Latest news with #AutoMix
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Apple Music users are loving the new AutoMix feature in iOS 26, but one big limitation is dividing opinion
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Apple Music's AutoMix feature has rolled out to iOS 26 public beta Despite going viral, AutoMix has the habit of cutting songs short Though AutoMix has had mostly positive reviews, a lot of users have noticed this habit Apple is gearing up for the launch of its huge iOS redesign, and now that iOS 26 public beta is live, we're one step closer to its full rollout, which is expected to arrive in September. One of the star features of iOS 26 is AutoMix in Apple Music, which has garnered a lot of attention. Apple Music's AutoMix function (which uses AI to mix between songs on the spot) was announced at WWDC and immediately went viral. It was a hit in developer beta, resulting in a wave of viral videos showcasing its clever beat-matching abilities, and is now even more accessible since rolling out to public beta. During its early roll-out stages, users have praised AutoMix for enhancing the Apple Music experience, adding that it could spark an even more competitive relationship between other music streaming platforms, most notably Spotify. But despite the positive reception, there's one common limitation that test users have picked up on. Apple Music's flagship DJ sacrifices song runtime There's no denying that AutoMix can do almost everything a DJ can during a live set, and it's a huge step up from the standard crossfade setting. However, its uniqueness has been shadowed by its song-shortening habits, which haven't gone unnoticed by Apple Music fans on Reddit and TikTok. Many users have spotted that when a song comes to an end and AutoMix starts doing its thing, it has the habit of starting the mixing process far too early, chopping the last 30 seconds off a song. In some cases, AutoMix will even sacrifice the beginning of the next song in the queue, starting playback 30 seconds into a track. One user shared a video on TikTok mixing two Taylor Swift songs, showing the first song ending with 25 seconds remaining and the second song starting 49 seconds in – completely skipping over the first verse. While this isn't the case for all AutoMix examples, it's been a common occurrence for a number of users, leading them to question whether AutoMix needs a few more touches here and there before its wider rollout. But as with any AI feature, it's not guaranteed to get it right every single time, but when it does, it sounds pretty good – just take a look at the video below, which shows AutoMix at its best without cutting the songs short. There is still some time left before iOS 26 is set to roll out to everyone, meaning that there's time for Apple to crack down on the minor issues that have surfaced with AutoMix. It has a lot of potential to outshine other streaming platforms, and though I'm mainly a Spotify user, I might stick with Apple Music beyond my free trial when AutoMix drops. You might also like How to download the iOS 26 public beta I've been using iOS 26 for a month – here are 3 things I love and 1 I don't iOS 26 public beta reveals Apple is reviving a controversial feature it was forced to abandon
Android Authority
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
I want Gemini to be my DJ in YouTube Music
Stephen Headrick / Android Authority Imagine having your very own DJ in your pocket, ready to mix your favorite songs at a moment's notice. No, not your dad's 3-5 second crossfade, but instead a completely customized mix that makes the two songs you're transitioning between meld together like they were designed that way by the artists themselves. That's the idea behind Apple Music's upcoming AI-powered AutoMix feature, which is coming with this fall's iOS 26 release. As a former Spotify user and now years-long YouTube Music user, this is the first time I've even batted an eye at one of Apple's few Android apps. I'm not really a big fan of the old-school cross-fade functionality, but this is different. Google is consistently adding Gemini-powered features across all of its verticals — including in the main YouTube app — but so far, we haven't seen much of this AI prowess in YouTube Music. AutoMix is a seemingly small Apple Music feature with big implications, and I have some ideas on how Google can bring its super-powered Gemini experience into its music app. What music streaming service do you use? 1 votes Spotify 0 % Apple Music 0 % YouTube Music 100 % Other (let me know in the comments) 0 % I don't use a music streaming service 0 % DJ Apple, spin that track! Apple first announced AutoMix back in June at this year's WWDC, its annual developer's conference. In its own words, this feature uses 'time stretching and beat matching to deliver continuous playback and an even more seamless listening experience.' Marketing jargon aside, there is a clear difference that you can hear with AutoMix enabled when compared to the standard cross-fade. Details on how the feature works are sparse, but shortly after the iOS 26 developer beta was released, videos of AutoMix in action quickly began circulating on all the major social media platforms. For me at least, I was intrigued the moment I heard it in action. Because AutoMix is not a database of pre-mixed songs and is instead powered by AI, the mixing experience can vary from user to user. Occasionally, the mixes are pretty underwhelming — remember, this is still just a beta software — but more often than not, it doesn't just work, it sounds magical. It adds an entirely new dimension to your music listening experience. I would note here that right now, AutoMix seems to work best when the two songs are from a similar genre or have a similar number of beats per minute. That said, I'd imagine this will only improve in the future. AutoMix isn't an entirely new concept. In fact, Spotify released their own take on this feature years ago under the exact same name. It, too, appears to use beat matching to determine the best way to transition between songs, but from examples I've seen and user commentary I've read, Apple's take appears to be a more advanced version. Perhaps advancements in AI also allow for an overall better mixing experience. YouTube Music needs to join the party I've been a YouTube Music convert for years now, and all in all, I've been very happy with the service. First and foremost, it's included with YouTube Premium, which is one reason I believe Google's subscription is one of the most high-value subscriptions out there. And to Google's credit, YouTube Music has frequently improved its service, adding new features and making the user interface more appealing and user-friendly. Google has added Gemini-powered capabilities to just about every corner of its software universe. From YouTube to Google Workspace to Android devices and most everything between, you will likely find some sort of Gemini-enabled feature. And it's not like we haven't seen Google dabble in the world of music, either. Stephen Headrick / Android Authority Google is adding Gemini everywhere. Is YouTube Music next? Google needs to join the personal DJ party, and this is just the beginning of what they could do with the power of Gemini. AutoMix honestly seems like a small addition as I write about it, but I can't emphasize enough how different it feels to listen to music with this mixing enabled. It makes for such a satisfying listening experience, and I am more than confident in some form of Gemini powering Google's version of this. Let's take this a little further than this relatively small AutoMix feature. How else could Gemini enhance my music streaming experience? Look no further than Spotify DJ, a feature that's already been around for a few years in Spotify land. Essentially, Spotify is using AI to generate playlists according to what you already listen to, and it has helped my colleague discover a lot more new music than he used to. Imagine Google's take on this: a Gemini Live-like DJ that you can talk back and forth with and really fine-tune your taste to find the most relevant music possible. Stephen Headrick / Android Authority YouTube Music already has playlists created by AI, based on your text input. Time to take it to the next level with a Gemini Live-like experience. Here's the thing: Google is already doing most of the heavy lifting that this type of feature would require. It already has a feature in the Google Discover feed called Daily Listen, where two AI-powered 'podcast hosts' serve up a daily short-form podcast with news and information relevant to your interests. And it works incredibly well. Creepy well, if you ask me. And Google already generates playlists based on text input. Gemini could just connect these dots together more efficiently. Since this is a Gemini Live-like experience, why not just hum something into your mic and have DJ Gemini generate a playlist of songs solely based on the vibes of whatever you're humming. That sounds both incredible and incredibly doable with the power of Gemini. I feel like we're only scratching the surface here, and yet, as I already stated, much of this is already being done by Google elsewhere in its services. Now, the YouTube Music team just needs to package this all up for its platform. Is Apple's DJ good enough to make me ditch YouTube Music? Switching music services isn't exactly fun. The app's algorithms take time to learn your preferences, and YouTube Music has years of my listening data now, so it has gotten pretty good at suggesting the right music (and podcasts…yes, I use this app for podcasts, too) at the right time. Is Apple's AutoMix feature enough to convince me to switch? Only time will tell, especially because we don't yet have clarity on whether or not this will be an iPhone-only feature, or if it will eventually make its way over to our green bubble world. Since it's an AI-powered feature, Apple may decide AutoMix can only work on Apple devices and Apple's chips; I'm not saying it's not possible for them to bring it to Android, I just wonder whether Apple will use on-device AI as a reason to keep AutoMix exclusive to its devices. That said, I tested the feature out on an iPhone 14 Pro, which doesn't have access to Apple Intelligence, so I would guess that they'll bring it to their Android app at some point, and maybe even as soon as this fall when AutoMix officially launches. Apple Music on iOS 26 beta, with AutoMix enabled Apple Music on Android 16 beta, with no AutoMix option in sight For now, I'm sticking with YouTube Music. I'm really confident in Gemini at this point, and it's only getting better. Bringing more AI into YouTube Music is the logical next step for the evolution of the platform. I remember when Google first launched Gemini — remember Bard? — I was really unsure what to make of Google's AI. The transition from Google Assistant was really rocky at first, too. But Gemini has gotten really good, and more importantly, the way it has been integrated into Google's services has become extremely powerful. I use it a lot throughout my day. I think it's only a matter of time before we see an AutoMix-like feature introduced in YouTube Music, most likely alongside other more advanced Gemini-based features. Follow
Tom's Guide
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
AutoMix gets the hype in iOS 26's Music app, but there's another change that's even better
The built-in Music app doesn't get lost in the shuffle in Apple's iOS 26 update. Indeed, amid the Liquid Glass overhaul to the iPhone's interface — including the look of the Music app — a trio of new features will appear aimed at getting more out of your favorite tunes. One of the biggest additions — an AutoMix feature to seamlessly transition between songs — is aimed at Apple Music subscribers, while a translation tool for song lyrics will be limited initially to select songs in a handful of languages. It's the third change — the ability to pin your favorite artists, songs, albums and playlists to the top of your Music Library — that figures to benefit the most people in iOS 26 Music. In fact, after spending some time with the Music app in the iOS 26 developer beta to try out AutoMix, it's the pinning feature that I wound up appreciating the most. Here's what to expect from both of those new additions, and some more information about translated lyrics, should you decide to try out iOS 26 for yourself once the public beta arrives this month. To experience iOS 26's AutoMix feature in the Music app, you need to first take care of two items of business. Number one, make sure you're an Apple Music subscriber, as AutoMix is limited to Apple's music subscription service. After that, you'll need to turn on the feature in the Music app's Settings. Launch the Settings app, tap on Apps and then pick Music from the list of apps installed on your phone. From there, select Song Transitions from the options under the Audio heading. On the subsequent screen, toggle on the Song Transitions button and select AutoMix as the Transition Style. (If you don't subscribe to Apple Music, the AutoMix option will appear grayed out.) I tried playing around with AutoMix using songs from my own library, first with a playlist I created specifically to test out transitions from one song to the next, then by just going into my library and hitting shuffle to randomly play songs. But I didn't notice any slick transitions between each song — just the usual beats as one track gave way to the next. It was then that I figured out AutoMix's magic is limited to Apple Music songs only, something Apple doesn't spell out on its iOS 26 preview page. No matter: I tapped on an Apple-curated playlist of '70s rock and immediately noticed the impact of AutoMix. As Boston's "More Than a Feeling" began to fade to a close, the opening strains of "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin could be heard. Similarly, the opening guitar of "Hotel California" started playing over the fade out from "Born to Run." Another nice touch that happens with AutoMix enabled is a slow fade between album art. During the aforementioned Boston-to-Zeppelin transition, the "Boston" album cover slowly gave way to the "Led Zeppelin IV" artwork on my iPhone 15 Pro screen. This is probably not the sort of thing that convinces people who haven't subscribed to Apple Music to part with their $10.99/month subscription fee, but for those who've signed on, it's a nice addition via iOS 26. Hopefully, it eventually extends to other tracks like songs that you've bought from Apple's music store. iOS 26 give you more choice of what appears at the top of the Library tab in the Music app, thanks to a new pinning feature. Say you've got a favorite song — just tap and hold on the title. A pop-up menu will appear with various options like Add to a Playlist, Play Next and more. The iOS 26 addition you're interested in is Pin Song. When you tab that your song will appear at the top of the Library screen, above the menu for Playlists, Artists, Albums, Songs and Downloaded. Pinning works with more than just songs. I've used it to adorn the top of my Library with albums, artists and playlists I want quick access to. And that's the advantage of pinning — it save you taps when it's time to find your absolute favorite music. Let's say you've got a playlist of workout tunes you like to fire up at the start of a run — pin that playlist and it will be waiting for you at the top of the Library tab. Are pins a revolutionary new change to the way the Music app works? Not at all. But it's one of those quality-of-life improvements you come to appreciate the more you make use of it. The other advertised addition coming to Apple Music is translations for lyrics, a feature that doesn't appear to be live just yet. I played a version of "Las Golondrinas" via Apple Music, and while the lyrics appeared in Spanish as you'd expect, there was no Spanish-to-English translation, which is one of the supported languages Apple will offer. In case you're interested, other supported languages for translated include English to Chinese, English to Japanese, Korean to Chinese, Korean to English and Korean to Japanese. The translation feature seems largely geared toward Apple Music Sing, the karaoke mode that's available to Apple Music subscribers. Once translations are available, you'll have the ability to sing along in your native language, assuming the song you've picked is one of the selected ones to have translated lyrics. AutoMix certainly delivers what it promises in the current version of Apple's iOS 26 beta, though the fact that it's only available via an Apple Music subscription will limit its appeal. Pinned music, on the other hand, is something everyone can take advantage of, and it feels very consistent with Apple's push toward making its iPhone software more reflective of your tastes.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sack The DJ: Apple launches its new feature that can mix tracks using AI
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Apple has introduced a new feature to its iOS26 operating system that blends and mixes tracks together using AI. It's called AutoMix and allows users to create 'unique transitions' between tracks, in the same manner of the DJ. Of course, Spotify users have been able to crossfade between songs for some time. What's different with this new Apple feature is that it takes it a step further to allow "time stretching and beat matching to deliver continuous playback and an even more seamless listening experience." There are other upgrades too. Also added is Lyrics Translation, which lets users understand the meaning of their favourite songs, and Lyrics Pronunciation, which enables users to sing along when lyrics are in another language. So if you end up – for some reason - at a K Pop karaoke session, you'll no longer be scratching your head at how you're supposed to render the songs. According to Apple, the AI machine learning apparently ensures 'the emotion, cultural context, and lyrical intent are fully preserved.' Meanwhile there's Sing, which allows users to convert the iPhone into a handheld microphone. Used in tandem with for Apple TV, it amplifies your voice you could can belt out your favourite songs with friends. With real-time lyrics and visual effects that light up the screen, Sing reaches a 'new level of fun' according to the people at Apple.
Phone Arena
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Phone Arena
The best iOS 26 update? It might just be hiding in this one app
About a year ago, I decided to move away from Spotify — after years of enjoying the platform — and give Apple Music a try. But if you're like me and have been using Apple Music for a while, you've probably built up a list of quiet annoyances. Meanwhile, Spotify and YouTube Music kept mixing things up (pun intended) with fresh features and a more personalized enjoying Apple Music's higher-quality audio and sleek visuals, it often felt like Apple had left the music service behind. But with iOS 26, that finally seems to be music app is getting its most meaningful update in years. It's not just about catching up though, it's about making listening feel more personal, more fluid, and more fun, and I am all here for it!At first glance, features like pinning your favorite playlists, albums, or artists to the top of your Library tab might seem minor. But the impact is immediate. You can now quickly return to the music you actually listen to every day without having to scroll, search, or rely on Recently Played (as I have until now). One step closer to making the Apple Music UI more intuitive. | Image credit — Apple I can already tell I'll be spending more time in the Library tab. For example, I have three running playlists, which I will now be able to keep front and center by pinning them. I also found it frustrating when I would lose or forget about a new album or artist that I found, but now this feature finally gives me control over my collection in a way Apple Music never really allowed before. Maybe I will finally learn some Spanish thanks to this feature... | Image credit — Apple Then there's lyrics translation and pronunciation. I've always loved listening to music in different languages — even when I have no idea what's being said. That's part of the magic for me. But now, with real-time translation, I can dig deeper when a song really grabs me. That said, I don't always want to know the meaning. Sometimes I find it better to leave things open-ended, the same way I would admire a painting and let my imagination fill in the blanks. Time to learn some lyrics. | Image credit — Apple As for the pronunciation feature — I'm absolutely using that! I've never been great at remembering lyrics, and this feels like the perfect cheat code. It reminds me of the old anime intros I grew up with, where the on-screen lyrics made it easy to sing along, even if I didn't know the language. Now I get to bring that same feeling to the music I love today, and maybe remember the words this time. I can't wait to see how my Discovery Station will sound with AutoMix! | Image credit — Apple My switch from Spotify to Apple Music wasn't driven by any single killer feature — at the time, it was more about circumstance and curiosity. A few friends had set up a family account on Apple Music, which made the subscription more affordable. And honestly, after years of using Spotify, I just wanted a change of and Spotify's 'Go to Radio' recommendations had become painfully off. I'd play one song I liked, hit Radio, and end up in a totally unrelated genre rabbit hole that didn't reflect my tastes at all. The Spotify DJ was still solid, but outside of that, the magic had faded a bit. So I gave Apple Music a shot, and iOS 26 's AutoMix is the first feature that's truly made me feel like I didn't downgrade. This almost makes up for the lack of song continuation between my Mac and iPhone (Apple, what the hell?!?!). AutoMix uses Apple Intelligence to transition between songs like a real DJ, matching beats and stretching tempo to keep the flow going. It's not just a basic cross-fade like Spotify's. The transitions sounded organic, even elegant. DJ's have long been using such a feature on their mixers, although it's somewhat frowned upon from what I understand — but for personal enjoyment? Oh yeah, sign me up! This isn't something I knew I needed. But now that I know it's coming, it has me excited about using Apple Music. I enjoyed using the song cover art as a temporary wallpaper, so this only makes things cooler. | Image credit — Apple Another subtle eye candy update is the full-screen animated album art on the lock screen. A single tap expands the current track's artwork, turning your iPhone into a living a feature that was already available in the Apple Music app itself, but I am happy that it will now be visible on my lock screen too. Undoubtedly a small touch, but it does tie into Apple's broader Liquid Glass design, which makes the entire interface feel more layered and immersive. But I'm glad that it's happening now. | Image credit — Apple A lot of these features feel like they're arriving late. Pinning music is such a basic feature that it feels crazy we didn't have it until now. Real-time lyric translations is also pretty essential for streaming music. Even AutoMix, while slick, enters a space Spotify and YouTube Music have already fair to ask why Apple Music, a flagship service in one of the world's largest ecosystems, didn't get these tools we didn't have to wait until 2025 to get these features, but Apple is doing its best to draw everyone's attention away from the fact that it is going through a tough spot right now. The company is being heavily criticized for lagging behind the competition, especially after overpromising and underdelivering on AI last year (also known as lying).Still, better late than never, especially when the result is this polished. It's good to see Apple Music finally hit its stride. Let's just hope it doesn't take another three years to get smart shuffle, which wasn't one of the new additions the company revealed at WWDC.
