Apple Music web app leak all but confirms 'lossless' features

The web app to play Apple Music tracks in the browser has seemingly confirmed Apple's teased announcement is for high-fidelity audio, with code references for "lossless" appearing ahead of its launch.

On Sunday, Apple updated the Apple Music app to tease an upcoming addition that will "change forever" how people listen to music. While rumors and leaks point to a possible lossless audio addition, Apple's own code seems to all but confirm the feature is on the way.

Source code for the Apple Music web app uncovered by 9to5Mac includes numerous references to "Lossless" and "Hi Res Lossless." The references seem to match elements found in the beta Apple Music app for Android, and could indicate the feature will arrive very soon.

Code in the web app also mentions "Dolby Atmos" and "Dolby Audio," references that could relate to 3D audio. Another item rumored to arrive alongside a hi-fi audio feature, this could serve customers with audio tracks treated in such a way as to work with Spatial Audio features in devices like AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

Lossless audio provides music streams at far higher bitrates than typically offered. While Apple Music usually operates at 256kbps at most, a lossless feed could push the bitrate to in excess of 1,000kbps. Music downloads will also be much bigger, with the Android leak indicating that files could take up three times the space of standard-quality versions.

Rumors have pointed to Apple launching its lossless audio streaming tier on May 18, potentially alongside revamed entry-level AirPods. It has also been speculated that the service could cost an extra $9.99 per user, on top of their existing Apple Music subscription.

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20 Comments

sdw2001 17459 comments · 23 Years

About 3 years ago

I’m a musician who doesn’t even subscribe to Apple Music to begin with. I listen to podcasts mostly . Also, unless you are using really fantastic equipment and have a great ear, you’re not going to hear the difference between a 256 stream it 1000 “lossless” stream.

polymnia 1080 comments · 15 Years

sdw2001 said:

I’m a musician who doesn’t even subscribe to Apple Music to begin with. I listen to podcasts mostly . Also, unless you are using really fantastic equipment and have a great ear, you’re not going to hear the difference between a 256 stream it 1000 “lossless” stream.

So, just here to yuck someone’s yum?

There are a non-trivial number of Apple users who have nice audio gear and decent ears. Apple was smart to go wide first with lossy streaming at competitive rates. The streaming battlefield is littered with fallen audiophile-specific services. With a solid conventional streaming business established, now is the time to stretch out to the well-heeled audio enthusiast market. We might be silly to care about the things we do, but we have money and are happy to pay a little extra to indulge ourselves.

cpsro 3236 comments · 14 Years

Here’s hoping Apple’s recent revamp of Bluetooth will support higher quality.

gregoriusm 517 comments · 17 Years

polymnia said:

sdw2001 said:

I’m a musician who doesn’t even subscribe to Apple Music to begin with. I listen to podcasts mostly . Also, unless you are using really fantastic equipment and have a great ear, you’re not going to hear the difference between a 256 stream it 1000 “lossless” stream.

So, just here to yuck someone’s yum?

There are a non-trivial number of Apple users who have nice audio gear and decent ears. Apple was smart to go wide first with lossy streaming at competitive rates. The streaming battlefield is littered with fallen audiophile-specific services. With a solid conventional streaming business established, now is the time to stretch out to the well-heeled audio enthusiast market. We might be silly to care about the things we do, but we have money and are happy to pay a little extra to indulge ourselves.

Not silly.

Xed 2877 comments · 4 Years

polymnia said:

sdw2001 said:

I’m a musician who doesn’t even subscribe to Apple Music to begin with. I listen to podcasts mostly . Also, unless you are using really fantastic equipment and have a great ear, you’re not going to hear the difference between a 256 stream it 1000 “lossless” stream.

So, just here to yuck someone’s yum?

There are a non-trivial number of Apple users who have nice audio gear and decent ears. Apple was smart to go wide first with lossy streaming at competitive rates. The streaming battlefield is littered with fallen audiophile-specific services. With a solid conventional streaming business established, now is the time to stretch out to the well-heeled audio enthusiast market. We might be silly to care about the things we do, but we have money and are happy to pay a little extra to indulge ourselves.

Adding to your post, this move to Hi-Fi also references spatial audio with Dolby solutions which we're seeing Apple do very well in with in their AirPods Pros and Max. I expect this to become even more common place in their HW, which will push even more manufactures to follow suit which will help push this new HiFI option.