Cheaper Apple Music streaming rate for Aus students

Apple Music has cut the monthly cost of the music streaming service for students enrolled in qualifying Australian universities or colleges by 50% to $5.99. Full details here.

The discount lasts for 48 months (four years). It is not continuous, so those who take a breather from studies and return before the four years are up, can continue at the cheaper rate.

The Australian Student Memberships are part of Apple Music’s roll-out to Denmark, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States.

New members applying for the discount will have their university/college enrolment through UNiDAYS, a student validation service. Apple will periodically re-validate their student status. If it discovers they are no longer a student, or they have reached the 48 months, their membership automatically becomes an Apple Music Individual Membership.

Those already a $11.99 Apple Music member or part of a family deal, can change to a Student Membership in the Music app or in iTunes on a computer.

It’s Apple Music’s way to increase its 13 million subscriber mark to chase Spotify’s 30 million. Spotify has long offered a student discount for $5.99.

Following on from TMN’s story last week about the overhaul of Apple Music – to be announced at next month’s WWDC 2016 conference – news has filtered out that the redesign will go more for a black-and-white visual, and a stronger emphasis on album art.

A report from 9to5Mac says that the under-used Connect social feature will be demoted, like Ping.

Connect was a cornerstone of Apple Music’s features when it launched last June, with its own tab The idea was for artists on tour to share photos, videos and tracks, while listeners could make comments and posts directly to the acts.

Not only did it not live up to Apple’s expectations, but some users found ways to disconnect the feature.

Connect is expected to now become integrated into the For You recommendations page and is not expected to be updated with new features.