Apple Music on Android finally supports Chromecast.
That means Android smartphone and tablet owners can wirelessly beam tracks, playlists, and albums to their Cast-enabled devices – like the bass-heavy Google Home Max, or to the speaker system plugged into their TV if the set is connected with a Google Chromecast.
Apple started to test the feature, which directly rivals its own AirPlay solution on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices to wirelessly send music to connected speaker systems, in beta last month, before adding it to the popular streaming service in a new update this week. Unfortunately, iOS users with Cast-enabled speakers around the home won’t be able to take advantage of the feature though, since this is reserved for Android users only at the moment.
As you’d expect, the whole system is designed to be as seamless as possible.
If there is a compatible Chromecast device on the same Wi-Fi network as the smartphone or tablet playing the tunes, then a small Cast icon will appear in the music app.
Tapping the icon will connect to your chosen Chromecast-enabled speaker or TV, and you’ll be able to control playback from your phone. And unlike using Bluetooth to beam your favourite album to the speaker, the chorus won’t be interrupted by a loud ping! every time you get a text message, email, or notification from a social media app.
Casting also works with Google Home and Assistant-compatible speakers, so you’ll be able to get some more features from your Google-designed smart speaker.
There are few differences between Apple Music on iOS and Android these days. Apple has done a solid job of keeping the service on par with its own devices.
That means those who subscribe to the family streaming option don’t all have to be on iPhone.
Just like its iOS counterpart, the Apple Music app on Android enables access to 45 million songs to stream completely ad-free.
You can also create your own playlists, or listen to those curated by the team of experts at Apple Music. The app will recommend playlists that it thinks you’ll like based on your listening history on the service. And if that’s not enough, you can also create a profile and follow friends to pick-and-mix from their tastes, too.
Like on iPhone, Apple Music is also packed with exclusive video content, like documentaries about popular artists, concert films, and original TV shows.
Apple recently added a Dark Mode too, mirroring one of the headline features in its new iOS 13 update for iPhone and iPod Touch users.
And there is also the Beats 1, available live or on-demand, which was of the headline features of Apple Music when it launched. DJ Zane Lowe, who left a hugely-popular show on BBC Radio 1 to help launch Beats 1, presents one of the flagship shows, as well as Elton John, Julie Adenoma, Joshua Homme, Pharrell Williams, and more.