Apple Music subscribers can now access the streaming service on the web.
On Thursday, Apple launched the web-based version of its music-streaming service, which was previously only accessible as a downloadable app or on iTunes. The site, currently in beta, is available at beta.music.apple.com. Existing subscribers can sign in using their Apple ID.
The site addresses a notable gap in Apple Music, which costs $9.99 a month. Last year, PCMag gave the service a positive review, but we were disappointed to see the lack of web support when many other rival streaming offerings let users access thier music libraries online.
According to TechCrunch, the web version retains many core features found in the Apple Music mobile app. Once you sign it, the service will automatically pull in saved playlists.
This also gives Apple another avenue to reach out to potential customers, especially Windows users, many of whom would no doubt like to jettison the clunky iTunes app. (Though Apple is retiring iTunes on macOS, the app will live on in Windows, unchanged.)
Non-paying users who visit the Apple Music website can access a limited preview of certain playlists. For now, you'll still have to sign up for the service via the Apple Music apps for iOS and Android or iTunes.
The site arrives as Apple and Spotify are all competing for subscribers in the streaming music space. Apple Music reportedly now has over 60 million subscribers. Spotify, meanwhile, has 108 million paying subscribers.