Starting this month, iCloud+ subscribers in over 100 countries will gain access to Apple Music Select, a limited version of Apple Music. A representative for the company says the move is an effort to boost paying Apple Music subscribers in emerging markets. Additionally, iCloud+ users will also get access to Apple Arcade, the company’s gaming app, and Apple TV.
Oliver Schusser, vp of Apple Music, has always said he doesn’t believe in a free tier for a music streaming service. While the Apple Music Select offer for iCloud+ subscribers is free — iCloud+ is not. Users must pay a subscription fee that starts at about a dollar a month to be part of iCloud+. With Apple Music Select, users can toggle through a selected handful of stations, picked by Apple Music editors, to give them a taste of what’s offered in the full service.
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According to Apple, the experiences offered on Apple Music Select include locally relevant stations programmed to their specific region and genre- and era-based stations. The service, described as a “lean-back audio experience,” does not feature any ads.
To further reinforce the on ramp of Apple Music Select to Apple Music proper, iCloud+ subscribers will be offered the ability to subscribe to the music streaming service for a lowered monthly price, with rates varying by location. iCloud+ will roll out to over 100 countries and regions by the end of the month, including India,Nigeria, Saudi Arabia,Singapore,Türkiye, theUnited Arab Emirates and more.
Denis Ladegaillerie, founder and CEO, Believe, counts himself as a supporter of the move, saying: “Apple’s initiative brings a fresh, innovative approach to connecting wider audiences with digital music across emerging regions. By championing domestic artists through dedicated programming, Apple will actively help develop the local digital music ecosystems where Believe’s artists thrive every day.”
