Microsoft has now revealed that next year, Windows PC users will be able to get Apple TV and Apple Music from the Microsoft Store. The Microsoft Store will soon host early beta previews of these programs.
In 2019, in response to iTunes’ growing size and complexity, Apple released macOS Catalina, which separated the music program into its component parts. While this released a specialized Apple Music program for Mac users, Windows users are still limited to using the dated iTunes player.
Users of Xbox and Windows have been waiting for an official Apple Music experience since Apple TV was released on the Xbox two years ago and Apple Music was released on the PS5 last year. Updates from Microsoft arrived this week, at long last.
The Xbox One now supports Apple Music. Microsoft has announced that Apple Music and Apple TV will be available in the Windows 11 Microsoft Store in the coming year. Later in this year, you’ll be able to try out prototypes of these apps. Need it now, not in a month? There is no way around using iTunes for Windows or the web app, I’m afraid.
There is further Microsoft-Apple integration. You’ll soon be able to access your iCloud photo library from Windows 11. This will sync all of the photographs from your iPhone and iPad to the PC’s Photos app. It’s official: Windows Insiders can now download the iCloud for Windows app. All Windows 11 users will get access to this feature in November.
With the announcement that the Photos app in Windows 11 will integrate with iCloud, the Apple cooperation has also expanded into the realm of personal media. This implies that the native Windows Photos program can be used to seamlessly see an individual’s iCloud Photo Library.
Furthermore, earlier today, the Apple Music app was released for Xbox users.
In the past, the iCloud for Windows software allowed Windows users to save a local copy of their iCloud Photos. This makes it seem like you’re exploring a library when you’re actually browsing files. When iCloud Photos is integrated into the Photos app, it will deliver a more complete experience, similar to what Mac users get via Apple’s iCloud Photos. Members of the Windows Insider program can try out a beta version of this integration right now, and the full rollout will occur in the coming months.
PC users have not had access to Apple’s TV and Music apps until now. If you have an Apple TV and a Windows PC, you can access TV+ material by going to tv.apple.com, which is a really horrible online app. To access Apple Music, users can visit music.apple.com or suffer via iTunes for Windows.
There were better options available than these two. It is expected that the native Apple Music and TV apps would greatly improve the user experience for Windows customers who wish to stream Apple Music and Apple TV+ original content on their personal computers.
Apple places a higher value on subscription revenue than on hardware sales, and these announcements show that trend continuing across a broader range of platforms. If Apple is going to sign massive sports partnerships like its arrangement to stream Major League Soccer exclusively beginning with the 2023 season, then Apple TV needs to be available on as many devices as possible. Additionally, NFL Sunday Ticket streaming rights are anticipated to be acquired by Apple TV.
The Best Apple Music Program for Windows
You may have stumbled across “Apple Music Electron” in your quest for the finest Windows Apple Music app. Indeed, the original program has developed into what is now known as Cider. This is “an open source and community oriented Apple Music client for Windows, Linux, macOS, and more,” as described by the creator. A desktop version to iTunes is provided, but that’s not all that’s happening here.
App for Windows with the Highest Quality Apple Music
Apple Music has made considerable efforts to compete with Spotify, but there’s still one vexing issue that hasn’t been fixed: the service doesn’t include a radio station discovery feature. At least, Apple hasn’t made any moves to fix the issue. A major drawback is that the Windows and macOS desktop clients aren’t as well optimized as would be ideal. While it’s fantastic to have access to your whole music collection as well as the extensive streaming library offered by Apple Music on your computer, you’re not likely to make use of either if the app isn’t particularly satisfying to use.
Those who wish to keep using Apple Music but don’t choose to use the desktop client aren’t presented with many viable options. In the guise of Cider, however, there is now reason for optimism.
Glasses of Cider, iPhone Music App, and Windows
Maybe you’ve heard of “Apple Music Electron” in your search for the best Apple Music app for Windows. Indeed, the original program has developed into what is now known as Cider. This is “an open source and community oriented Apple Music client for Windows, Linux, macOS, and more,” as described by the creator. A desktop version to iTunes is provided, but that’s not all that’s happening here.
Cider is available on Windows.
If you’re looking for a music player that can also access your Apple Music playlists, go no further than Cider.
Right out of the box, you can show other people on Discord what you’re listening to on Last.fm and vice versa.
There are a number of accessible and actively developed audio enhancements, including Spatial Audio, the Adrenaline Processor, and Equalizers.
Gameplay may be managed from a distance, eliminating the need to repeatedly press Alt+Tab.
These may not seem like much, but the fact that they are included in this third-party client greatly expands their potential applications.
You can try out Cider for free, and it’s accessible on pretty much every device you could want. From there, it may be purchased for $0.99 at the Microsoft Store, where it can be downloaded quickly and from where subsequent upgrades can be automatically installed.
That “Remote Control” is the first of its kind. The Spotify mobile app effectively accomplishes the same thing, but there is currently no equivalent for Apple Music. You can’t use your phone’s Music app to quickly switch songs or artists while listening to music on your PC. Cider’s standalone Remote app is the answer to this issue.
