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June 17, 2015

Apple Music Shouldn’t Exist, But I’ll Still End Up Using It

6.17

Image via Apple.com

Apple Music Shouldn’t Exist

While the iPod, iTunes and the iTunes music store rescued Apple from being a niche player (and possibly from extinction) and started it on its trajectory to being the most valuable company in the world, Apple no longer needs music to survive (in fact “iPod” was removed from the company’s menu this week). As the App Store has grown in value and overall downloads, use of the iTunes Music Store has plateaued or declined, with only relic like me purchasing music.

Every young person I know consumes music through existing streaming services and has almost entirely eschewed the iTunes Music Store. Streaming is clearly the way forward. Apps like Spotify already exist, are growing, and are laser focused on the music experience without having to split their attention on products, like you know, the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.

As Ben Thompson at stratechery.com points out:

… The fact that the iPod became just an app is symbolic of a far more profound shift: Apple has become a platform company in a way they never were even in the Mac’s heyday, and certainly unlike they were when the iPod was king. Perhaps the right thing to do is to enable — and extract rents from — services with not just the DNA but also the incentives and focus to deliver a compelling music experience.

But Apple Music Does Exist, Why Would I Use It?

As always, Apple brings to bear a level of interface design and ease of use that surpasses its competitors. Also, if you’re heavily invested into the Apple ecosystem, you can easily access Apple Music on all of your devices (except Apple TV, but one would have to imagine that is coming soon). If you’ve got an Apple device, you already have an account and likely a credit card on file, making the barrier to begin using Apple Music extremely low. And finally, if you’re part of a family, Apple Music is an incredible deal. For $14.99, up to 6 people can use Apple Music and maintain separate libraries, playlists and recommendations.

Why I Will Probably Sign Up on June 30th

While I have been using Spotify heavily for two years, I’ve never once paid for it. I’ve used the ad supported desktop version, but am currently enjoying a three-month free trial (that has no ads and includes mobile use). And despite my inclinations to buy and own my music, I’m not sure I can ever go back to not having the world’s music catalog at my disposal at a moment’s notice. But if you’re already paying for Spotify, don’t need Taylor Swift and aren’t part of a family, I’m not sure the superior interface design is enough to make the switch.