Unlocking the Beat: Discovering the Affordable Apple Music Voice Plan and Its Unique Features

Apple Music stands out as one of the leading audio streaming platforms globally, continually enhancing its features. It’s not confined to Apple gadgets alone; users can access Apple Music on Android devices, computers, smart speakers from Amazon and Google, as well as any Web browser. Moreover, the introduction of high-resolution audio streaming at no extra cost has established it as one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective audio streaming services in India, especially for those with at least one Apple device.

With the recent iOS 15.2 update, Apple has begun implementing the Apple Music Voice Plan, which is the most budget-friendly option available on this platform. Priced at Rs. 49 per month in India, the Apple Music Voice Plan grants access to the entire catalog of over 90 million songs on compatible devices, with the condition that you must use voice commands to Siri to request songs or playlists. I had the opportunity to test it out, and I’m sharing how the new Apple Music Voice Plan functions.

Apple Music Voice Plan: pricing and trial information

Global launch of the Apple Music Voice Plan took place in October 2021, and it is now offered at Rs. 49 per month in India. This plan provides access to single tracks and curated playlists, along with ad-free uninterrupted streaming, the option to skip songs, and more.

You can even experience the service for free before making a commitment; a seven-day trial can be activated using just a voice command, without the need for payment details. Additionally, a three-month free trial is available that will transition to billing automatically after that period, using any payment option associated with your Apple account. It’s crucial to highlight that accessing most content with the Voice Plan is only possible through voice commands to Siri on an eligible device.

Apple Music Voice Plan: device compatibility

The Apple Music Voice Plan operates with commands to Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant for its devices. To subscribe to the Voice Plan or utilize the free trial, you must be running iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, watchOS 8.3, tvOS 15.2, macOS 12.1, or software version 15.2 for HomePod and HomePod mini devices.

Additionally, a compatible device with Siri built-in and internet access is required. I tested voice commands to access songs and playlists on several devices, including an Apple HomePod mini, Apple iPhone 13, and a CarPlay-compatible system linked to the iPhone. It is also functional on Apple Watch, AirPods, Mac computers, and Apple TV.

Apple Music Voice Plan: functionality

I initiated the seven-day Apple Music Voice Plan trial on the HomePod mini with a simple command: “Hey Siri, start my Apple Music Voice trial.” The iPhone linked to the same Apple account confirmed my successful subscription to the free trial, allowing me to play songs and playlists on both the smart speaker and phone.

For those using the Voice Plan, the Apple Music app on any device will show basic recommendations and limited listening history through the ‘Listen Now’ section. While some tracks and playlists can be played without voice commands, this selection is restricted. This is the only aspect of the experience that does not rely on voice commands, and searching for specific tracks via the app is not feasible.

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The Apple HomePod mini retails for Rs. 9,900 in India

The Search section presents numerous recommendations, organized by genre, mood, and other factors. However, I could only play these tracks or playlists using voice commands to Siri. The music library is vast, but the experience mainly hinges on providing instructions to Apple’s voice assistant.

I was able to request almost any track or curated playlist with just a voice command. Playing a song was straightforward and effective for me on both the HomePod mini and iPhone 13 mini. Most tracks responded well to simple requests, and Siri adapted well to the Indian accent and preferences. When I asked for a specific track, Apple Music would subsequently queue a playlist of suggestions based on that selection.

I could also ask for various playlists organized by genre, decade, and artist. This included more complex commands, such as ‘play upbeat 1980s music’ or ‘play Hindi music featuring Shah Rukh Khan’, with Siri usually generating a satisfactory playlist as a result.

With the language set to English (India), Siri can also understand requests in some regional languages, but it works optimally when interacting in English. It’s important to note that features like track downloads, lossless audio streaming, and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos are currently not available with the Voice Plan. Users cannot create custom playlists or add songs to their library unless they’ve purchased them through iTunes.

Siri and Apple Music are adept at managing voice commands on authorized devices, which is crucial for the Voice Plan’s operation. However, relying solely on voice commands to find tracks has its downsides. Often, I was unable to play specific remixes or versions of a song, or a remix or cover was played instead of the original track I wanted.

The longer the song title or artist name, the more complicated the command became, leading to potential errors from Siri, resulting in the incorrect track being played. This could easily be resolved by searching for tracks manually by text, but that option isn’t available in this setup.

Conclusion

Apple Music is arguably the leading streaming platform in India currently, owing to its broad accessibility, high-resolution and Dolby Atmos track availability, and a massive library spanning numerous genres and artists. For users in India, it provides remarkable value, with subscription costs significantly lower than those in many other international markets. If you own Apple devices such as an iPhone or HomePod mini, an Apple Music subscription is definitely worthwhile.

The Voice Plan, despite its limitations in accessing music, is a valuable addition to the existing options, providing an economical way for users to start enjoying premium music streaming. It may appeal to those purchasing lower-priced iPhone or iPad models, but the individual plan at Rs. 99 per month (or Rs. 999 per year) offers considerably more features for just a bit more cost.

Moreover, an Apple One subscription or an Apple Music Family Plan delivers even greater value, especially in India. If you qualify for the Student Plan, which is also priced at Rs. 49 per month, you’ll enjoy all the features of the more expensive Individual Plan.

That being said, the Apple Music Voice Plan could be particularly beneficial for users who have a HomePod mini or AirPods, which are designed to integrate effortlessly with Siri. It may be a good starting point before eventually upgrading to the Rs. 99 per month Individual Plan or the Rs. 149 per month Family Plan. It could even be maintained long-term if you primarily listen through a smart speaker like the HomePod mini.