It's the end of an era as Apple Music discontinues its unique Voice Plan, barely two years since its inception. Launched in 2021, the Voice Plan was a novel concept that aimed to revolutionize how we interact with music. For a mere $5 a month, subscribers could use Siri to navigate Apple Music’s catalog. This meant asking Siri to play a specific song, album, artist, or even a genre. The Voice Plan was an experiment in voice-only interactions, offering a different approach to music streaming.
This change was not formally announced but gently broken to customers via Apple's support page. In a statement, the tech giant declared its intention to cease the Voice Plan starting in November. Apple’s focus, it seems, is now on providing a more robust and immersive music experience. The company highlighted features such as Spatial Audio, real-time lyrics with Apple Music Sing, and intuitive discovery and browsing capabilities as part of their commitment to this goal.
While Apple remained reticent about the reasons behind the discontinuation, evidence suggests that the Voice Plan did not garner the anticipated popularity. The plan's limitations were likely a deterrent for many subscribers. The lack of real-time lyrics the inability to add songs to personal libraries or create custom playlists curtailed its appeal. Furthermore, the Voice Plan had a limited geographical footprint, only being available in select regions, including the U.S., U.K., Australia, Austria, and Canada, among others.
The sudden discontinuation of the Voice Plan has left a void for those who relished the Siri-exclusive experience. However, Apple was quick to remind users that all their other subscription plans still offer Siri functionality. Whether you're on the Individual, Student, Family, or Apple One plan, you can use Siri to play any song, album, playlist, or radio station. This includes the Type to Siri feature, ensuring voice interactions with Apple Music continue to be possible.
As of now, the Voice Plan is no longer available on Apple’s website. Current subscribers can still enjoy the plan until the end of their current billing cycle. After that, they'll need to switch to another plan, as auto-renew has been deactivated. The Voice Plan may have taken its final bow, but its legacy of voice-controlled music streaming endures. It serves as a reminder of Apple's dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation and creating unique user experiences.