Apple shows off the music app in iOS 8.4 beta 3

By Karen Tumbokon May 11, 2015

iOS 8 running on iPhones. — Apple

Apple’s next big iOS software update, iOS 8.4 beta 3, is now available. The recent installment offers a refreshed look, a new mini-player, personalized playlists, global search, Up Next, and more. Most of the updates center around the music app, which was first shown off in April.

Apple describes the new music app as something that’s more powerful and more elegant than ever before. The new design will make it easier to browse through your music collection, and you can view pictures of your favorite artists. You can also stream your music using AirPlay without leaving Now Playing.

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Developers can grab the new beta in the iOS Dev Center or via an over-the-air update. Apple released the iOS 8.4 beta 2 two weeks ago, but the second public beta is currently available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Reports are suggesting that Apple is planning to debut its new streaming service, iOS 9, and OS X 10.11 at the Worldwide Developers Conference early next month. Apple plans to make its music streaming service attractive to music users by offering competitive pricing. The company said it plans to offer its service at a rate of $8 per month, which is already cheaper than paying for subscriptions to Spotify and Rdio.

Besides offering cheaper pricing, Apple has 60 million users and 15 million paying customers, making it easier to push its music service to millions of iPhone, iPad and Mac users.

According to Re/Code’s sources, Apple will offer a free trial period of one to three months for the service. The music streaming service will also let music owners upload samples of songs that others can listen to without having to subscribe to the service. Some would say this feature is similar to SoundCloud.

Industry sources say Apple doesn’t have the necessary licensing deals inked before the Worldwide Developers Conference, which will take place between June 8-12. However, most expect that Apple will announce the service at WWDC.

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