Control your music and what you hear, is one of the main features of Apple Watch. Since the launch of the Apple Watch Series 3 in 2017, this device allows you to stream music directly from your Watch without the need of an iPhone or an iPod.
This is a very good change for runners and fitness enthusiasts, as well as for those who listen to occasional music, who don't want to carry two devices with them. But to use this, you will need a music application.
So take a closer look at some of the best music apps available for your Apple Watch.
1.- Apple Music
This application works well as a method to synchronize the music library of your iPhone. And it is probably the first application that new users of an Apple Watch will turn to.
You can control the playback and access songs, albums and playlists directly from your wrist.
If you have an Apple Watch model with mobile support and an Apple Music subscription, you can stream directly from your watch. Likewise, Apple makes this incredibly easy.
By default, your iPhone will automatically synchronize Apple's weekly playlists: New Music, Chill Mix and Favorites Mix. As well as Heavy Rotation, which is a collection of albums and playlists that you listen to frequently. Also, you can add playlists and albums manually with the Watch app on your iPhone.
This app offers basic music controls to pause, jump forward and backward. You can also use the digital crown to control the volume. Siri voice control is also available: just lift your wrist and ask Siri to play, pause, skip or play the previous song.
However, you should be careful: if you ask Siri to play a particular song, album or playlist, it will be done through your iPhone instead of your Apple Watch. This is the case unless you have the LTE model.
With this watch, you can ask Siri to play any of the 50 million songs in the Apple Music library. The application will also show you the song that is currently playing with a look at your wrist.
If you are an Apple Music subscriber, the application does almost everything you could want. The integration of Siri makes it an excellent choice for hands-free music when you exercise.
2.- Spotify
If you are a Spotify Premium subscriber hoping to leave your iPhone behind, you will be disappointed. Even with the Apple Watch LTE, you still cannot stream Spotify directly from the portable device.
However, that does not remove the positive aspects of this service on your Apple Watch. With your iPhone nearby, the Spotify app is a practical way to control your music without having to take out your mobile device.
You will find albums and playlists that have been posted recently, as well as a link to your library, which includes the excellent Spotify Discover Weekly playlist. In addition, you can play, pause, skip forward and skip backward with the application's playback controls. It also has support for adding songs to your favorites list. As well as to change the output devices.
There is also information about the playlist or album currently being played, but it only shows the first two or three songs. So this is not very useful.
The complications of the Apple Watch are also disappointing; Even the biggest doesn't show your current music. If Spotify is your favorite music service on your iPhone, then the Spotify app for your Apple Watch should transfer some of the same useful features to your wrist.
3.- Pandora
Pandora is another musical alternative for Apple Watch users in the United States. You can play music on the go, even without your iPhone. Unlike Spotify, Pandora includes offline playback as an option. So recent content is automatically loaded to your watch when your iPhone also connects to the same network.
To take advantage of offline playback, you must sign up for one of the paid subscriptions. The Premium subscription provides offline access to 10 of your most recent playlists, songs or albums. Alternatively, the Plus subscription will only allow you to listen to its three most recent stations when you are disconnected.
The application shows the songs that are currently playing, with a highlighted play and pause icon. As well as an adjustable volume ring. Swiping to the right takes you to the selection screen, where you can choose the music you want to play.
The amount of options you have here will depend on the level of your subscription. If you are a free user, you will only see the last song that was played on your iPhone.
If you already have a Pandora subscription, this is a useful application that gives you access to offline content. But it lacks a deeper integration of the Apple Music app, and there is no option to stream with the mobile Apple Watch. Therefore, you are limited to what you can hear without your iPhone.
4.- Deezer
Deezer is another subscription-based service for Apple Watch users to try. For Deezer Premium subscribers there are no limitations on how they can use the app. Free users have the same limitations as in the iPhone application: you can only put music in random mode and skip up to six tracks per hour.
However, be careful: there is no option to download content offline with Deezer. There is also no way to transmit directly to your watch, so you will need to have your iPhone handy if you want to listen to music.
Currently, there are no complications for Deezer. The only way you can start the application is through the icons on the home screen. All other applications on this list can be started directly from the watch face, so it is something to consider if Deezer is your preferred service.
You have four options to choose music: Flow, My Music, Favorite Tracks and the most recently played song. Flow is Deezer's personalized playlist based on your listening habits. Which includes your favorites mixed with new music suggestions.
My music allows you to select recent songs and favorite tracks, as well as playlists, albums and podcasts. You also have the option to add to your favorites or delete a song from Flow.
If you have a Deezer account, then the application is essential. But without offline content and no direct streaming option, you should keep your iPhone close.
5.- TuneIn
If you prefer your music from radio stations instead of your own albums and playlists, TuneIn has everything covered for you. You can listen to more than 100,000 radio stations from around the world, as well as podcasts. If you join a Premium subscription, you will have access to live games from the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL.
The TuneIn Pro Apple Watch app is really just a driver for the iPhone application. You can also choose from a selection of your most recent station. From there, the application shows controls to play or pause your current station, as well as jump forward or backward 30 seconds; which is ideal for podcasts. Similarly, there is no way to search for additional stations through TuneIn.
There are some complications available, but they are not compatible with all faces of Apple Watch. The largest complications will show the current playback station, while the smaller one provides a shortcut for the app.
Like some of the other applications on this list, TuneIn does not work on your Apple Watch regardless of your iPhone. If you only want to stream music through your Apple Watch, you must use the Apple Radio application.
Keep in mind that TuneIn Premium is a continuous subscription to access exclusive content. TuneIn Pro is a unique purchase that eliminates advertising banners and allows you to record content for offline listening.
Choose the most appropriate music application for your Apple Watch
A large part of deciding which music application you will use on your Apple Watch is the music subscription. If you have already invested in Spotify, the wide selection of music should also be satisfactory on your watch.
You will find similar experiences with Pandora, Deezer and TuneIn applications.
If you are subscribed to Apple Music, or if you want to stream your music without having your iPhone close, you must choose Apple Music. Then, you can start creating a playlist in this app to listen to your favorite artists.