you might not need it but anyone wanting to beat match when DJing absolutely does.

I absolutely detest the kind of person you responded to, because they see something *they* do not use and have the audacity to go "why do I need this?"

if you don't then move on.

and yes, anyone in dire need, namely for work purposes, this particular function would essentially have to abandon iOS and iPadOS entirely.

it's already bad enough that Spotify axed their API for this purpose so now I have to retain multiple streaming services.