Apple Music’s Biggest Flaw

I love Apple Music, but…

We all know that Spotify is a superior streaming platform for music. They were on the scene first. If Apple had been quicker to the punch, maybe it could have carried over its iTunes success with Apple Music.

Everyone does have preferences, though. I prefer Apple Music. First, let me explain.

I’m well aware that Spotify is better for music discovery and has a better app user interface. In fact, Spotify having a functional desktop app makes it better than Apple Music. That’s not the point.

There are many features that draw me to Apple Music, for example, it doesn’t feel overwhelming from a UI perspective. I also think its layout and user interface is slightly better even if the user experience is slightly worse. I also have a theory — I’m sure I’m not alone — that Spotify shuffles music to be partial towards music you listen to more.

Apple Music, unlike Spotify, allows you to purchase music. Though it is rare, I do have a few songs downloaded that it feels nice to have the option. For example, if a song isn’t on Apple Music, I can either purchase or download it and sync my iCloud music library to stream on any device.

Furthermore, Spotify made a change a few years back to the way music is organized. Instead of focusing on albums, Spotify made a conscious decision to focus on singles. This matters.

If you “like” an album on Spotify, the album doesn’t get added to your library. Instead, users need to add every song. That’s annoying.

In theory, you have more control because, for example, on Apple Music I cannot add a full album to my library without adding every song. But I never go back and organize my music via album.

Spotify’s app never actually lets you feel like you are “in control” either. If you want to add music to your library, they call it “liking” songs. On Apple Music, it’s straightforward — “add to library.”

Apple Music does have one flaw

Synchronized listening on any Apple device.

Spotify uses the web and your data connection to control the music you listen to. If I hook up my iPhone to my living room speaker, I can now open my…