Apple had already committed to bringing lossless streaming and Dolby Atmos-based Spatial Audio to all subscribers without an added charge in its May subscription upgrade announcement. This release turns that commitment into a listening experience, adding dedicated Spatial Audio playlists while leaving Android support as the next distribution step.
The later Android rollout shows the announced cross-platform expansion was executed. Subsequent reporting that Apple would give greater weight to Dolby Atmos streams connects the playlist launch to a longer effort to increase the supply and consumption of Spatial Audio recordings.
First-order effects
Apple Music subscribers can now access Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio, while Spatial Audio playlists give Dolby Atmos tracks a distinct discovery surface.
Android users remain outside the initial launch, even as Apple says Spatial Audio support is forthcoming for their devices.
Second-order effects
Artists and labels with Dolby Atmos mixes gain a new editorial route to listeners through Apple Music's Spatial Audio playlists, increasing the value of preparing alternate mixes.
Extending the features to Android broadens Apple Music's feature parity across its own and rival mobile platforms, rather than reserving the format for Apple hardware users.
Third-order effects
Apple's later decision to reward tracks with Spatial Audio versions indicates that immersive formats are becoming part of music-service economics, not solely a playback feature.
If playlist promotion and royalty weighting reinforce one another, Dolby Atmos availability may become a more consequential release-format decision for labels and artists on Apple Music.
The trend: Music streaming is moving from flat catalog access toward platform-led incentives that steer listeners and rights holders toward immersive-format recordings.
One thing I would love to see Apple update is the ability to remove devices from an Apple account without using a Mac when you hit an Apple Music device limit.
If you've got AirPods and Apple Music, you need to listen to this Spatial Audio playlist: https://music.apple.com/... These just became entirely new songs. You can also turn it off mid-song to hear the difference 🤯 https://twitter.com/...
@SnazzyQ 😂 Spatial audio will be awesome as it becomes properly mixed for but I was more getting at, apple isn't forcing it on us. Good headphones do indeed sound better rn, that's the beauty of being apple to turn it off
Apple Music Spatial Audio (w/no head tracking, haven't tested that as don't have new enough AirPods) on Sony XM4's is nice. It's subtle. Rather than left-right-centre as you get in stereo, you now hear pronounced left-right-centre-behind — and then a little in between those.
It's gonna be hard for me to leave Spotify because of discovery but I'll probably cancel tidal now. Until Spotify updates, no doubt Apple Music sounds better now. https://twitter.com/...
@tldtoday Memes aside, I agree. I know some are going to like it even though it's almost never for me (I've found like 5 songs where I like it). That said, I'm a spoiled, pretentious audio nerd so I'm bound to dissent change. People are sure to like it on lower-end gear and that'…
iOS 15 lets you turn on Spatial Audio now for arbitrary stereo audio, even for radio stations in Broadcasts 😄 It places the sound source in front of you, and seems to do some spatial simulation effect https://twitter.com/...