iOS 26.4 beta introduces AI playlists for Apple Music

On Monday, Apple launched the primary beta of iOS 26.4 for builders. Unfortunately, right now’s beta nonetheless doesn’t embrace the long-awaited new Siri powered by Gemini, nevertheless it does include one other fascinating AI-related new function, particularly in case you’re an Apple Music subscriber.

The iOS 26.4 replace not solely brings a brand new interface for albums and playlists, nevertheless it additionally delivers a brand new AI playlist function, which ought to turn into obtainable quickly. Read on as we element what’s new in Apple Music with iOS 26.4 beta.

Updated interface for albums and playlists

The Apple Music app is getting one other interface tweak following the key redesign launched with iOS 26 final yr. Now, when customers are viewing an album or playlist, the background will observe the colour of the paintings as an alternative of strong white.

It’s not precisely an enormous change, nevertheless it brings a breath of recent air to Apple Music, making the expertise slightly extra fluid and immersive.

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Concerts close to you

Here’s one other small however fascinating element about Apple Music in iOS 26.4 beta. When you open the app for the primary time after putting in the replace, a message says that Apple Music can now present upcoming concert events close to you.

It’s unclear precisely how the function works inside Apple Music, nevertheless it’s seemingly be primarily based on the identical function that already exists within the Shazam app (which is owned by Apple). With Shazam, customers can view and save upcoming performances and ticket particulars in addition to set reminders to be notified of tour dates.

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AI-generated playlists

But what actually stands out on this replace is the AI playlist function. The function is included within the iOS 26.4 beta code, however doesn’t appear to be enabled for all customers but. 

Based on the code, Apple Music subscribers can have entry to “a new way to make playlists” utilizing Apple Intelligence. The function, known as “Playlist Playground,” will generate playlists primarily based on textual content prompts and even on the collection of at the least 10 completely different songs.

Users can describe what sort of songs they need in a playlist, which artists they wish to hearken to, or just what vibe they like greatest. The code means that Playlist Playground can be able to modifying outdated playlists.

Whether Playlist Playground will use Apple Intelligence or a third-party AI supplier is unclear. For occasion, Apple has already partnered with OpenAI to supply playlist technology on Apple Music by means of ChatGPT.

The function seems to be a part of an Apple Intelligence replace that’s rolling out to customers who replace to the iOS 26.4 beta. It’s unclear how rapidly Apple is rolling out the function to customers, nevertheless it isn’t obtainable upon preliminary set up.

When to count on iOS 26.4? 

iOS 26.4 beta additionally provides different new options, together with encrypted RCS messages and video episodes on Apple Podcasts. Apple says the replace can be launched to the general public this spring.