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Apple released a slew of updates today to iOS and iTunes, aimed at improving Apple Music and fixing a few key problems. The updates are available to download now for iOS devices and iTunes on Windows and Mac.
The company also pushed out an update to Mac OS X that fixes a few minor issues related to Mail, Photos and QuickTime.
Let’s take a look at what’s new in each update.
iOS 8.4
- Resolves issues that could prevent turning on iCloud Music Library.
- Resolves an issue that hides added music because Apple Music was set to show offline music only.
- Provides a way to add songs to a new playlist if there aren’t any playlists to choose from.
- Resolves an issue that may show different artwork for an album on other devices.
- Resolves several issues for artists while posting to Connect.
- Fixes an issue where tapping Love doesn’t work as expected while listening to Beats 1.
Enlarge ImageScreenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET
Looks like the iOS 8.4.1 update fixes a few of the biggest problems that people encountered when using Apple Music: iCloud Music Library issues and managing playlists. Now, you should be able to turn on iCloud Music Library so that any music you’ve purchased on iTunes appears in Apple Music where you can play it.
One complaint I had while reviewing Apple Music was that you couldn’t create a playlist while viewing a song or album. You had to create the playlist first in one tab and then add songs to it later. This update changes that, letting you create a new playlist when you hear a song you like or while browsing anywhere in the app.
The rest of the additions to the update are mostly stability and bug fixes, that promise to improve the overall performance of Apple’s fledgling music streaming service.
iTunes 12.2.2
- Click on the Beats 1 banner to see what’s currently on, or view a complete broadcast schedule so you never miss a show.
- You can now view a list of the artists you’re following on Apple Music.
- Resolved an issue where iTunes loses its place when you go back to a previous page in Apple Music.
- Addressed a problem where artists may be sorted incorrectly in My Music.
- Fixed a problem where playlists displayed in the action menu may not match the playlists in your library.
Enlarge ImageScreenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET
Apple Music should work a little smoother on your desktop too with these updates to iTunes. One of the most welcome updates to me is that if I click into a playlists from the For You or New tab and then click iTunes’ back button, I won’t lose my place — the app will take me back to where I was on the previous tab instead of automatically jumping to the top of the tab.
With iTunes 12.2.2, you also get programming information for all of the shows on Beats 1. Plus, you can see the artists you’re following on Connect and manage them from iTunes, just click the account icon (with looks like a silhouette of a person) and select “Following.”
Mac OS X 10.10.5
- Improves compatibility with certain email servers when using Mail.
- Fixes an issue in Photos that prevented importing videos from GoPro cameras.
- Fixes an issue in QuickTime Player that prevented playback of Windows Media files.
As for Mac, these updates are smaller stability improvements and bug fixes to a few of OS X’s core programs. Now, you’ll have less hassle playing a Windows Media audio or video file in QuickTime, and importing videos from your GoPro to the Photos app.
