The App Store is filled with music-centric applications, yet one of my all-time favorites has been MusicHarbor. With the recent major version 5.0 update, this app now boasts a feature that Apple Music should have introduced ages ago: news integration. Here’s why I believe integrating Apple News would be a fantastic enhancement for not just the Music app, but also for TV, Books, and beyond.
MusicHarbor illustrates how effortlessly news can be incorporated into Apple Music and other apps
John Voorhees mentions in MacStories:
The new News section in MusicHarbor is my favorite. It aggregates articles about artists you follow from various sources. This includes well-known publications like chorus.fm, NPR Music, Pitchfork, and more. If there are particular feeds you’re not interested in, you can disable individual publications from appearing in the app.
Apple Music should definitely take a cue from MusicHarbor.
Staying updated with news about your favorite artists is a natural fit within the Music app, particularly if done with Apple’s touch of elegance.
I wouldn’t want to see updates about artists I’m not interested in overwhelming my Music app.
However, relevant updates? Absolutely.
According to MusicHarbor’s release notes: “you’ll only see updates from the artists you follow.”
Apple could easily introduce a news section on each artist’s page in Apple Music where curated stories from Apple News are featured. Additionally, significant stories related to your favorite artists could be showcased in the Home tab.
The integration of Apple News like this is already available in other apps, like Stocks and Weather, making it a feasible addition to Music without requiring excessive resources.
And why stop there? I’d love to see pertinent Apple News articles not only featured in Music but also in the Apple TV app and other areas.
Integrating Apple News could enhance user retention and engagement
One of the primary challenges facing streaming platforms is the continual struggle to capture users’ attention.
Applications like Netflix and Disney+ strive to be engaging, ensuring users return repeatedly.
If the Apple TV app showcased quality articles from Apple News related to every show and film, it would serve as a compelling reason for users to revisit the app more frequently.
This concept can also be applied not only to TV but to Music, Apple Books, and Apple Podcasts, as well.
Apple has a potent asset in Apple News, which could be integrated into its media applications with relative ease. Why hasn’t it been done yet?
Would you appreciate having Apple News articles integrated into Apple’s media applications? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments.
