Apple has announced a partnership with Universal Music Group to offer new wellness-focused Sound Therapy playlists to Apple Music subscribers.
The playlists, which are designed to help listeners Focus, Relax and Sleep, will feature tracks users are fond of but blended with bespoke soundwaves to assist the intended purpose.
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In the announcement Apple says the playlists use soundwaves, psychoacoustics and cognitive science while retaining the artist’s vision.
“Available exclusively on Apple Music, Sound Therapy blends songs subscribers already know and love with special sound waves designed to enhance users’ daily routines, while retaining the artist’s original vision,” the company says in a blog post.
“Backed by scientific research and powered by UMG’s proprietary audio technologies, Sound Therapy harnesses the power of sound waves, psychoacoustics, and cognitive science to help listeners relax or focus the mind.”
So, if you’re wondering how Apple plans to adjust existing songs, the company adds that tunes may be “enhanced with auditory beats or coloured noise to help encourage specific brain responses.”
The playlists are available to Apple Music subscribers for no extra cost. That might cut into the lunch money of existing players in the wellness audio space. It might also add to the value proposition for subscribers rocking the best iPhone models around.
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The likes of Calm, BetterSleep, Headspace and Endel offer playlists designed to help users enter a certain frame of mind, drift off to sleep, let go of stress, meditate, or focus on the task in front of them.
Now Apple’s App Store business model, where it took a significant cut from purchases made within third-party apps, is coming under threat we may see the company make more moves into spaces usually covered by the App Store ecosystem.
