Apple Music is a subscription-based music and audio streaming service launched by Apple Inc. in June 2015, building on the legacy of iTunes, which had dominated digital music sales since 2003. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple Music offers access to a catalog of over 100 million songs, curated playlists, music videos, live radio stations including Apple Music 1, and exclusive artist content. The platform has grown to serve over 100 million subscribers worldwide, establishing itself as the second-largest music streaming service globally behind Spotify. Apple Music differentiates itself through deep integration with Apple's hardware ecosystem, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, and Apple TV, as well as seamless synchronization with users' personal iTunes libraries. The service was among the first major platforms to offer lossless audio and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos at no additional cost, appealing to audiophiles and music enthusiasts seeking premium sound quality. Apple Music features expertly curated playlists by editorial teams, algorithmic recommendations through personalized mixes, and real-time lyrics synced to songs. The platform supports Apple's broader services strategy alongside Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and iCloud+, often bundled through the Apple One subscription. Apple Music also includes the Apple Music Classical app, a dedicated experience for classical music listeners. The service pays among the highest per-stream royalties to artists in the streaming industry, positioning itself as an artist-friendly platform.
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