Apple Music May Add New Subscription Tiers Soon
▼ Summary
– Apple appears to be developing new subscription tiers for Apple Music, based on strings found in the Android app’s beta version.
– The beta strings include messages like “Premium access required” and “Can’t skip any more tracks,” suggesting feature limits.
– Track-skipping limits are common on free plans from competitors like Spotify, but Apple’s music head previously said “free was a terrible idea.”
– It is unclear whether the tiers include a free plan or different priced options, and the strings could be for unrelated features like radio stations.
– The discovery comes one month after Apple Music’s head expressed pride in the service lacking a free tier.
A new discovery in the latest beta version of the Apple Music Android app hints that the streaming service may soon introduce different subscription tiers. According to findings shared by Aaron Perris, hidden strings within the code suggest Apple is experimenting with a lower-cost or even free tier for its music platform.
Perris posted on X that specific messages in the beta include “Premium access required” and “Can’t skip any more tracks,” the latter appearing after a user hits a skip limit. These strings strongly resemble the feature restrictions common on free plans from competitors like Spotify, where skipping tracks is a perk reserved for paying subscribers.
It remains unclear whether Apple is developing a completely free, ad-supported tier or a cheaper plan with limited functionality. Perris himself cautioned that the strings could be related to something else, such as radio stations within the app.
This discovery is intriguing given recent comments from Apple Music head Oliver Schusser. In a Bloomberg interview just last month, he stated, “I’m sure you’ve heard me say this: I think ‘free’ was a terrible idea. Apple Music is the only service that doesn’t have a free tier, and believe it or not, we are really proud of that.”
Despite that strong stance, the presence of these strings in the Android beta suggests a shift may be underway. The timing indicates that any potential new plans could be announced sooner rather than later.
Currently, Apple Music costs $10.99 per month with a one-month free trial. Would you consider a cheaper or free plan if it meant limits on skipping tracks? Share your thoughts in the comments.
(Source: 9to5Mac)
