Apple Music has made the decision to discontinue its Siri-only voice plan for users, which was introduced just two years ago.
This plan, initially unveiled in October 2021, allowed individuals to exclusively access Apple Music using voice commands through Siri. However, the program did not receive significant engagement, potentially due to the additional $5 (approximately ₹413) monthly fee, leading to its lack of popularity.
To notify existing subscribers, Apple has established a support page detailing the changes and providing instructions on how to continue using Apple Music post-November.
Current subscribers enrolled in the voice plan will be able to utilize it until their subscription period concludes. Afterward, they will be required to transition to standard Apple Music plans and pay the respective fees.
Apple intends to concentrate on implementing new features in Apple Music, such as spatial audio, karaoke with lyrics, and music discovery, prompting the discontinuation of the Siri-only voice plan. The company plans to integrate Siri as an integral part of all Apple Music plans moving forward and pledges to enhance the overall user experience in the future.
The Siri-only voice plan permitted users to easily navigate Apple Music by issuing voice commands for music, playlists, and albums. However, the absence of popular features like lossless audio quality and offline listening support, combined with the $5 monthly charge, likely contributed to its underperformance.
It’s important to note that the voice plan was available only in specific markets, such as the United States, with users in India never having the opportunity to access it.
Despite the discontinuation of the Siri-only voice plan, Apple remains in a strong position, primarily driven by substantial iPhone sales, and the Indian market is increasingly contributing to the company’s overall growth, particularly due to the robust demand for older iPhone models.
