Apple Music Gets a Brain Boost: AI Playlists and a Revamped Interface
Apple Music is stepping into the future of personalized listening with its latest beta release, iOS 26.4. The centerpiece of this update is “Playlist Playground,” a new feature powered by Apple Intelligence that lets users generate playlists simply by describing the vibe they’re after. But the changes don’t stop there – a redesigned interface and improved concert discovery are also rolling out to beta testers.
Playlist Playground: Music Creation, Reimagined
Forget endless scrolling and genre-hopping. Playlist Playground allows users to create custom playlists with text prompts. Want a soundtrack for “late-night coding”? Or perhaps “road trip indie tracks”? Simply type it in, and Apple Music’s AI will curate a list of approximately 25 songs. The feature even offers pre-set suggestions like “morning coffee music” and “disco songs that defined the 1970s” for those seeking inspiration.
The beauty of Playlist Playground lies in its iterative nature. Once a playlist is generated, users can refine it with further prompts without starting from scratch. This allows for a dynamic and personalized music discovery experience. Playlists can be customized further, with options to add a cover and description, and shared with friends.
A Visual Refresh: Albums, Playlists, and Playback Controls
Beyond the AI-powered playlist creation, Apple Music is receiving a visual overhaul. The update introduces full-page artwork for albums and playlists, extending the themed background to the track list and related suggestions. This creates a more immersive and visually appealing listening experience.
Playback controls are also getting a subtle but significant upgrade. The Play button is now centered, while the Shuffle button has been redesigned as a circle, moving to the left of the Play button. The Download button now resides on the right, and the Share menu is neatly tucked into the corner. These changes aim to improve one-handed usability.
Concert Discovery: Bringing Artists to Life
For music fans who enjoy live performances, Apple Music is enhancing its concert discovery features. Artist pages now feature an “Upcoming Concerts” badge, with a dedicated section below the Top Videos carousel listing “All Upcoming Concerts.” This makes it easier for users to find and purchase tickets to observe their favorite artists on tour.
Currently available to developer beta testers, these updates are expected to roll out to the public with the release of iOS 26.4 in the spring. Users can join the beta program via the Google Play Store listing or through the dedicated testing link.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Playlist Playground? Playlist Playground is a new Apple Music feature that uses AI to create playlists based on text prompts.
- How do I access Playlist Playground? It’s available in the Apple Music app by tapping the new playlist icon in the upper-right corner of the “Library” tab.
- When will iOS 26.4 be released to the public? The software is expected to launch in the spring.
- Is Playlist Playground free? It is included with an Apple Music subscription.
What kind of playlists will *you* create with Apple Music’s new AI tools? Let us know in the comments below!
