Apple Music and Google Play Music on Android: in pictures

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Apple Music vs Google Play Music

With this week's release of Apple Music on Android, you can now use Apple Music and Google Play Music on competing smartphone platforms. There are some compromises in each service when you are using the competing music service, but there are also some advantages.
On my daily train commute to and from Seattle I see about half the people on the train with earbuds plugged into their smartphones. At the office, most of the designers have headphones on as they focus on drawing development. Our IT department also restricts usage of the network for streaming services so many people use their smartphones for streaming various services.
A primary reason I prefer Apple Music, and am pleased to see it on Android, is the $14.99 family plan option. You cannot sign up for a family plan directly from Android, but you can login to a family plan account after setting it up on a Mac or iOS device. Google will eventually be launching a family plan, but as of now this is a major advantage for Apple.
CNET posted eight things you need to know about Apple Music on Android.

Published: November 12, 2015 -- 15:36 GMT (07:36 PST)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
Main menu in both apps

There is no voice control of Apple Music on Android, there is no support for music videos (coming soon), you can't use Apple Music to play music you have stored on your phone, and you can't sync and then play music on your Android Wear smartwatch.

Published: November 12, 2015 -- 15:36 GMT (07:36 PST)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
Library view

Published: November 12, 2015 -- 15:36 GMT (07:36 PST)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
Music playback options vary

Published: November 12, 2015 -- 15:36 GMT (07:36 PST)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
Manage your settings

Published: November 12, 2015 -- 15:36 GMT (07:36 PST)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
Beats 1 and Songza integration are unique features

Many people like the Beats 1 feature and that is present on Android as well. The rest of the application looks similar to what you see on iOS, which some hate and others tolerate.
Google purchased Songza and rolled that feature into Play Music. That is personally one of my favorite features that stands out from Apple Music.

Published: November 12, 2015 -- 15:36 GMT (07:36 PST)
Caption by: Matthew Miller

Smartphones serve as the music hub for millions of people and if you commute, work, and play with music then you may be pleased that you have another choice on Android.