Classical music lovers around the world were happy when Apple launched its new Apple Music Classical app. The app is built on the old Primephonic classical music service, and it offers several features that classical music lovers have been requesting for years. The app lists movements neatly beneath works, ensures that composers aren’t mislabeled as artists, and separates orchestras from conductors. But while the new app offers many improvements, it still has some shortcomings.
1. No Downloads
The ability to download tracks, albums, and playlists for offline listening is one of the key features of the main Apple Music app. Unfortunately, the Apple Music Classical app does not yet support downloads. This means that users need an internet connection to access their favorite compositions in the app. There is a workaround where you can create playlists in the Apple Music Classical app, which you can download in the main Apple Music app. However, this workaround does not allow you to access the app’s rich metadata.
2. No Queuing
Queuing is another feature missing from the Apple Music Classical app. Users cannot queue up individual works for playback or make changes to the playback queue in any way. This means that users have to listen to entire albums or playlists in the order they are presented in the app. This is a significant limitation, as it restricts the user’s ability to customize their listening experience.
3. No Autoplay
Autoplay is another feature that is missing from the Apple Music Classical app. The feature is available on the main Apple Music app, but it does not work well with classical music. Users were hoping that the classical music autoplay feature would be smarter, selecting entire works rather than individual movements. Unfortunately, the Apple Music Classical app does not have an autoplay at all.
4. No Stations
Stations are a great way to discover new classical works, composers, and artists. Apple Music Classical does not allow users to create stations based on individual tracks, works, or composers. While users can create stations from classical music in the main Apple Music app, the resulting playlists are not ideal for classical music listening.
5. Limited Device Support
The final major issue with the Apple Music Classical app is its limited device support. Currently, the app is only available for iPhone users. There is no iPad version of the app, which means that users cannot enjoy the app’s features on a larger screen. The app also does not support HomePod, tvOS, or CarPlay. While users can AirPlay the app’s content to these devices, they cannot play music independently of their iPhones. This is a significant limitation, particularly for users who prefer to listen to music while driving.
While the Apple Music Classical app has many excellent features, there is still plenty of room for improvement. The lack of downloads, queuing, autoplay, and stations, along with the app’s limited device support, are all significant issues that Apple needs to address. However, we are optimistic that Apple will continue to refine the app and provide classical music enthusiasts with an even better listening experience in the future.
