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Can Apple Music’s AutoMix in iOS 26 Overcome Its Disappointing Start?
iOS 26 introduces AutoMix to Apple Music, aiming to deliver seamless transitions between songs, similar to a professional DJ. The concept is to enhance playlists and albums with smooth song changes, but early user feedback highlights significant problems with its performance.
Key Issues with AutoMix
- Inconsistent transitions: Many users report abrupt skips and cuts between tracks, disrupting the listening experience.
- Skipping song sections: Several users, including those on Reddit, mention that AutoMix frequently skips the first verse of songs, forcing them to disable the feature.
- Limited versatility: AutoMix appears to work best with songs of the same genre or similar tempo, reducing its effectiveness for diverse playlists.
- Dolby Atmos compatibility: The feature struggles with Dolby Atmos tracks, which is a drawback for those who value Apple Music’s high-quality audio offerings.
- Playback interference: Enabling AutoMix or crossfade can cause brief audio interruptions at the start of transitions, further impacting enjoyment.
User Sentiment and Comparisons
The majority of online feedback is negative, with users expressing frustration over AutoMix’s reliability. Many compare AutoMix unfavorably to Spotify’s seamless playback, which is widely regarded as more polished. Some reminisce about older music players like Winamp, which offered similar features with greater stability years ago.
Potential for Improvement
- AutoMix is currently in its early stages, debuting in the first developer beta of iOS 26.
- Apple is reportedly aware of the issues, suggesting that future updates could address these shortcomings.
AutoMix was designed to elevate the Apple Music experience, but its current implementation in iOS 26 has led to widespread disappointment. Users hope for significant improvements in upcoming updates, especially to match or exceed the performance of competing music platforms.