Apple Music

Apple makes it possible to keep money stored with your Apple ID for purchases. When you have a credit in your Apple Account, this is the first method used to pay. After the balance is depleted, the next form of payment such as Apple Pay or a debit card is tapped. Funds can be added to your Apple ID at any time, and be used to pay for anything from Apple. This includes iCloud storage, digital content, Apple Music or Apple TV+ subscriptions, apps, and more.

Apple launched its Apple Music Voice Plan, a new subscription tier offering Siri-controlled music playback. For $4.99 per month, users get access to a large number of playlists exclusively via Siri. The service is designed so that subscribers can ask for music based on their current mood or activities. Of course, Apple Music subscribers on the individual or family plans can also listen to these curated playlists.

Shazam is offering a promotion for 5 months of free Apple Music from now until January 17, 2021. Apple acquired Shazam in 2018 and has integrated the song identification service into the iOS Control Center and into the Siri voice assistant. The Shazam app still offers more functionality, such as saving music to iCloud and playing identified songs on linked streaming music services.

This week Apple fired up its 24-7 music video channel, Apple Music TV. The live streaming service is free to watch, and includes live shows, world premieres, music videos, and more. US-based customers can see Apple Music TV in the Apple TV app or the Apple Music app. The channel can also be seen by launching Apple TV via apple.co/applemusictv.