Apple Music has introduced a new feature named "Discovery Station," a radio station fueled by algorithms aimed at providing users with an enhanced music exploration experience and competing with Spotify's personalized playlists.
This illustration photo shows the Apple app store logo reflected from an iPhone onto the back of an iMac in Los Angeles, August 26, 2021. - Apple has agreed to loosen payment restrictions on its App Store, a major change announced in a settlement with small developers as the US technology giant faces growing scrutiny and legal challenges over its tightly controlled online marketplace.
Apple Music's New 'Discovery Station'
In contrast to its competitor's well-established "Discover" playlists, Apple Music has launched the new Discovery Station to help users discover new songs, TechCrunch reported. The station exclusively plays songs that have not yet graced the user's playlists, library or received their endorsement.
While Apple Music already offers the "New Music Mix," refreshed weekly but limited to 25 tracks, the Discovery Station seeks to cater to users' cravings for fresh melodies.
Apple Music further enriches its offerings with a tailored "[User Name's] station," blending the user's favorites with a curated selection of akin tracks.
While the Cupertino-based tech giant has yet to release an official announcement regarding the algorithmic discovery playlist, reports have surfaced of the feature being gradually rolled out on Apple Music's web platform and apps.
According to MacRumors, users who have yet to spot the playlist within the app can access it through a direct link.
Apple Hits 'All-Time-High' in Services Revenue
In other noteworthy news, Apple reported a modest upswing in quarterly profits, countering a decrease in revenues attributed to a robust service performance despite lackluster iPhone sales.
The company's third fiscal quarter profits reached $19.9 billion, reflecting a 2.3 percent increment from the previous year's equivalent period. Concurrently, revenues experienced a minor 1.4 percent contraction, totaling $81.8 billion.
During this quarter, Apple notably achieved an all-time high in its services revenue, encompassing earnings from the App Store, Apple Pay, Apple TV, and other subscription-based services.
China witnessed a revenue rebound following a dip in the preceding quarter compared to the previous year. Conversely, sales registered an uptick in Europe but endured declines in the Americas, Japan, and the broader Asia Pacific region.
The sales of the iPhone, a pivotal contributor to Apple's revenue, endured a slight 2.4 percent downturn, a factor that contributed to the overall revenue contraction. Similarly, revenues from the Mac and iPad segments experienced dips.
Apple attributed certain regional sales sluggishness to macroeconomic factors, particularly the influence of inflation on household budgets. Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted the record-high service revenue achievement and emphasized robust iPhone sales in emerging markets.
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