Apple Music may be soon be available as an option on Google Home devices, according to an image that was shared by MacRumors reader Jason.
We were able to track down the Apple Music listing within the Google Home app for iOS devices, but at the current time, it can't be linked to a Google Home device.
In previous versions of Google's software, Apple Music was listed in a separate "limited availability" section of the app and also "Only available on iOS devices". The updated listing suggests that Apple could soon make Apple Music an available option for Google Assistant-powered playback on Google Home devices, much like it did with the Amazon Echo.
Back in December, Apple Music became available on Amazon's range of Echo speakers, allowing Alexa voice commands to be used to control Apple Music playback.
The Apple Music listing appears to be relatively new, and given that it's not working, it suggests an upcoming feature.
Apple Music expanding to Google Home speakers would make Apple's music service more accessible across all of the most popular smart home speakers that are available at the current time, expanding access far beyond just the HomePod. Many other music services are available on Google Home, including Spotify, Pandora, Google Play Music, YouTube Music, and Deezer.
Update: In a statement to VentureBeat, Google said that Apple Music is limited to Google Assistant and there is no new announcement regarding Google Home: "Apple Music is currently only available for Google Assistant users on mobile phones. We have nothing to announce regarding updates to Google Home."
Update 2: Apple Music is no longer showing up as an option in the Google Home app.
Top Rated Comments
As for Apple giving up on the smart phone, I will say that fears of that are overblown. The smart home is far from over, and who is to say that it’s current incarnation is even the right one?
https://www.aboveavalon.com/notes/2019/2/21/revamping-apples-home-strategy
With renewed focus on privacy, I will say google and amazon should be more worried about their current strategy than Apple.
Apple will never compete in the sub $50 speaker category so they have nothing to lose by making Apple Music available everywhere where Spotify is available.
Spotify’s entire revenue comes from their service. Apple Music exists to keep people in Apple’s ecosystem, buying iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches which is where Apple makes their real money.
In the same way that Apple didn’t give up on Macs and iPods when offering iTunes on Windows PC’s, there is still room for HomePod as the native Apple Music experience for those who want superior audio.
You just spelled out why Apple is doing this. Apple users had been forced to sign up for Spotify because they had no other choice when getting a Google Home or Amazon Echo, both very popular because of their low price. Now, they can stay on Apple Music which builds loyalty and keeps them in the Apple ecosystem where they’re buying iPhones and other Apple devices.
No, it’s the other way around. People are on Apple Music because it’s the native music solution to their decision to own an iPhone.
Offering Apple Music everywhere where Spotify is available keeps people on Apple Music which in turn keeps them inside of the Apple ecosystem.
What this move does is make life very difficult for Spotify. Now an iPhone who might own a Google Home or an Amazon Echo doesn’t have to abandon Apple Music and sign up for Spotify because they had no Apple Music as a choice. Spotify is no longer the default, almost exclusive choice.