If you use an iPhone and don’t subscribe to Apple Music, you should be happy to hear this news. Version 14.5 of iOS, already rich in new features (support for PS5 and Xbox Series controllers, handwriting on iPad, etc.), should change the daily life of iPhone and iPad users.
As of today, the Siri Assistant is only able to control music from Apple Music, the home music streaming service. A lack of openness that has long grumbled subscribers of competing services.
With iOS 14.5, Siri will ask you which music streaming service you want to use to launch a track, playlist or podcast. Better, the voice assistant will register it as the default service, so you will no longer have to specify which platform you want to use.
Among the services spotted by Reddit users are Apple Music, Deezer, YouTube Music or Spotify.
Apple opens up to competition
The strategy of closure has long been a pillar of Apple. The company used proprietary formats, limited access to certain features and even blocked certain competitors. Remember the first iPods that only connected to iTunes via an f connectorirewire that were only found on Macs. Ingenious, isn’t it? Not really.
History has shown that the opening was ultimately beneficial to Apple. By making it possible to connect the iPod to PCs and by developing a version of iTunes for Windows, the company popularized its player and in the process revolutionized the way we consume music.
Over time, the American therefore cheers up a bit. For example, the HomePod mini is no longer limited to Apple Music but can now play music from Amazon Music or Pandora.
A first effort in the musical universe that we would like to find in other areas. In 2019, Apple promised that Siri could choose the most suitable messaging system to send a message to a contact. We are still waiting.
–
