[whywhywhywhy]

The product referred to as "Apple Music" isn't library focused. The app now known as Music and the service known as "iTunes Match" is.

Apple Music is the music as a service subscription that keeps pushing adverts in app and keeps turning itself back on even if you're not subscribed and have turned it off.

[LeoPanthera]

All the features of "iTunes Match" are included in Apple Music as long as you have "Sync Library" turned on.

For a while there was a subtle difference in that music uploaded to Apple Music would have DRM applied to it, and iTunes Match would not, but this is no longer the case.

[baby]

Are you sure? I can’t remember why but I’m subscribed to both. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t play my own music without iTunes match.

[mech4bg]

I was scared of turning the subscription off, but no, it's fine. My own library is still there. They used to have a terrible matching algorithm for Apple Music, different to iTunes Match, but switched it pretty early on. I've had no issues for a number of years now.

[AlexandrB]

Is DRM applied to iTunes Match too now? That's unfortunate.

[kall]

No. Just drag a matched track out of the music app or import it in various iOS apps, it's a DRM free AAC file.

[ratww]

Oh wow… If it is, I will probably rethink my subscription. I have uploaded a lot of music I bought in other services or ripped legally from CDs I physically own, adding DRM to things I own feels immoral to me.

Wish there were more alternative mobile OSs and platforms. Apple is getting on my nerves too much lately.

[jghn]

Likewise. IIRC Apple Music is a lot more (3x?) expensive than iTunes Match so not sure if the price increase would be worth it to me. But my thinking it wouldn't track my library was what made Apple Music a nonstarter for me.

[LeoPanthera]

lol no, the other way around. Music you upload remains DRM-free.

[OldHand2018]

iTunes Match is a subscription service, right?

Buying individual tracks or entire albums from the iTunes Store gets you DRM-free music files. No?

[LeoPanthera]

Yes to both.

[ComputerGuru]

I just checked - not so far as I can see.

[cassianoleal]

That's not correct.

iTunes Match, which the author mentions, is responsible for exactly 1 of the features listed:

> Uploading your music to the cloud and streaming them as any other song

Everything else is part of Apple Music, the streaming service: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Music

[kall]

Since all the apps are just called "Music" anyway (remember the iPod app?) I think it's a difficult distinction to make. It's the Music app by Apple, which has an optional subscription that is also called "Apple Music" verbatim.

Match is just hidden legacy, because the standard subscription includes it's features anyway.

[cassianoleal]

Apps != Services. The Music app is the main front end of Apple Music and iTunes Match, but you absolutely do not require a subscription to them in order to benefit from the app, and vice-versa.

Edit: I think I understand your point better now. I've just learned that Match is not necessary if you already subscribe to Apple Music. I still wouldn't call it legacy though, since you might just want to sync music you own between devices and don't need the rest of the service. In this case, Match is a lot cheaper than Music.