Apple Music is finally making its way to Android.
The app, which is available Tuesday in beta, comes nearly five months after the service launched on iOS and on iTunes for Windows/Mac.
In that time, Apple Music has garnered 6.5 million paying subscribers. Still, coming to Android is a big step for the company; it's Apple's first proper Android app and the first time iTunes content has been officially available on another mobile platform.
The timing of the Apple Music for Android launch is pretty solid. We're in the middle of a busy new music release period, with highly anticipated albums from Justin Bieber, Adele, One Direction and Rihanna all expected over the next few weeks. Still, the streaming music space is crowded, especially on other platforms.
Eddy Cue, Apple's SVP of Internet software and services, spoke with Mashable about the ideas behind Apple Music for Android and what it means for the company's musical aspirations going forward. Nearly six months after Apple Music's official launch, Cue seems pleased with the service's trajectory. And while he didn't have any additional updates on subscriber figures, he said the service continues to gain traction.
Cue is excited to bring Apple Music to Android, although he admits that this is new ground for the company. Beats Music, the spiritual predecessor for Apple Music, had an Android app early on. But this is still Apple. With the exceptions of a "Move to Android" app and one made by Beats for the new Beats Pill spaker, this is the first real attempt by Apple to be on another mobile platform.
"From the beginning with Apple Music, our goal was for everyone to use it," Cue said.
It's a strategy that has worked well for Apple before. When iTunes went cross-platform in October 2003, it ensured that Apple's music store would become the music store. As the world shifts from digital purchases to online streaming, being platform agnostic is key.
That's why every streaming service on the planet -- think Spotify, Rdio, Tidal, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Deezer -- works on multiple platforms.
Designed for Android
Apple Music for Android will require Android 4.3 or later, and is designed to look like an Android app. While it's designed for phones, it will also work on tablets.
It uses the hamburger menu instead of icons on the bottom, Cue said, and though anyone with an existing Apple ID or iTunes account can log in to Apple Music on Android, Cue says the team is working on simplifying the sign-up process for people without Apple IDs.
The beta launch will come without certain features. Music videos won't be available at launch, and if you want to sign up for the Family Plan (which is $14.99 a month for up to six people), you'll need use a desktop computer or iOS.
Still, everything else from the existing app -- "For You," "New," "Beats 1 Radio" and a user's existing library -- all work on Android.
Perhaps the best feature of Apple Music for Android is that past iTunes purchases also show up in the app. Adding the ability to access purchases from the past and future is a move that may put Apple Music on par with other streaming and purchasing services. Cue added that users will be able to share songs from Apple Music via links and social media, similar to iOS.
There are plenty of ways to bring your iTunes purchases to Android, but those require using a Mac or PC to upload to another locker service or download directly to your phone.
The biggest barrier
Apple Music may have trouble convincing Android users to give it a chance. Cue concedes as much: "We know we're not experts on Android users," he said. In the past, Android users have responded to Apple's appearances with one-star reviews. But Cue doesn't seem worried about a negative reaction.
"The exciting part is bringing Apple Music to more people, that's the fun part," he said. "We hope customers will try it out and make a judgment based on how it is."
For Cue, features like Beats 1 Radio and the curated playlists and recommendations will help Apple Music stand apart from the pack. Plus, Android users will get a three-month free trial for Apple Music, just like iOS users did. After that, the app will begin automatically charging you.
As a user who subscribes to Spotify, Apple Music and now YouTube Red (which includes Google Play Music), I do think that Apple Music's curation features are best in class. But the reality is, from a library perspective, Apple Music is virtually identical to other streaming and storage offerings.
Still, if you're on multiple platforms and your iTunes is filled up, Apple Music for Android could be attractive and compelling. There's an added bonus if you're interested in its family-style pricing.
Apple Music for Android is now available in beta in all countries where Apple Music operates with the exception of China, which will be launching soon. Stay tuned for our first hands-on with Apple Music for Android later today.