iOS 8.4 First Impressions
The most awaited music streaming app from apple launches as an update included in the iOS 8.4 package. Users can generate and modify playlists, listen to their favorite music expert’s playlists and can download the tracks. Affiliation costs only $9.99 a month with a three-month free trial available to all users.
The iOS 8.4 update has been available since last week and it is the Apple’s most up-to-date version of iOS 8. IOS 9 is expected in the fall.
What is in the beat?
A 30M track music library from different record labels
Free uploading of 25,000 of your own tracks
A ‘Beats One’ radio Bespoke, human curated, playlists
It offers ‘Family Pack’ at a cost of $14.99 per month for up to six people
A 3 month free trial
The rainbow colored icon for music apps is now ready on your phone by just updating the latest version of iTunes on your Mac or PC or on other Apple devices. Apple includes Taylor Swift’s album 1989, Pharrell’s new single Freedom and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic tracks to its new version.
Each playlist provides “Make Available Offline” option, which let you download a copy to your device
The wireless streaming of Apple Music to any device that supports Airplay, such as an Apple TV and wireless speakers.
The Added Flavor:
iBook Upgrade
Apple has moved all the audio-book files, to the iBooks app from Music, which is an effective up grade strategy
Bug Fixes
The iOS 8.4 update provides three bug fixes. To start with; the text crash has been fixed, location data can be shared with third party GPS accessories, re-installation issue of deleted apps in Apple Watch has been repaired.
The Malfunctions:
Home Sharing –Unfortunately, the streaming of audio content from Mac OS X computers to iPhones, iPads and iPod touches – was abruptly pulled back in iOS 8.4 leading to irritable complaints from users who are addicted to the feature. Apple has promised to reissue the feature in iOS 9 very soon.
Speaking out on Twitter Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, responded to criticism saying “We are working to have Home Sharing in iOS 9”.
The search function left Dee Locket of Vulture frustrated as he said, “Most of us are probably used to typing in a couple letters into a Google or Yahoo search bar and getting exactly what we’re looking for in under a second. Apple Music’s search algorithm, unfortunately, isn’t as convenient so far.”
Complaints about decreased iOS 8.4 battery life. Reviews from forum and social media show that complaints about poor battery life after installing iOS 8.4 and Apple Music are very common.
The Contrast:
IOS8.4 offers a free three month trial compared to 1 month on Google Music and 2 months on Spotify
Apple iOS 8.4 has live radio streaming as compared to computerized radio playlisting of Google and Spotify
Apple has to look at Apple Music working offline and audio tracks max out at 256kbps verses the higher quality 320kbps of Spotify and Google
Although the Apple iOS 8.4 update is not as remarkable as expected, Apple fanatics are indulging themselves and downloading it.