Apple Music, Podcasts apps to get these new features with the iOS 18 update

The iOS 18 update is one of the biggest updates to Apple’s smartphone operating system to date. It brings with it a host of design changes and new features across several native iPhone apps including Photos, Mail, Messages, and more. Two more such apps, where some new changes are coming, are Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. Here’s what’s changing with them.

New features to look out for on Apple Music

Apple Music gets several new features aimed at improving aesthetics, accessibility, as well as the overall user experience. Here they are.

Improved crossfade feature

There is also an improved crossfade feature, which ensures a smooth transition between two songs. This reduces any ‘jerkiness’ while listening to music, and allows for a generally more pleasant listening experience.

Music haptics

What’s even cooler though, is the new music haptics feature. The feature introduces tactile feedback from your iPhones, which is synchronised with the beats of your favorite songs. The music haptics feature then, makes listening to music an especially enjoyable experience for those with hearing impairments.

New Mood Stations

That’s not all. Apple Music now also gets five new Mood Stations. These are Feel Good, Energy, Relax, Focus, and Feeling Blue. Each of these stations selects and curates a selection of songs to listen to depending on your mood, from Apple Music’s catalogue. They keep updating, as your listening habits and favourite songs change over time. These stations join the Love and Heartbreak stations which were launched earlier this year, all of which work in tandem with the Discovery Station.

ALSO READ: Apple Music introduces ‘Discovery Station’ feature aimed at helping users find new music

The Discovery Station, in case you missed it, was released in August 2023. It works along the same lines that the other stations do. However, it only plays new music, and never repeats the same song twice. The feature is available to Apple Music subscribers in India as well as abroad.

Features to look out for on Apple Podcasts

Apple, in a bid to update its Music app amongst others, hasn’t forgotten about its Podcasts app either. Apple Podcasts now gets chapter markers on podcasts, which allows you to effectively bookmark sections where you left off, or jump to bits on Podcasts that pique your interest easily.

Additionally, there is also now a feature that allows you to share podcasts from any point within an episode. Last but not least, is an improved search functionality in the Podcast app, which integrates alternate suggestions for you while searching for your favourite podcasts, to enable greater discovery.

First unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 event, iOS 18 is all set to be released to the general user base in the coming days and weeks.