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samxv

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 23, 2015
22
18
I've been using Apple Music since it launched and I've still got a wishlist of features that have not been addressed. Starting to wonder if I am the only one who wants these things but they seem like a no-brainer to me.

1. Browser based / web (not flash) / app-free player:

When I'm at work I cannot install iTunes. So I'm forced to use Spotify Web Player and don't have access to my library, apple music exclusives, my playlists and I have to listen to ads.

Why hasn't this come yet?

2. Notifications when followed artists add new music.

Connect is not catching on, following artists for twitter style posts just seems useless. I want to get a notification when a new single / album / video is released or even the option to auto-add new music from certain artists would be great.

Sometimes a new single is released from an album, I'll add the available tracks, once the full album comes out I do not get notified, and when I add the rest of the album it does not get bumped up to the top of my recently added section? Really annoying.

3. Being able to download on-demand past Beats 1 / Apple music radio shows to my library.

I never catch when shows I want to listen to are on live (hi 2.) and the only option for listening to the on-demand shows is streaming them. I want to download these like tracks.

4. Better management of my iTunes Match / library iCloud music:

I can't easily see what from my iTunes managed to upload correctly and can't even seem to click a button to re-attempt the upload. It has simply given up with putting certain tracks of mine into the cloud.

Anyone else got things they'd like or share desire for these features?
I love the service but some major kinks in it for sure.

Maybe they're resolving some of this with the new iOS / macOS updates and I just missed it. I don't see them showing much concern over addressing any of this though.
 
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whsbuss

macrumors 601
May 4, 2010
4,263
1,094
SE Penna.
I totally agree with #1 and #2. I have to actually search the web for artists who have new releases. You should send this feedback to Apple.
 

Brookzy

macrumors 601
May 30, 2010
4,985
5,577
UK
Definitely agree with 1, 2, and 3. 3 seems the most ludicrous omission - licensing is the only reason I can think of for why the "Live From..." shows are not available on demand. I would definitely listen to the Live From LDN show on my commute if it was on demand.

With 4, I agree that it would be nice for the iCloud Music Library to be more transparent and maybe even visible as though it were another iCloud Drive, but then again, when it just works - as it does for me - it is nice for it to be totally invisible.
 

samxv

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 23, 2015
22
18
Definitely agree with 1, 2, and 3. 3 seems the most ludicrous omission - licensing is the only reason I can think of for why the "Live From..." shows are not available on demand. I would definitely listen to the Live From LDN show on my commute if it was on demand.

With 4, I agree that it would be nice for the iCloud Music Library to be more transparent and maybe even visible as though it were another iCloud Drive, but then again, when it just works - as it does for me - it is nice for it to be totally invisible.

The shows are on demand you can stream them using wifi or mobile data but you can't save the shows for offline listening - in case that wasn't clear. Just go to the show page.

But yeah glad it's not just me.
[doublepost=1471830160][/doublepost]
I totally agree with #1 and #2. I have to actually search the web for artists who have new releases. You should send this feedback to Apple.

Glad to hear it, so I looked into sending them feedback and found a web form that didn't fit past my second point in cause of the character limit.
 

Brookzy

macrumors 601
May 30, 2010
4,985
5,577
UK
The shows are on demand you can stream them using wifi or mobile data but you can't save the shows for offline listening - in case that wasn't clear. Just go to the show page.

But yeah glad it's not just me.
[doublepost=1471830160][/doublepost]
Most are, but at least for me in the UK on iOS 10, none of the "Live From..." shows are available on demand - online or offline.
 

bilibug

macrumors 6502
Aug 27, 2008
360
256
Stockton NJ
Web interface will not happen until Apple dumps iTunes.

My wish is for a reinstatement of track times in song and album listings, along with a smaller font so you can actually see the name of the track.
 

rctlr

macrumors 6502a
May 9, 2012
738
175
I got frustrated with 1. as well, and so I installed Plex on the computer with the iTunes library and pointed the iTunes Library Plugin to it.
With a free account, I can connect to my home machines through the plex website and listen to my music library, playlists etc from there.


With 2, it would be nice for connect to notify you of new tracks, but to be honest very few of the artists I follow want to use connect, hell, it's hard for some to even update their main social pages. The only way I've found this is subscribe to their twitter feeds, or record label twitter feeds, they are more reliable in telling you whats new.

3: Im sure it's licensing that breaks a on-demand/podcast model for beats1. BBC Radio has plenty of podcasts, but very few of them have the music. The only exceptions to these are the BBC Introducing Shows, and they have gained permission from the artists (who are not signed to any major label) for full air play and podcast play.

4: I gave that up some time ago after hitting the 25,000 buffer. I know that they are upped it but I think my method in comment 1 (Plex) is a nice free solution.

Sometimes needs must and you have to find the best way for yourself to get what you wish. There are alternatives, dont wait or hope.
 

princessgleek

macrumors member
Jul 11, 2015
70
8
I would like number 2 as well but joust for new albums but also when back catalogue by an artist is added
 

tonyr6

macrumors 68000
Oct 13, 2011
1,739
733
Brooklyn NY
Number 1 web player is needed bad. Still surprised and WWDC snore fest there was nothing now I doubt there will be any announcement of a web player next month. Apple really wants you to use iTunes.
 

Iceage

macrumors 6502
Apr 17, 2010
302
71
I'd like for Apple to add two other features:

1- a notification tell telling me I'm trying to add a song to a playlist which already has the song.

2- cross fading
 
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Julien

macrumors G4
Jun 30, 2007
11,847
5,441
Atlanta
I'd like for Apple to add two other features:

1- a notification tell telling me I'm trying to add a song to a playlist which already has the song.

2- cross fading
You must mean iOS since both of these are in iTunes so you need to qualify your statement.
 

samxv

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 23, 2015
22
18
Web interface will not happen until Apple dumps iTunes.

My wish is for a reinstatement of track times in song and album listings, along with a smaller font so you can actually see the name of the track.

I dont agree, iTunes can still be used for iOS device management and for more advance settings for the people who want it, i'd still use it at home. I just want a lightweight player like spotify web player. iTunes can still be relevant and have that alongside.
[doublepost=1472733177][/doublepost]
With 2, it would be nice for connect to notify you of new tracks, but to be honest very few of the artists I follow want to use connect, hell, it's hard for some to even update their main social pages. The only way I've found this is subscribe to their twitter feeds, or record label twitter feeds, they are more reliable in telling you whats new.

3: Im sure it's licensing that breaks a on-demand/podcast model for beats1. BBC Radio has plenty of podcasts, but very few of them have the music. The only exceptions to these are the BBC Introducing Shows, and they have gained permission from the artists (who are not signed to any major label) for full air play and podcast play.

4: I gave that up some time ago after hitting the 25,000 buffer. I know that they are upped it but I think my method in comment 1 (Plex) is a nice free solution.

Sometimes needs must and you have to find the best way for yourself to get what you wish. There are alternatives, dont wait or hope.

yeah no one uses connect thats why I want to get a notification when a new track is available, no need for the artist to do any work / make a post. the music app just needs a notification page.

BBC Radio has almost all shows available in full with all music, even when they stream live recordings from Festivals, I know because I used to listen to them. Whatever show apple aren't making available on-demand might be due to it not being their original content or whatever deal they made to stream it as the OP was saying but its seen elsewhere.


I don't want to set up plex, the whole point of apple ecosystem is 'it just works' not mess around with stuff to make it work as you'd expect. (at least this used to be the case for me). I can't use plex at work and thats my main reason for wanting a web player.
 

Iceage

macrumors 6502
Apr 17, 2010
302
71
My Favourite Mix & New Releases Mix showing up this morning under iOS 10 Apple Music "for you" tab. I really like both of them.
 

samxv

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 23, 2015
22
18
My Favourite Mix & New Releases Mix showing up this morning under iOS 10 Apple Music "for you" tab. I really like both of them.

I'm waiting for the full release of iOS 10 before trying it but I hope it makes the 'for you' section useful, normally I just get "intro to [enter artist I have in my library]" boring.
 

Iceage

macrumors 6502
Apr 17, 2010
302
71
I'm waiting for the full release of iOS 10 before trying it but I hope it makes the 'for you' section useful, normally I just get "intro to [enter artist I have in my library]" boring.

IMO the "for you" section is greatly improved. The overall design of the app is better and more more organized. The app still has room for improvement such as a warning of a duplicate track in a playlist, cross fading, ... I would love more Beats stations. The current station is not my type of station. Also, I would like to be able to add custom radio station (like Tune in Radio app). That way, everything music related would be in one place. I wasn't sure of the design at first, but it grows on you (although I still think that the size of the font is a bit too large).

That being said, I cancelled my three Spotify subscriptions this week. In Canada, it costed me $34 a month for three subscriptions as they don't offer a family subscription plan to Canadians PLUS we don't get app updates at the same time as the US. We're still on the old version of the app . Apple Music is costing me $15 or so a month for the three. I also buy iTunes cards when on a 20% sale from Costco or Loblaws. So, basically I get two free subscriptions by switching to Apple.

Base on the improvements in one year and the potential for Apple Music, I really feel that in the next few years, Spotify will lose quite a few subscribers to Apple.
 
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