Shazam gives new Apple Music subscribers 6-month free trial

If you wanted to check out Apple Music, now might be the best time for iOS users. Apple is extending its usual three-month subscription to a six-month one. But there's a catch; you'll need to sign up through music discovery app, Shazam. Open the said app, and then head to the Library section. The offer should be available there. Unfortunately, the same offer doesn't seem to be available for Shazam Android users.

Source: MobileSyrup

Apple might bundle its TV, music, and news services under one subscription in 2020

The rumour that Apple intended to combine its different subscription services under one plan might be happening as soon as next year. Bloomberg reports that a recent deal with publishers includes a provision that allows the News+ subscription to be part of the bundle. Apple is also reportedly in talks with labels to make a similar deal. 

The move is a logical one. But what isn't know is how much the bundle will cost. Right now, Apple News+ costs $12.99, Apple TV+ is $5.99, Apple Music goes for $9.99, and Apple Arcade costs $4.99, which rounds that out at around $34. Apple could price it at $30 or lower. But we'll only know for sure if or when Apple decides to push through with this plan. It is unclear if its partners will agree with the arrangement as well.

Apple Music finally gets web version of the app

Apple has given in to the demand of users looking for a web version of the Apple Music app. The company launched a beta web-based version of its music streaming service on Thursday, filling in a gap that its competitors already offered. Existing users can sign in using their Apple ID. And the site keeps a lot of the core features of the mobile app. You can search and play songs from the Apple Music catalogue or your library (if Sync Library is enabled) and access your playlists. All the main sections of the Apple Music app are included as well (Library, Search, For You, Browse, and Radio). Apple plans to add more features as they develop the site. The company will ask users for feedback to help streamline features and squash bugs.

In the meantime, new users will not be able to sign up from the site. You'll need to do that through the Apple Music app on iOS or Android, or you'll have to boot up the clunky iTunes app. Non-paying users who visit the Apple Music website can access a limited preview of specific playlists.

Source: TechCrunch

Apple Music introduces 'New Music Daily' playlist

Apple Music revamps its "Best of the Week" playlist and turns it into "New Music Daily." This new curated playlist promises to feature "new music you simply can't miss from across the world and across genres." The Best of the Week playlist updated once every Friday with new songs of the week, similar to Spotify's "New Music Friday" playlist. It looks like Apple wants to differentiate itself by offering a playlist that refreshes more frequently than its competition.

When Apple Music debuted the playlist, it had Taylor Swift's "The Man" as the lead single with cover art featuring the artist. The assumption is Apple will change the lead artists in the artwork regularly, too.  The playlist might not be vastly different or will feature entirely new songs each day.  But it would be less static than a playlist that's updated daily. And if you want to see what new songs are added to this playlist regularly, you need to add it to your library.

Source: 9to5Mac