Photo Credit: Alexander Shatov
Code in Apple Music’s Android client beta hints at new subscription tiers and features that don’t exist in the current iteration of the music service.
Apple Music has long been a streaming service that provided all users with the same level of service regardless of their subscription plan. But code spotted in the developer beta for Apple Music on Android includes some lines that don’t apply to the current version of the service as we know it.
These lines include “Premium access required,” and references to reaching a “skip limit.” But Apple doesn’t currently offer a “premium” tier at all, nor does it offer any tiers that receive a limited service to users for a cheaper price. Of course, there’s the 30-day free trial, but that doesn’t provide users with limited service, which rules it out.
Some users suspect it could be for something unrelated, such as radio stations—but that also doesn’t add up without an overhaul of Apple’s current radio stations.
It seems more akin to offerings from Spotify, which could indicate that Apple is testing the waters with cheaper plans with certain restrictions. That could include features like a skip system, either for radio stations or Apple Music proper.
Either way, such a subscription tier would undoubtedly not be free; Apple Music has never been offered completely free to users outside of certain promotions, such as coupled with a mobile phone contract.
However, that doesn’t mean Apple couldn’t start offering a free, ad-supported tier. But the company has long spoken against it, believing such a model works against artists and devalues their music.
“I think it’s not the right thing for songwriters and artists to just say, you know what, we’re going to give this away for free,” said Apple Music VP Oliver Schusser last month. “Especially with the very little monetization that artists and songwriters are going to get in return.”
Needless to say, any new tier from Apple probably won’t be offered for free. But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen; just that it seems very unlikely.
