Apple just announced that Apple Music is now available on Android. The app is now available for download on the Google Play Store for smartphones with Android 4.3 or later. Apple Music for Android is essentially optimised for smartphones but tablets running the required Android version should be able to use the app as well.
The version that is released on Android however is still in beta. Apple Music for Android is available on all countries that Apple Music serves except China in which Apple says will be available ‘very soon’. Apple Music for Android comes with a three-month free trial with subscription pricing similar to the iOS version.
The interface of Apple Music for Android is almost identical to that on the iOS. However, it is missing a couple of features such as Music Videos and signing up for a family membership. For users that are already signed up for Apple Music on iOS, their iCloud music library will show up on the Android version of the app.
There are certain features not available for Android users however. Users are not able to purchase songs due to iTunes Music Store not being available for Android but users are still able save music and playlists to their devices for offline listening and the ability to renew their free three-month Apple Music subscription into a paid one through the android app.
This is the first dedicated Android app to come out of Apple – previous apps were intended to help users port over to Apple from Android. While it is obvious what Cupertino is up to, the company claims that expanding Apple Music to additional platforms is because music should be universal and global, and it wants Apple Music to be exposed to as many audiences as possible. Despite having many alternatives, Apple Music for Android at least gives more choices for Android users and considering it has an extensive three-month trial period, it might be worthwhile to give it a shot.
(Source: TechCrunch)
