21 New Features Announced for Apple Music, Podcasts, Maps and More

Right on the heels of WWDC 2023, Apple has given a sneak peek into the new features coming to Apple Music, Podcasts, Maps, News and more services later this year with iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, watchOS 10 and tvOS 17. 

"Not only do we want to make services more powerful for users, we also want to make them more fun. And I think the teams have done an incredible job with the lineup of new features we’re delivering this fall, from Collaborative Playlists in Apple Music, to offline maps in Apple Maps, to new experiences in Apple Podcasts," said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services.

1. Collaborative Playlists

Apple Music subscribers can collaborate on playlists with family and friends, inviting them to select and edit tracks, and even react with emojis to specific songs.

2. Continuity Camera for Apple Music Sing

Users can enjoy a more immersive singing experience with Apple Music Sing and Continuity Camera. They can see themselves onscreen and apply new camera filters while singing along to their favourite songs.

3. Song Credits in Apple Music

Fans can now discover the artists behind their favourite songs. Apple Music provides comprehensive data about the contributors, including their roles and the instruments they played.

4. SharePlay in the Car

Apple Music brings SharePlay to the car, allowing everyone to choose what's playing. Even non-subscribers can control the music from their devices while listening in the car.

5. Apple Music Radio Shows on Apple Podcasts

The subscribers can listen to the entire catalogue of Apple Music radio shows on Apple Podcasts. They can follow individual shows, automatically download new episodes, and enjoy award-winning, commercial-free content.

6. Offline Maps with Apple Maps

Users can easily download and browse offline maps on their devices. While offline, they can access turn-by-turn navigation, estimated time of arrival, find places, and more.

7. Real-Time Electric Vehicle Charging Availability

Apple Maps users with electric vehicles can see real-time charging station availability based on network and plug type. Compatible vehicles can designate a preferred charging network.

8. Explore Park Trails with Apple Maps

Apple Maps now make it easier to discover thousands of trails in U.S. parks. Place cards provide detailed information like trail length, difficulty, and elevation gain.

9. Custom Workout and Meditation Plans in Apple Fitness+

Users can receive personalized workout or meditation schedules based on their preferences, including day, duration, and workout type.

10. Stacks for Queueing Fitness+ Workouts

Fitness+ introduces Stacks, allowing users to select multiple workouts and meditations to do back-to-back, saving time and eliminating interruptions.

11. Audio Focus on Fitness+

The Fitness+ subscribers can prioritize music volume or trainer voices for an optimized workout or meditation experience.

12. Puzzles on Apple News

Apple News+ subscribers gain access to daily crosswords and mini-crosswords in partnership with The Puzzle Society.

13. Audio Stories on Apple Podcasts

Apple News+ subscribers can listen to professionally narrated audio stories from leading magazines and newspapers in Apple Podcasts.

14. New Now Playing Experience for Apple Podcasts

The listeners enjoy a refreshed Now Playing design, featuring dynamic backgrounds that showcase podcast art and enhanced controls for managing the queue.

15. Episode Art and Design Enhancements for Apple Podcasts

Support for episode art throughout Apple Podcasts allows users to explore more about episodes. The redesigned layout for episodes shows, and channels provides easier preview, play, and follow options.

16. Connect Subscriptions with Apple Podcasts

Listeners can access new shows and benefits by connecting eligible subscriptions to top apps on the App Store, including popular brands like Bloomberg, Calm, The Economist, and more.

17. Enhanced Series Pages in Apple Books

Users can easily discover all books available in a series, switch between ebook and audiobook versions, purchase the next title based on their reading progress, and explore related series recommendations.

18. Recurring Payments with Apple Cash

Apple Cash users can set up recurring weekly, biweekly, or monthly payments, simplifying tasks like paying allowances or shared expenses among friends and family.

19. Present IDs with Apple Wallet

Businesses can accept IDs in Apple Wallet, streamlining age verification and customer identity checks. Users can securely present their ID by holding their iPhone or Apple Watch near the business's device.

20. Share Locations with Find My

Users can share their location and request someone else's location directly through Find My in Messages, and easily create routes to locations in Maps.

21. Item Sharing with AirTag and Find My

Owners of AirTag and Find My network accessories can invite up to five people to a sharing group, enabling them to see the item's location, get directions, and use Precision Finding for accurate tracking.

Also Read: All You Need To Know about Apple WWDC 2023