Apple's music streaming app is finally available for Android users.
The Apple Music app launched on Tuesday in the Google Play Store, making it the company's first user-centric app developed for Android.
Apple first launched an Android app that serves as a migration tool for Android users to transfer their files to iOS, followed by the release of an app for its Beats Pill + Speaker last month.
Apple previously released its music streaming service for iOS users on June 30. Apple Music features a catalog of over 30 million songs, curated playlists from music experts (where the playlists are created based on the listener's preferences) and Apple's live radio station, called Beats 1.
A subscription to Apple Music costs $9.99 per month, but those who are curious to try it out without a commitment can take advantage of its three-month free trial. Apple also offers a family plan that includes up to six members for $14.99 per month.
Of course, Android users may be wondering which features are and are not included in comparison to the iOS app.
The Android Apple Music app is just a beta version, so Music Videos has not rolled out just yet. It's also important to note that those who are looking to sign up for the family membership can only do so for iOS or on Mac computers. Users will still need an Apple ID to sign up, but those Android users who do will still be able to have their music synced to make Apple Music their centralized music hub.
There is also an iTunes Music Store requirement, so Android users won't be able to purchase songs.
Other than that, Android users are getting the same main music features as iOS users, but on the design side, the company has tried to make it feel like an Android product.
"It's a full native app, so it will look and feel like an Android app," Eddy Cue, Apple's SVP of Internet Software and Services told TechCrunch. "We wanted customers on Android to naturally be able to use it — what they've learned and how they interact is common. Things as simple as [that] the share icon looks like an Android share icon; the menu structure being where it is; these are things that most Android customers are familiar with."
The app has a size of 29 MB and requires at least Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for installation. Apple Music for Android is not yet compatible for Android Wear or Chromecast Audio.
Apple Music is now available for Android in all countries Apple Music has launched for iOS in, excluding China. The Chinese release of the Android beta is expected in the near future.
Source: TechCrunch
