Apple Music is now more affordable for those who agree not to use buttons. A new “Voice Plan,” unveiled Monday during Apple’s big “Unleashed” event, lets you access the entire Apple Music catalog using only your voice for just $4.99 a month.
That’s half the price of a regular Apple Music subscription — and it might just be ideal for HomePod users.
Get Apple Music at half price with Voice Plan
“Apple Music and Siri are natural partners and already work seamlessly together,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats. “With Siri actively used on hundreds of millions of devices worldwide, we are thrilled to add this new plan that delivers an effortless music experience just by using your voice and makes Apple Music accessible to even more people around the world.”
Voice Plan sounds like a pretty strange idea at first — and it kinda is. It’s Apple Music as you know it, with access to the entire catalog you’re using to getting … but you can only control it through Siri using voice commands.
It’s probably not what you want if you predominantly use Apple Music on an iPhone, iPad or Mac. But if you’re looking for a more affordable way to enjoy Apple Music on HomePod, which uses voice anyway, the Voice Plan looks like an interesting option.
Daylite is Monterey-ready!
Excited for macOS Monterey? So are we! Daylite is an award-winning, small-business CRM and productivity app made exclusively for your Mac, and it’s now Monterey-ready! It goes beyond the essential CRM experience with complete Apple integration, online or offline. Daylite stays with your team from the first sales lead to landing the business and the repeat business. If you live by the Mac, you’ll love Daylite.How well will Siri work with Apple Music Voice Plan?
Cupertino also announced an initiative to add loads of precooked playlists to Apple Music so you can ask Siri to set the mood.
“Our music experts have created new playlists for hundreds of moods and activities,” said Apple Music’s Zane Lowe during the streamed event. “Now, if you ask Siri to put on a playlist for your dinner party, you’ll hear the perfect selection from Leon Bridges. When you want to relax before bed, there’s a playlist for winding down, featuring one of my favorite artists, Nils Frahm. And when you need that extra push to take you further on your next hike, you’ll need The Weeknd’s ‘Take My Breath.'”
Of course, it remains to be seen just how “perfect” those playlists will be. And being tied to Siri means the Voice Plan is available only on Apple devices. So it’s no good if you plan to use Apple Music on an Android, a smart TV or a third-party set-top box.
If you’re happy with all that, you can sign up for Apple Music’s Voice Plan in 17 countries and regions starting this fall. Subscribe through Siri by saying, “Hey Siri, start my Apple Music Voice trial,” or use the Apple Music app.
