OUR services
the shift
With the emergence of Spotify, YouTube Music, and other music-oriented apps, Apple found it was time to retire the iTunes library, which began to collect digital dust.
After much speculation and rumor, Apple finally entered the streaming race by retiring iTunes altogether. They replaced it with their new app called Music, featuring the optional feature of a paid subscription-based streaming service named Apple Music
Pulling it Apart
As other platforms began to mature, we decided to give Apple’s approach a fair chance. We committed to rebuilding our Apple Music experience over the next year. Its many features needed to be simplified so that different segments are instantly recognizable.
Without delay, here are my reflections, both as a Product Designer and as an ordinary music enthusiast, on the areas where Apple Music falls short.
The Search
One of the most crucial functionalities in a music app is its search feature. It ranks among the top three activities users engage in within such an application. So why does Apple seem content to keep its desktop search functionality in the dark ages? Let’s delve into this issue…
Imagine we want to search for a fairly well-known rock band. Let’s use Weezer as an example. They’re a cool band.
Navigaton
Navigation in Apple Music was undeniably one of its most confusing aspects. Exceptional applications don’t require users to question their location within the interface; instead, they ensure seamless transitions and effortless retracing of steps. The aim should be to eliminate any confusion about how to navigate backward.
Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines for iOS delineate three types of navigation for applications, and it seems that Apple has incorporated these principles into macOS as well. Interestingly, Music adopts Flat Navigation.
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Hierarchical Navigation
Make one choice per screen until you reach a destination. To go to another destination, you must retrace your steps or start over from the beginning and make different choices.
Flat Navigation
Switch between multiple content categories. Music and App store use this navigation style.
Content-Driven Navigation
An app shouldn’t impose unnecessary time delays and make you wait. We’re aware that load times significantly affect drop-off rates on the web, and there’s no reason to handle native applications differently. It’s about minimizing the wait time between pages. It’s frustrating not knowing if your song will play when you click ‘Play.’ It’s confusing why Music can’t resume exactly where you left off when you quit the app. Unfortunately, the list goes on
Response Time
An app shouldn’t impose unnecessary time delays and make you wait. We’re aware that load times significantly affect drop-off rates on the web, and there’s no reason to handle native applications differently. It’s about minimizing the wait time between pages. It’s frustrating not knowing if your song will play when you click ‘Play.’ It’s confusing why Music can’t resume exactly where you left off when you quit the app. Unfortunately, the list goes on.
Conclusion
In 2001, Apple rapidly expanded its niche of personal computers, operating systems, and related software, which, combined with designated peripherals, became a disruptor in the music, television, and movie industries. With the launch of the iPhone in 2007, Apple further increased sales of digital music downloads. Over the following decade, Apple transitioned into the content-driven space and emerged as a dominant force, competing against major players like Spotify, Google LLC’s YouTube, Amazon.com Inc., and Pandora. Apple Music stands as the latest example of this evolution.
Response Time
An app shouldn’t impose unnecessary time delays and make you wait. We’re aware that load times significantly affect drop-off rates on the web, and there’s no reason to handle native applications differently. It’s about minimizing the wait time between pages. It’s frustrating not knowing if your song will play when you click ‘Play.’ It’s confusing why Music can’t resume exactly where you left off when you quit the app. Unfortunately, the list goes on
transitioned into content-driven space
Conclusion
