Music Makes the World Go ?Round
For many of us, music is something that is incredibly important. It grounds us and can inspire us. It can make us cry, laugh, and feel transported back to a certain time in our lives. I shudder to think about life without it.
If like me, you are always tuned into your music, then you know how important it is in every aspect of your life. From getting ready for the day, to working, to going about your day-to-day activities; music has a very special role in each and every one of them. Whether you're at the gym pumping some iron or just relaxing at home with a glass of wine; having some good music can really help set the mood.
Music has the unique ability to heal both emotionally and physically. For example, if you have gone through a bad breakup, the right song can reach into your heart and help you feel less alone. It can validate your feelings and remind you that others have experienced similar struggles. In some cases, a song can also lift you from your darkest moments, cheering you up and helping you to remember that everything will eventually be okay.
Which music streaming service is best for us? In this age of information, with all the gadgets and gadgets we have, we need a service that can keep up with our needs. We need a service with a lot of songs so that we can accompany any situation. But how do we know which one is right for us?
Choosing the Right Music Streaming Service for You
Starting out, I think it's important to ask yourself what you hope to get out of a music streaming service. For example, if you're just looking for a way to listen to your favorite songs without having to carry around an entire CD collection with you, then an app like Spotify might be a good fit for you. Whereas if you're looking for something that can help you learn about new music and expand your listening horizons, then services like Pandora or SiriusXM might be better suited for you. There's not one music streaming app that is objectively the best - each one has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
If you want to access your music exclusively through a streaming service and are okay with music being released a week early or watching live streams of once in a lifetime performances, then Tidal may be the best choice for you. If you want custom playlists that are based on your listening habits, Spotify might be a better option. And if you are more laid-back and just want radio-style music, Pandora may be the better option for you.
Today we will be taking a look at one of the most popular music streaming services out there, Apple Music. Many people seem to swear by it, so if you're looking for a streaming service that is popular and has a lot of functions, Apple Music may be the best option for you.
Apple is easily the most influential tech company of our day, and so, in turn, people expect great things from everything they do. Recently, their music and streaming app, Apple Music, came out. Though we highly anticipate the quality of their products, unfortunately some users have had some negative experiences with it. Let's take a look to see if it lives up to the hype.
Getting the Criticism Out of the Way
First, I want to address the criticism that Apple Music has of not working with non-Apple products. Personally, I don't like having to have an Apple product in order to use the app, because it makes it difficult for me to use it on devices that I don't own. However, I understand that this is a limitation of Apple Music and not a flaw.
This is an obvious smart move for Apple from a business standpoint. It gives the app an air of exclusivity that many others (save for Tidal) struggle to produce. However, there is an exclusive, and then there is inconvenient. If you are a PC user, the fact that you will have to download iTunes in order to access Apple Music is not very convenient at all.
It would be preferable, from the perspective of an Apple Music user, if the site were usable from within one's web browser of choice - the way that Spotify and Tidal has designed its sites. However, when you go to Apple Music's website, instead of a convenient in-browser web player, you will be prompted to open up iTunes. All in all, if you are not using an Apple product, the app is probably the best way to make full use of Apple Music.
Sounds good so far, right? Once you have all of the necessary programs and are logged in, Apple Music is pretty straightforward to use. The app has a simple interface that's easy to understand, and it has five tabs at the bottom that make it one of the more user-friendly streaming services out there.
To access millions of songs, click on Library, For You, Browse, Radio, or Search. The Library section is one of the key strengths of Apple Music, allowing you to browse any of the music that you have purchased through the app or uploaded onto your device. This is one thing that sets Apple Music apart from its competitors; the ease with which you can access the music that you already own. Doing this on Spotify, for example, can be tricky and requires a bit of know-how. So it's wonderful that Apple Music makes this one central feature.
One of the Largest Music Streaming Apps there Is
If you're thinking of using Apple Music primarily as a music streaming app and nothing more, you'll be pretty pleased with its selection of songs and subscription options. It sits right between Spotify and Tidal in terms of the number of songs available for streaming, with Spotify having over 30 million songs and Tidal over 60 million. Plus, Apple Music claims to have over 45 million songs which is pretty great.
And if you have an iPhone, Apple Music is free for the first six months.
As far as payment plans for Apple Music are concerned, the individual plan is priced at the standard for audio streaming apps, $9.99 a month. There are also two other options that might be convenient for you to explore - though these might not suit everyone. If you are a college student (and can prove it), you can use Apple Music for $4.99 each month. And if you have an iPhone, Apple Music is free for the first six months.
Or try out Apple Music's Family plan, which allows up to 6 people to stream on your plan at once for $14.99 a month. As far as price goes, Apple Music is not more expensive, nor is it remarkably more affordable than other options on the market (unless, of course, you are a student? in which case, Apple Music is a steal).
All in all, Apple Music is a great app design-wise. It's easy to use, and everything will be organized and integrated into one place. If you're using a PC, however, there are other options that might be more convenient for you. But as long as you download iTunes too, Apple Music will still be a great choice.
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