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With the release of iOS 8.4 and the new built-in Apple Music service, Apple removed Home Sharing for music on iOS devices, a move that many Home Sharing users have been upset about.
It was unclear if Home Sharing for music would be re-added in the future, but according to iTunes chief Eddy Cue, Apple is planning to add Home Sharing to iOS 9. In response to a tweet about the removal of Home Sharing for music, Cue tweeted "We are working to have Home Sharing in iOS 9."
Wording in the release notes for the last iOS 8.4 beta suggested that Home Sharing and Genius Mixes were "not currently available," hinting that the features could return at a later date, and it appears that is indeed Apple's plan.
While Home Sharing for music has been removed in iOS 8.4, the feature is still available for video. Home Sharing for music also remains available on the Mac and the Apple TV. It is unclear when Home Sharing for music will be introduced in iOS 9, but the next beta is expected later this week.
In recent weeks, Apple has been embracing social media, with Eddy Cue answering several questions about Apple Music and related services. Cue also used Twitter to announce Apple's plans to pay artists during the Apple Music free trial after an open letter from Taylor Swift, and he informed users about an upcoming iOS 9 beta seed that will add Apple Music to the new operating system.
Top Rated Comments
Before it was fine; music from the iTunes Store has no DRM so it's okay if FairPlay wasn't entirely secure for music. But now with Apple Music, a hole in FairPlay is serious because people can use it to remove DRM from the "rented" music and keep it forever.
The whole thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth, really; we were finally moving away from DRM on music entirely and now here it is, coming back with a vengeance.
Looking at it all, I get the feeling the "suburban commuter in the car" persona wasn't even considered by the UI designers. It seems completely skewed towards musically-promiscuous, late-teen, early 20's commuters who ride the subway or the train to work, who have both hands free and are happy to interact heavily with the device as they listen.
That "urban-hipster" use-case should certainly be an option, not the default. Better yet, it should be a separate app that draws from the same local music database as the traditional iTunes mobile app.
Give me the old iPhone app back please Apple. I don't need this other stuff getting between me and my music.