Apple looks to kill off free Spotify streaming to make more $$$ for itself

[elbows]

Um..

The problem with that article is that Cook will still take the piss out of Android tablets if he wants to, because as far as I can tell those stats where android has overtaken iOS are not device-specific, i.e. it includes phones?

I certainly haven't been taking the piss out of android phone share of any kind (apart from profit share) for years. In fact I'd actually assumed that overall android browser usage had overtaken iOS ages ago.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Apple Music is still pretty decent three months in. Good enough to pay for so its goodbye Spotify for sure.

 

[skyscraper101]

Unfortunately for Apple they're too late to the party, I've got too many playlists carefully curated over the last few years on Spotify and I simply CBA to re-create them all on Apple Music. I don't even like the interface. I've been using it constantly while I've had it for free to see if I can warm to it in any way and I just can't.

 

[chandlerp]

The fact it auto-runs when connected to my car stereo was enough to put me off. It isn't even in the active apps to swipe closed so I have to "start" the application that's already running and then close it. PITA

 

[xenon]

I upgraded my Iphone 5 to iOS 8 on Tuesday. Yeah really, only just got around to it. Low on space, etc. Then went to 9 yesterday. Skipped the Applemusic thing but I think I will sign up for the trial.

I still like buying downloads and having them stord locally, which is technically illegal again but anyway as my phone is out of space, maybe I should get on with this streaming lark. Been using Jango Radio app but you can't pick individual tracks on that.

 

[editor]

Unfortunately for Apple they're too late to the party, I've got too many playlists carefully curated over the last few years on Spotify and I simply CBA to re-create them all on Apple Music. I don't even like the interface. I've been using it constantly while I've had it for free to see if I can warm to it in any way and I just can't.

If they'd released an absolute Spotify killer, then maybe people would have gone for it, but it seems it's very much a me-too kind of product with no real advantages or standout features

A lot of people are using Apple Music, but how many are staying around to pay for it now that the free trial period is over? One person who certainly won’t be shelling out cash for Apple Music is highly respected music industry analyst and critic Bob Lefsetz, who is simply stunned at how much he disliked using the service during the three-month trial period. In fact, the major question he has for Apple about his experience with Apple Music is, “How could they get it so wrong?:

Renowned critic is stunned by Apple Music: 'How could they get it so wrong?'

 

[sim667]

If they'd released an absolute Spotify killer, then maybe people would have gone for it, but it seems it's very much a me-too kind of product with no real advantages or standout features


Renowned critic is stunned by Apple Music: 'How could they get it so wrong?'

I didn't even sign up for the trial, because I don't use spotify or any music streaming service..... they're all a bit shit for my tastes in music.

Plus I don't want some cunting company dictating to me what I should and shouldn't listen to.

 

[mwgdrwg]

I've subscribed.

The For You and curated playlists are fantastic. Better than other streaming services.

 

[editor]

I've subscribed.

The For You and curated playlists are fantastic. Better than other streaming services.

Spotify does what I need just fine.

 

[mwgdrwg]

Spotify does what I need just fine.

So does Apple Music. In fact it's suggestions are excellent.

 

[editor]

So does Apple Music. In fact it's suggestions are excellent.

No reason for me to switch to the copycat service though.

 

[mwgdrwg]

No reason for me to switch to the copycat service though.

Probably not. Competition is a good thing though isn't it, we have more choice than ever when it comes to streaming.

 

[editor]

Probably not. Competition is a good thing though isn't it, we have more choice than ever when it comes to streaming.

Apple are hardly the people we should be celebrating for introducing 'competition' to any given market.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Apple are hardly the people we should be celebrating for introducing 'competition' to any given market.

 

[sim667]

Apple are hardly the people we should be celebrating for introducing 'competition' to any given market.

I don't think we should be celebrating many tech companies at all for the scummy things they undertake.

 

[xenon]

Quick question.
So signed up for trial on apple music. I want to add some albums to my library (yes I know I'll lose access after trial unless paying.) It says I need to enable it in Icloud. SO question is...

Is it just storing a playlist referring to the location of the music on Apple' Music server in Icloud or actually copying over the tracks into the fre 5GB Icloud space?... Because obviously if the latter, that's, well, a bit shit.

 

[xenon]

And another question...

Can you use Google Chromecast Audio with Apple Music?
<GFGI>

 

[skyscraper101]

Can't answer but that's exactly the kind of ambiguous stuff that put me off Apple Music. I couldn't tell what exactly it was asking for and the interface was shite anyway.

 

[souljacker]

And another question...

Can you use Google Chromecast Audio with Apple Music?
<GFGI>

Not at the moment but there are rumours of Apple Music getting an Android App so maybe they will add chromecast to that and then put it in the iOS app as well.

You could localcast from an iOS device though.

 

[xenon]

Well Apple Music doesn't support Chrome Cast at present. Shame. I use a Bluetooth thing to stream to my stereo, not ideal. Apple's Airport Express is still about 80 quid.

Still don't know about the Icloud access. Maybe I should just add a load of albums and see how much space I lose.

 

[mwgdrwg]

Quick question.
So signed up for trial on apple music. I want to add some albums to my library (yes I know I'll lose access after trial unless paying.) It says I need to enable it in Icloud. SO question is...

Is it just storing a playlist referring to the location of the music on Apple' Music server in Icloud or actually copying over the tracks into the fre 5GB Icloud space?... Because obviously if the latter, that's, well, a bit shit.

It's the former. Doesn't take up any of your iCloud storage at all.

 

[MarkyMarrk]

I'm not sure why anyone would be angry about this. If Apple do it better, and they usually do, they'll be successful. If they don't, you still get Spotify - which will probably improve because of the pressure. The competition will make the service better one either way.

 

[MarkyMarrk]

Apple Music is still pretty decent three months in. Good enough to pay for so its goodbye Spotify for sure.

I agree with this.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

I'm not sure why anyone would be angry about this. If Apple do it better, and they usually do, they'll be successful. If they don't, you still get Spotify - which will probably improve because of the pressure. The competition will make the service better one either way.

Exactly. The anger is certainly strange, it's all good for consumer choice.

 

[editor]

Looks like it's bitten them right on the arse.

Apple has been fined €1.8bn (£1.5bn) by the EU for breaking competition laws over music streaming.
The firm had prevented streaming services from informing users of payment options outside the Apple app store, the European Commission said.
Competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager said Apple abused its dominant position in the market for a decade.
She ordered the US tech giant to remove all the restrictions. Apple has said it will appeal against the decision.
The European Commission's decision was triggered by a complaint by Swedish music streaming service Spotify, which was unhappy about the restriction and Apple's 30% fee..
Ms Vestager said Apple had restricted "developers from informing consumers about alternative, cheaper music services available outside of the Apple ecosystem".
"This is illegal under EU antitrust rules," she said.

Apple fined €1.8bn by EU for breaking streaming rules

It comes after Spotify complained about a block on telling users about cheaper alternatives to app store.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Apple Music is still pretty decent three months in. Good enough to pay for so its goodbye Spotify for sure.

And I never went back. AM has proven excellent over the years with the app being refined and made much nicer.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Looks like it's bitten them right on the arse.

Apple fined €1.8bn by EU for breaking streaming rules

It comes after Spotify complained about a block on telling users about cheaper alternatives to app store.

www.bbc.co.uk

Isn’t that like 15 minutes profit? If things are going to change these regulators need to put a couple more zeroes on their fines…