In an unexpected move, Apple has launched its dedicated orchestral app, Apple Music Classical, on the Android platform, making it available to non-Apple users for the first time. The app’s arrival on Android follows its initial debut on iPhones in March, signaling Apple’s willingness to expand its services beyond its own hardware ecosystem.
Apple Music Classical is a separate app from the mainline Apple Music, featuring distinctive navigation, fonts, and metadata handling specifically designed for easy searching within the classical music genre. While the Apple Music app has been available on Android since 2015, the dedicated classical music experience brings a new level of focus and customization for enthusiasts. However, it’s worth noting that Apple has launched the app on a rival platform before fully fleshing out its own hardware lineup, as there is currently no dedicated Apple Music Classical app for iPad or Mac. This strategic decision by Apple recognizes the popularity of smartphones as primary streaming sources, potentially allowing the company to attract more subscribers by extending its reach beyond its proprietary devices.
Apple Music Classical Now Available for Android https://t.co/gMBwdWWE04 by @hartleycharlton pic.twitter.com/Pv8ttjEOsu
— MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) May 30, 2023
The development of Apple Music Classical was made possible by Apple’s acquisition of Primephonic, a Netherlands-based classical streaming service renowned for its exceptional search capabilities. Following the acquisition, Apple promptly shut down Primephonic and integrated its features into the newly launched app.
With a vast library of over five million tracks, including thousands of exclusive albums, Apple Music Classical offers an extensive collection of classical music for enthusiasts to explore. The search functionality, inherited from Primephonic, enables users to find specific pieces based on composer, work, conductor, or catalog number, thanks to the app’s comprehensive and accurate metadata. In addition, the app supports streaming in up to 192 kHz / 24-bit Hi-Res Lossless audio quality, while also providing spatial audio and Dolby Atmos support for select tracks. It’s important to note that access to Apple Music Classical requires an active Apple Music subscription, with supported plans including individual, student, family, or Apple One. However, the voice-only plan aimed at HomePod users is not compatible with the service.
Apple’s expansion of Apple Music Classical to Android represents a significant step forward in the company’s commitment to delivering its services to a wider audience. By leveraging the renowned capabilities of Primephonic and offering an enriched classical music experience, Apple aims to cater to the diverse tastes and preferences of music lovers, regardless of their chosen platform. As Apple continues to refine and expand its offerings, it will be interesting to see how the integration of Apple Music Classical on Android influences its future plans for other in-house devices.
