Apple added a few new features to Apple Music at its annual developer conference this year, but unless you have an Apple Watch, you won’t see them.
Apple made some tweaks to Apple Music in WatchOS 4, the latest version of its Apple Watch operating system. Now, the app can track music you love and sync it to the watch.
Playlists like New Music Mix (which Apple builds for you based on what you like to listen to), Favorites Mix, and your most-listened-to music will automatically sync to your Apple Watch so they’re waiting for you when you’re commuting or working out.
And when you begin a workout in the Fitness app on Apple Watch, you can set a playlist to automatically start up – no need to fiddle through the app.
While these features aren’t revolutionary, they are convenient, and will only enhance the experience for those who own an Apple Watch.
Unfortunately, Apple didn't make those kind of updates to its iPhone app in iOS 11.
The only "big" change Apple made to Apple Music in iOS 11 is one Spotify has had for years: the ability to create a public profile so friends can see what you're listening to and follow along.
Apple will also be adding a Movies and TV tab so users can more easily watch the original video content Apple has started producing.
Despite reports that Apple planned to unveil a new version of the app this year, there's no indication that's happening. The last time Apple announced a redesign of Apple Music was June 2016 at its last WWDC event, so it seems we may have missed the window for a revamp this year.
While the WatchOS 4 updates are great, the 27 million Apple Music subscribers probably would have appreciated some fun new features in iOS 11 to play around with.