The brand new Apple Music Voice plan that Apple unveiled at the "Unleashed" event on Monday has caused some confusion. We're here to help you to understand this cheaper alternative that capitalizes on the potential of Apple's smart virtual assistant Siri.
Apple’s Music Voice Plan
In simple terms, the Apple Music Voice plan is controlled by voice-only access to the catalog that includes 90 million tracks. It will be available later in the year and, with it, you'll be able to play all the music you want to play--complete albums, single songs, and Apple's playlists. It's the all-you-can-eat version of Apple Music. The only catch is that you need to make use of the voice control feature to play it using an iPhone or other device with Siri enabled, like the HomePod Mini (now with some new and exciting shades), AirPods, or an iPhone.
What it's not is an expense to use Siri for playing your personal music. If you own tracks bought through or saved on iTunes, you can use iTunes. It's possible to play those tracks using the Apple Music app and control them with your voice like previously. The thing is that paying for this service allows you to access the streaming catalog of the company at a cheaper price than its individual or family plans.
Apple Music Voice seems best for casual listeners who don't want to spend their time creating playlists but just like to listen to music at the touch of a button. You can also request specific tracks and albums or albums. You can also simply say, "Hey, Siri, play some '90s Britpop" or "Hey Siri, play something chill." Additionally, you can get the option of accessing Apple Radio.
The Apple Music app displays a list of recently played music as well as suggestions for controlling your music with Siri. According to Apple, there are also "suggestions based on the listener's music choices" that include restricted content that may be played through the app.
Apple hasn't revealed how this will appear or function, so we'll have to wait for it to be released before we can test it.
You can make your own playlists, manage your playing queue, download music to your library, peruse lyrics on your iPhone or iPad, or stream from any third-party speakers with a lower subscription (such as Google Nest Hub, which does support the full Apple Music plan). It also won't play several of Apple Music's higher-quality audio formats, including lossless and spatial audio.
Both of these voice streaming services are unique in that you can simply purchase a smart speaker, such as an Amazon Echo or a HomePod Mini, plug it in, and ask it to play music. (You may actually start your Apple Music Voice trial by saying, "Hey Siri, start my Apple Music Voice trial. This removes a lot of the friction associated with getting started with streaming music, making it simple to set up even for non-techies. If you're sick of hearing The Eagles on their FM radio every time you visit, it'll probably make a nice gift for your parents this Christmas.
Devices that support the Apple Music Voice plan
Any Apple device with Siri should be able to use the Apple Music Voice Plan. It's compatible with iPhones, iPads, AirPods, Macs, HomePods, Apple TVs, and CarPlay.
India, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States will all have access to the Apple Music Voice Plan later this autumn.
Costing
Apple Music Voice Plan costs $4.99 per month in the United States. Individuals pay $9.99 per month for Apple Music, while families pay $14.99 per month. Students can get a cheaper plan for $4.99 per month.
Is it worth buying?
The Voice Plan simply provides access to the Apple Music collection at a cheaper cost than that of the Individual or Family plans. It's just for music fans who don't want to fiddle with the Apple Music app or spend several hours crafting playlists and just want Siri to play music.
To be clear, there is no charge to have Siri play music. If you do have songs from or on iTunes, you can still enjoy them using the Apple Music app and control them with voice commands, just like before.
So, give it a shot. You can also claim a free 7-day trial with your Apple ID.
