Apple is separating the new smartphones into its usual low-cost versus high-cost categories, with big differences between the two models coming down to the camera, display, and battery life.
macOS Catalina Now Available
See watchOS 4.1's Music Streaming and New Radio App in Action
Today's watchOS 4.1 beta, seeded to developers this morning, introduces support for streaming music directly to the Apple Watch over LTE and it brings a new Radio app with access to Beats 1 live and other Apple Music radio stations.
We went hands-on with the beta to get a look at the new features, which are primarily aimed at Apple Music subscribers who have a Series 3 Apple Watch.
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The Music app on the watch looks mostly the same with access to your Music Library, recently played songs, playlists, and Apple Music mixes, but now all of your music content can be streamed over an LTE connection on the Series 3 Apple Watch models and doesn't need to be downloaded to your device.
With the update, you have access to the full range of Apple Music content, and can ask Siri to play songs with or without a phone and over WiFi or LTE.
The new Radio app houses all of your Apple Music radio stations and provides access to Beats 1 radio content. Siri can also create new radio stations with requests like "Play Taylor Swift" or "Play something fun."
It's not yet clear just how much streaming music over an LTE connection will affect battery life, but when possible, the Apple Watch will use the iPhone's connection or a WiFi connection to conserve battery.
These new features are available in watchOS 4.1, which is only available to developers at the current time. Apple doesn't offer watchOS public betas, so non-developers will need to wait for the update to be released to try out the new music capabilities.
We went hands-on with the beta to get a look at the new features, which are primarily aimed at Apple Music subscribers who have a Series 3 Apple Watch.
The Music app on the watch looks mostly the same with access to your Music Library, recently played songs, playlists, and Apple Music mixes, but now all of your music content can be streamed over an LTE connection on the Series 3 Apple Watch models and doesn't need to be downloaded to your device.
With the update, you have access to the full range of Apple Music content, and can ask Siri to play songs with or without a phone and over WiFi or LTE.
The new Radio app houses all of your Apple Music radio stations and provides access to Beats 1 radio content. Siri can also create new radio stations with requests like "Play Taylor Swift" or "Play something fun."
It's not yet clear just how much streaming music over an LTE connection will affect battery life, but when possible, the Apple Watch will use the iPhone's connection or a WiFi connection to conserve battery.
These new features are available in watchOS 4.1, which is only available to developers at the current time. Apple doesn't offer watchOS public betas, so non-developers will need to wait for the update to be released to try out the new music capabilities.
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Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
[ 106 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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27 months ago
Literally only thing I care about- Is your library from your phone back? Could care less about apple music garbage.
If you “could care less”, then you care. At least get the expression right if you’re going to insult Apple Music. :rolleyes:
27 months ago
Siri can also create new radio stations with requests like "Play Taylor Swift" or "Play something fun."
Waiting to hear which folks think those two requests are synonymous vs. who thinks they are diametrically opposed.
27 months ago
Streamed for about 45 minutes to the AirPods over LTE with some texting and news reading. Used about 5-6% battery.
Not scientific but I would say expect about 10% drop per hour of streaming. This was on a strong Verizon LTE signal.
Not scientific but I would say expect about 10% drop per hour of streaming. This was on a strong Verizon LTE signal.
27 months ago
If you “could care less”, then you care. At least get the expression right if you’re going to insult Apple Music. :rolleyes:
There are actually a few things that I could care less about than Apple Music, proper grammar being one of those things. But it's still maddening that Apple took away an incredibly useful feature and has not provided any answer whatsoever as to why. Seemingly the only reason they did this is to force users onto their monthly subscription.I used to leave my phone around the house and select music from my phone to play around the house. Also, this would not be an issue if Apple would let you downgrade firmware like the Iphone, in my haste I upgraded and didn't realize the consequences.
Off topic, anyone else bothered that they have now playing worse as well? I can no longer see how much is left on a particular podcast or song, its the little things that just annoy me more and more.
27 months ago
No WiFi. Less space than a Nomad. Lame.
The watch has WiFi, what are you referring to?
27 months ago
Waiting to hear which folks think those two requests are synonymous vs. who thinks they are diametrically opposed.
Sure thing, grandpa.
27 months ago
Is the new Radio app only available to Series 3? Updated my Series 2 but couldn't find the app. Before I could stream Beats 1 in the Music App, now it's not possible anymore...
Apple's release note didn't say that it's exclusive for Series 3 though...
Apple's release note didn't say that it's exclusive for Series 3 though...
27 months ago
Literally only thing I care about- Is your library from your phone back? Could care less about apple music garbage.
27 months ago
Literally only thing I care about- Is your library from your phone back? Could care less about apple music garbage.
Tell us how you really feel. I love Apple Music.
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