Apple Music unveils Collaborative Playlists feature

The development adds to a series of new introductions released with iOS 17 and aimed at “elevating the listening experience for subscribers.”

Apple initially experimented with Collaborative Playlists during the early iOS 17.2 betas last year but eventually removed the feature in the fourth beta due to unresolved bugs which couldn’t be addressed in time for the final release of iOS 17.2.

Collaborative Playlists allow subscribers to partner on playlists with family and friends. Users can invite each other to select and edit tracks and even add emoji reactions to specific songs.

Notable additions include the SharePlay feature, extending collaborative music sessions to the car, and the Apple Music Sing experience that introduces Continuity Camera, enabling users to see themselves onscreen and apply camera filters while singing along to their favourite songs.

To enhance playlist organisation, users can now mark songs and find them in a dedicated playlist. Furthermore, users can mark favourite albums, playlists, and artists, automatically adding them to their library for improved recommendations, as well as personalise playlists with cover art templates.

Suggested Songs simplifies and fosters music discovery, while the Now Playing feature showcases album art in a full-screen, in immersive experience with motion where art is available.. Song Credits provide comprehensive data about the artists behind tracks, while Users can also crossfade between songs and add Apple Music widgets to the Home Screen, offering quick access to personalised top picks, friend playlists, recommended New Releases or Top Charts.

In related news, Apple Music recently confirmed a royalty rate increase of up to 10% for Spatial-available content. The company says the move is “not only meant to reward higher quality content but also to ensure that artists are being compensated for the time and investment they put into mixing in Spatial.”