Latest news with #iCloud
Cosmopolitan
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Apple Music vs Spotify—The Best Music Streaming Service 2025
Asking your loved ones whether they're Team Apple Music or Team Spotify is tricky territory. It can be just as heated of a debate as politics on family holidays, but both music streaming platforms have their pros and cons. I love curating my monthly playlist as much as the next person, and I've been an avid Spotify user since high school. But I will admit that after dating someone who is strictly an Apple Music user, I can see its advantages and why some may 'prefer it to an app with a black and green colorway,' as assistant shopping editor Jasmine Hyman would hilariously describe it. If you're a music lover on the fence about which streaming platform to pledge allegiance to, I'm here to help. Whether you are thinking about making a switch or want to confirm you're getting the best for your $$, I've laid out everything you need to know about Apple Music vs. Spotify, along with all the pros and cons of each, after personally testing both platforms (and I am 100 percent confident in my choice of which I'll be keeping downloaded on my phone). Let's dive in, shall we? A quick snapshot of Apple Music... A quick snapshot of Spotify... I went in with the mindset that cost would be a big factor in determining which music platform was better for me. Unfortunately (but also fortunately), both Spotify and Apple Music are pretty similar in price. Unlike Spotify, Apple Music does not offer a free version of its service. Each of its monthly plans offers ad-free listening, Spatial Audio, lossless audio, exclusive artist interviews, access to live concerts, and the ability to listen offline. Apple Music monthly plans start at $5.99/month for students with the added perk of one month free and access to Apple TV+. An individual plan is $10.99/month, while a family plan for up to six accounts is $16.99/month. No matter the plan a user chooses, new subscribers get three months of Apple Music free. Users can also opt for the Apple One Bundle, which gets you Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ all for an individual plan starting at just $19.95/month, which is a better price than if you were to subscribe to all separately. While Spotify does have a free listening option, Spotify Premium offers ad-free listening, offline listening, and the ability to play songs in any order. Spotify monthly plans start at $5.99/month for students. Spotify Premium for students also includes six months free and access to Hulu. Similarly, the individual Premium plan offers one month free but costs $11.99/month. The other monthly plans include a duo Premium plan consisting of two Spotify accounts at $16.99/month and a family Premium plan for up to six accounts at $19.99/month. THE BOTTOM LINE: Both music streaming platforms offer monthly plans at similar prices, but Spotify is a great choice for those who want to listen to music for free (even if that means hearing a few ads every few minutes). However, if you're willing to pay, the Apple One bundle provides a greater value for Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Arcade all in one if you want to go beyond just music streaming. There's a long-winded debate about whether Apple Music or Spotify has a better look, and let's just say it's all about preference. When it comes to Spotify, users like Cosmo beauty editor Beth Gillette admit, 'I love the interface. My mom uses Apple Music, and I find it difficult to navigate in comparison whenever I'm trying to play music.' I found that the Spotify interface shows more options without having to scroll. On the homepage, you have your last listened-to audios and suggested playlists to jump back into. A downside to Spotify's interface, though, is that it changes more often than users would like. The platform does a lot of A/B testing with its interface, which can lead to different and less cohesive user experiences. On the other hand, there are people like my fellow Cosmo editor Jasmine Hyman who feels 'like Apple Music is so much more organized and clean as an app overall.' I feel that the Apple Music platform prioritizes visuals over everything else, especially on the homepage. Upon opening the app, your screen is mostly taken up by large graphics that cause you to scroll to see more of your listening options. It also proved difficult for me to get the hang of Apple Music's queuing. If you play an album but choose not to listen to it all the way through, the remaining songs will stay in your queue unless you manually clear them. THE BOTTOM LINE: It all comes down to personal preference regarding which platform has the best interface. I personally prefer Spotify's interface where I can have all of my current and most recent listening displayed front and center. When asking colleagues whether they're #TeamSpotify or #TeamAppleMusic, one of the major pros to being the latter was the impressive sound quality. Apple Music users can enjoy 'Spatial Audio,' which is an improved version of surround sound that places sounds in different locations, so it feels like you're immersed in the music. No need for any fancy equipment—headphones will do just fine. The platform also boasts lossless audio, which is basically just a fancy way of saying that the music you hear is uncompromised and sounds exactly how it was intended to. It's a similar experience to listening to a CD. Spotify doesn't have 'Spatial Audio' or claim to offer lossless audio like Apple Music, but it's slowly catching up. Premium users can manually set their audio quality to 320kbit/s, which is supposedly similar to lossless audio for an untrained ear. To compete with Apple Music's sound quality, Spotify plans to introduce 'Spotify HiFi,' which will be v similar to Apple's lossless audio format. The timeline for this is unknown though. THE BOTTOM LINE: Apple Music's sound quality is much more advanced and appeals more to the music aficionado thanks to enhanced features such as 'Spatial Audio' and lossless audio. But, hey, if you are anything like me and just love to blast music regardless of the quality, both platforms will do the trick. Apple Music claims to have over 100 million songs and says it has the largest collection of streaming music. However, despite a very large music catalog, if you want to switch from your playlist to your favorite podcast, you have to go to a separate Apple Podcasts app. The Apple Music platform grants access strictly to music, radio stations, and exclusive artist interviews. If you like your music, podcasts, AND audiobooks all in one place, Spotify is your best bet. Unlike Apple Music, the platform allows access to all of these without having to leave the app. Consider it a one-stop shop for all your listening needs. Similarly to Apple Music, as of this year, Spotify reports that it has more than 100 million songs, 6 million podcast titles, and about 350,000 audiobooks available on the platform. Spotify Premium subscribers receive 15 hours of free (!!) audiobook listening per month, which means you don't have to buy the audiobooks separately. THE BOTTOM LINE: With a similar-sized music catalog, Spotify reigns supreme solely due to its offering of podcasts and audiobooks all within the same platform. You get more entertainment all in one place without having to switch between different apps. Spotify is well-known for being able to connect with your friends' listening. From the ability to follow your friends' accounts and playlists to being able to blend playlists with other users (and even your favorite fictional characters), Spotify makes it easy to share your music taste with others. 'Sorry to Apple Music, but when it comes to making listening fun, Spotify is at the forefront of it all. From Spotify First to Wrapped, they make listening to music an event,' says Cosmo entertainment editor Tamara Fuentes. Spotify has also excelled at these once-a-year events where users excitingly take to social media to share their yearly music habits. Trust, there's a v good chance you've seen some Spotify Wrapped content on Instagram stories more times than you'd like to count. Heck, even I'm guilty of it! Apple Music similarly lets you follow your friends to see their listening habits. The Apple platform also rolled out collaborative playlists that let you invite users to add, remove, reorder, and even react to songs. While Spotify Wrapped seems to be more popular, Apple Music has a similar year-in-review feature called Apple Music Replay. It hasn't really gained as much attraction as Spotify's Wrapped, but, hey, it still offers a fun way to share your music habits. THE BOTTOM LINE: Spotify definitely offers more ways to connect and share your music socially. The platform is better at promoting and encouraging users to share and collaborate not only on the app but through social media. If you don't really care about social features and just want to jam out to your playlists, then Apple Music will do the trick. One thing that I've noticed about my Spotify algorithm is that it truly gets me. The platform's taste profile is consistent in helping users discover new music and artists through fresh, weekly auto-generated playlists. A new feature that Spotify rolled out to expand its music discovery capabilities is the AI DJ. I've found it to be a great feature when I'm in the mood to hear something new but don't know where to start. Users can also enjoy curated 'Time Capsule' playlists that resurface all of your fave songs you forgot you even loved and a very fun 'Daylist' feature that gives you new music mixes throughout the day. Spotify also provides music lovers with different decade, genre, and mood mixes based on previous listening. Similarly to Spotify, Apple Music creates rewind, discover, new music, and mood playlists for users. A strong feature for discovering new music on the platform is Apple Music Radio. It has three main stations, all free even if you aren't a subscriber, and live broadcast stations if you're into that. If you are a subscriber, you have access to on-demand stations and shows, such as the popular Zane Lowe Show. Similar to Spotify's AI DJ, there's a Beats1 Radio station hosted and curated by actual real-life DJs where you can listen to new music in real time. THE BOTTOM LINE: I think Spotify's algorithm is better at predicting what I want to hear while also bringing me back to throwbacks I loved in the past. In my opinion, Spotify's taste profile is more accurate and great at bringing new music (that I actually like!) to my attention. On the other hand, Apple Music is a great resource for those who prefer radio. Well, I'll be a Spotify gal until the end of time, but after taking a trip down Apple Music Lane, I can see the appeal, especially with people who use it for the nostalgia factor like senior commerce editor Heath Owens, 'The interface reminds me of iTunes, so it feels like MY music saved to MY library on MY devices. There's just a subconscious feeling of ownership, especially because I'm an album person! So I don't really want all of Spotify's suggestions. I feel like Apple Music makes it easier to curate and maintain my own library vs. being pushed what Spotify wants me to listen to.' Overall, both platforms have pros and cons. Spotify excels in music discovery and curating an algorithm that'll have you listening all day with minimal skips. It's also a great choice for listeners who want to do just that: listen. Having a free version that doesn't require a subscription (or credit card) is what first drew me to the platform, and even after a free Premium trial, I still don't care to pay to listen to music. Apple Music, on the other hand, excels with its music quality. Thanks to spatial audio and lossless listening, music lovers can not just listen but also be immersed in the music. While there's no free version of the platform, the Apple One Bundle I mentioned earlier is a great deal for iOS users who want to take advantage of other Apple apps for one low price. Chaise Sanders is an editor with over four years of experience writing and reviewing products. She is an authority in the tech, entertainment, and lifestyle categories but has a special place in her heart for all things music.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Woman who had mobile phone stolen issues important security advice to others
Grania Nesbitt recalled the distressing situation in which her phone was stolen giving a thief access to her bank details and photos of her children, and now she's explained how some of her stress could have been avoided A woman who suffered the misfortune of having her mobile phone stolen has issued advice to others, admitting there are a number of security measures she wished she had been aware of prior to the incident unfolding last week. Grania Nesbitt recalled the mobile phone theft on TikTok, where she explained in a video what people can do to "make your life easier" should it happen to them too. "I want to share what I have learned because I didn't know a few of these points and if I had it would have made my life a lot easier," she began. According to Grania, there are a number of things you should "do today" in case your mobile phone is ever lost or stolen - beginning with backing everything up and two-factor authentication is employed. WARNING – explicit language in TikTok video below, viewer discretion advised Grania continued: "Make sure you know your passwords for everything and you have the FindMy app switched on and you know the login details for your iCloud account." She continued, pointing out that once you realise your phone is missing, the first thing you should do is try and log into the FindMy app as quickly as possible. "If you're with someone you trust, use their phone to do it," Grania advised, speaking from experience. Unfortunately for her, however, the phone's location hadn't updated meaning she could only see where it was a few hours prior. "The thief had turned my phone off," Grania continued. "So if you don't get there quick enough, you can't set it into 'lost mode', which gives you so much more protection." Grania added that although most phones require a pin to unlock them, a shop would be more willing to unknowingly assist thieves if there is no sign of the device being in lost mode. "When it's in lost mode they can tell it's been stolen," she said, Because she was too late, Grania was left cursing the fact that she runs two businesses via her phone, which only added to her stress. "I'm a solo mum of two girls trying to run my businesses and that phone had everything I needed on it - all my clients' contacts, access to my website, emails, WhatsApp and TikTok - I literally couldn't do anything," she explained. The second important thing to be aware of, which Grania confessed she wasn't, also concerns the FindMy app. "When you log in, there are two options," she explained. "There's 'erase' and 'remove' and I think remove is at the top so you'd think as it's in that order, you would click that first." However, as Grania discovered to her peril, this only complicated matters. "What I didn't realise is when you click remove, it takes off your activation lock so it removes iCloud, but it also takes off the lock and therefore if you aren't in lost mode, which gave them complete access to my phone," she detailed further. Now unable to select the erase option, Grania said she raced to her nearest Three [her network provider] store who provided her with a new sim card. "To erase, you need a code sent to your phone, which I didn't have," she explained. "I had a three-hour period where I couldn't so anything - and that is tehe scariest thing when your phone contains pictures of your kids and all of your bank details." However, the replacement sim card enabled her to receive a code and therefore erase everything. By this point, a new location of the phone was showing a particular address, which she has since reported to the police - though it later moved to a mobile phone shop, prompting Grania to believe it will be sold for parts. Closing, she advised others to seek insurance of their device - something she had failed to do. "I learned the hardest way by not having it," she said. Writing in response, one TikTok user provided an additional tip, stating: "Turn off the ability to access the pull down menu when your phone is unlocked. This might also help in some cases as it can't have data turned off or be put into airplane mode." To which a grateful Grania replied: "Thank you for this! I didn't know this either."
Forbes
10 hours ago
- Forbes
The Latest Version Of MacPaw's CleanMyMac Can Now Clean Up Cloud Storage Accounts
Say goodbye to manually cleaning up cloud storage with the latest update to MacPaw's CleanMyMac. The ... More Plus tier of the popular Mac utility software can now clean up cloud storage accounts including iCloud, Google Drive, and OneDrive. Ukrainian software developer MacPaw has been developing utilities for Mac and iOS users for some years now. Today sees the launch of a new feature for MacPaw's CleanMyMac utility that expands the software's capability beyond simply cleaning up local devices. Now CleanMyMac can take care of files stored in the cloud. Cloud Cleanup is a new feature available in CleanMyMac that gives users complete control and secure access over connected cloud accounts, including iCloud, Google Drive, and OneDrive. This new feature is the latest part of MacPaw's popular utility that has been helping Mac users track down and remove unnecessary files clogging up their hard drive or SSD. With CleanMyMac, space can be freed up, sync times improved and storage costs reduced. Users can also dive deeper into each cloud account using two views. The first is a scrollable list ... More that automatically surfaces old and unused files. The second is a visual map that clusters files and folders by size to make them easier to review and delete. 'Managing cloud storage can be confusing and costly, especially when unused files just sit there, piling up without users even realizing it. When storage limits are reached, it can slow down syncing and backups, impacting overall performance without users realizing the cause,' says Oleksandr Kosovan, CEO and founder of MacPaw. 'Our millions of users, who have long trusted CleanMyMac to keep their devices clean and running, have been asking for this kind of support. With Cloud Cleanup, we're giving them a smart, simple way to take control of their storage across many services, all in one place.' Intuitive Cloud Management Managing cloud storage can often involve jumping between different services and platforms, manually sorting files by size or date, before individually deleting unwanted files. Cloud Cleanup is built on the same principles as CleanMyMac. You can now unsync cloud storage accounts with Cloud Cleanup, the latest feature available with the ... More Plus tier of CleanMyMac. Working entirely on-device without saving or accessing any files stored in the cloud, users are shown a clean, tile-based dashboard with key insights for each connected cloud storage account. Information includes how much space is being used and the percentage of a user's files that are exclusively stored in the cloud. Users can also dive deeper into each cloud account using two views. The first is a scrollable list that automatically surfaces old and unused files. The second is a visual map that clusters files and folders by size to make them easier to review and delete. Cloud Cleanup provides two core tools for cleaning up cloud storage accounts. The first method is called Remove. This helps users free up space in their cloud accounts by identifying and then removing any unnecessary files. The new Cloud Cleanup feature in the latest version of CleanMyMac should make organising cloud ... More storage much easier. Unsync is a feature that desynchronizes and removes local copies of files stored in the cloud, letting users reclaim storage on their Mac. Smart alerts notify the user when action is needed, such as when unused files are detected or the user is reaching the limit of their storage space. Seamless Integration And Compatibility Cloud Cleanup works with leading cloud storage platforms like Google Drive and OneDrive through their desktop apps when users are signed into the connected accounts. It also works with iCloud when the user is signed into their Apple account. This multi-provider approach to managing cloud storage means CleanMyMac can now offer compatibility with popular cloud services. MacPaw also says it plans to add even more cloud storage services and platforms in the future. CleanMyMac will be available in Basic and Plus plans from July 29, 2025. Cloud Cleanup will only be available as part of the Plus tier. The Plus Plan is $65.40/year or $195.95 one-time. The Basic Plan is $40.20/year or $119.95 one-time.
Geeky Gadgets
12 hours ago
- Geeky Gadgets
How to Factory Reset Apple Devices: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch
When selling, gifting, or recycling your Apple devices, securely erasing all data is a critical step to protect your personal information. This process involves backing up your data, resetting the device, and managing associated accounts like Apple ID and iCloud. Following the correct steps ensures your personal information remains safe while preparing the device for its next user. The video below from AppleDsign gives us more details on how to erase your data on a r range of Apple devices. Watch this video on YouTube. Why Backing Up Your Data Is Crucial Before erasing your device, creating a backup is an essential precaution. Backing up ensures you retain access to important files, photos, and settings, even after resetting the device. Apple provides two primary backup options: iCloud Backup: This option automatically saves your data to the cloud, allowing for easy restoration on a new or existing device. It's a convenient choice for users who prefer wireless backups. This option automatically saves your data to the cloud, allowing for easy restoration on a new or existing device. It's a convenient choice for users who prefer wireless backups. Local Backup: For those who prefer offline storage, you can use Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (on Windows or older macOS versions) to create a backup directly on your computer. Without a backup, all data on the device will be permanently lost after the reset. Making sure your data is safely stored before proceeding is a vital step in the process. Steps to Erase Data on iPhone and iPad The process for securely erasing data on an iPhone or iPad is straightforward and similar for both devices. Follow these steps to reset your device to factory settings: Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Erase All Content and Settings . . Enter your device passcode and Apple ID password when prompted to confirm the action. Once the process is complete, the device will restart and display the 'Hello' or 'Welcome' screen, indicating it is ready for setup. It's important to note that this process removes all local data but does not delete information stored in iCloud. To ensure a complete reset, verify that your iCloud account is properly managed before proceeding. How to Erase Data on Mac Erasing data on a Mac involves a slightly different approach, depending on the macOS version installed. For devices running macOS Monterey or later, Apple has streamlined the process: Ensure your Mac supports the reset feature available in newer macOS versions. Go to System Settings > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings . . Enter your Mac password and Apple ID credentials to confirm the reset. After the process completes, the Mac will restart, prompting you to pair Bluetooth devices and set it up as new. This method removes all personal data while keeping the operating system intact, making it ready for a new user without compromising security. How to Erase Data on Apple Watch Erasing an Apple Watch can be done directly on the device or through the paired iPhone, depending on your intentions: Direct Reset: On the watch, navigate to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings . This method retains the activation lock, making sure the watch remains paired to your iPhone. On the watch, navigate to . This method retains the activation lock, making sure the watch remains paired to your iPhone. Unpairing for Resale: Use the Watch app on your iPhone. Go to My Watch > All Watches > Unpair Apple Watch . Enter your Apple ID password to unpair and erase the device completely. Unpairing the Apple Watch removes the activation lock, making it ready for a new user while making sure your personal data is fully erased. Managing Apple ID and iCloud When resetting any Apple device, your Apple ID password is required to confirm the action. This security measure prevents unauthorized access and ensures your data remains protected. It's important to understand that erasing a device does not delete data stored in iCloud. To manage or delete iCloud data, log in to your account via a browser or another device. Additionally, unlinking the device from your Apple ID is a crucial step to ensure the new owner can set it up without issues. Preparing Devices for Resale, Gifting, or Recycling After securely erasing your device, there are a few additional steps to prepare it for its next owner: Remove from Apple ID: Use the Find My app or to unlink the device from your account. This step ensures the new user can activate the device without encountering activation lock issues. Use the app or to unlink the device from your account. This step ensures the new user can activate the device without encountering activation lock issues. Include Accessories: If possible, provide necessary items like chargers, cables, or original packaging. This enhances the value and usability of the device for the recipient. If possible, provide necessary items like chargers, cables, or original packaging. This enhances the value and usability of the device for the recipient. Clean the Device: Wipe down the device to remove fingerprints, dust, or smudges. A clean device improves its presentation and makes a positive impression on the new user. Taking these steps ensures a smooth transition for the next owner while safeguarding your personal information. By following these guidelines, you can securely erase all data from your Apple devices, protect your personal information, and prepare the device for its next user. Whether you're selling, gifting, or recycling, these steps ensure a seamless and secure process for everyone involved. Explore further guides and articles from our vast library that you may find relevant to your interests in Erase Data on iPhone. Source & Image Credit: AppleDsign Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Mint
12 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
The driver of Apple's exploding valuation is under threat. See what's at stake.
Apple sold the same number of iPhones in 2024 as it did in 2015, according to IDC. But Apple stock has jumped ninefold in that time. One reason for the continued run in the shares has been the various services Apple sells to people living their digital lives in its ecosystem. iCloud storage and other subscriptions, paid apps and app advertising, as well as payments related to web search, as a group, have quintupled since 2015, while device revenue has grown less than 40%. And those services generate significantly higher gross profit margins: north of 70%, estimates Bank of America, compared with roughly 30% to 40% for hardware sales. That means the services business has a greater impact on Apple's profit than on its revenue. Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan credits Apple's choice to break out the rapidly growing, highly profitable services segment as a reason investors started paying a bigger earnings multiple for Apple shares. Yet after a big boost during the pandemic, growth of services has moderated, and two clouds are visible on the horizon that could reduce or even eliminate key parts of the business. A primary component of Apple's services business is the fees Apple collects on sales in its App Store, which drove almost a third of the total services revenue in the fiscal year that ended in September, according to Bank of America estimates. Some developers say the fees are usurious and have appealed to regulators or sued Apple to force changes. A California judge ruled that Apple must allow app developers to sell their iPhone services from their own websites. In that scenario, she said, Apple can't collect any fee at all. In a worst-case scenario, Bank of America estimates that Apple could lose 10% of its net profit. But that assumes all large developers shift all of their app purchases outside the App Store, which is very unlikely, and Apple is appealing the ruling in the U.S. In the European Union, a law called the Digital Markets Act requires similar changes to allow developers to avoid Apple's fees. Some experts have expressed concern that other countries could follow suit. Apple disagreed with the California judge's ruling, a spokeswoman said. It also appealed the ruling of the European Commission, saying the changes it is forcing the company to make go beyond what the law requires and are bad for users. The next piece of Apple's services business—and one of its most lucrative—is the money Google pays so it gets to be the default search provider in Apple's Safari web browser. It accounted for about 6% of Apple's overall revenue in the 12 months through March, estimates Bank of America. But because it has essentially no costs associated with it, it falls straight to the bottom line, where it accounts for 19%, or nearly a fifth, of Apple's total operating profit. After the Justice Department won its antitrust case against Alphabet's Google, it asked the judge to throw out the search giant's Apple contract, which the judge is still considering. During trial testimony, the judge asked Apple executive Eddy Cue, who oversees the services business, if Apple has thought about what it would do if he cancels the contract. Cue testified: 'I've lost a lot of sleep thinking about it." Advertising, particularly by apps in the App Store, is another big chunk of services revenue. Subscriptions to iCloud storage, Apple Music, Apple TV and other services add even more to Apple's services business. News Corp, owner of The Wall Street Journal, has a commercial agreement to supply news through Apple services. While Apple has bested expectations in many arenas of its services business outside of the App Store and Google payments, the company will still face an uphill battle in replacing lost revenue from those two areas, analysts say.
