It seems they've had a little trouble getting it working, although it's always hard to know if it's one side or the other's fault. In any case, the important thing here is that Google Assistant-enabled speakers can now play Apple Music. And the best part is, without having to resort to methods like Bluetooth streaming, which some were using until now.
Speakers with Google Assistant now support Apple Music
There's one key principle that any smart speaker manufacturer or service should always keep in mind: it's essential to reach the maximum number of users possible . This is something Amazon understood very well from the start with its Echo Dot.
However, Apple with its HomePod doesn't seem to have much interest in opening up its speaker to other music services. What's more, it hardly seems like he's starting to do it now. Google for its part seems to be in a kind of middle ground, although they also had a significant absence in order to be a viable option for certain Apple users.
This last issue seems to have finally been resolved. Google has released an update that, for the moment, only affects users in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan , but given its nature, it shouldn't take long to reach the rest of the countries where Apple's music service is also available.
Therefore, if you are Apple Music users, you may be able to do it now or soon, but in one way or another you will be able to listen to your favorite music just by saying “Ok Google, play to…”
How to set up Apple Music and Google Assistant
The first thing you need to know is which Google Assistant-compatible devices also support Apple Music. According to the company's statement, these include: Nest Audio, Nest Hub Max, Nest Mini, and many others on the market, some manufactured by different brands.
Secondly, to use Apple Music on one of these speakers, you'll need an active paid subscription . As you may know, Apple's music streaming service doesn't offer any free plans beyond the trial period for new users. So, unlike Spotify, you have to pay to use it. But you probably already knew that.
Finally, all you have to do is follow the same steps that you have previously been able to perform to connect other services other than Google's own for music themes. For example, Spotify among the odd one that was already compatible today.
However, here's what you need to do to set up Apple Music on a speaker with Google Assistant:
- From your smartphone, open the Google Home app
- Select the option that gives access to System Settings
- Now go to the Music section and then to More music services
- In this last step, Apple Music will appear
- Select this option and link your account with active subscription
- Ready
As you can see, it's that easy and simple to start using Apple's music service on Google Assistant-compatible speakers. It is recommended that if your intention is to always use this service, something logical as it is paid, you establish it as default. In this way you save having to specify where you want to listen to that song, group or album that you ask the assistant for.