Apple Music is adding a new feature for those who enjoy a side of visual panache with their music: animated album artwork.
As 9to5 Mac reports, Apple Music users with the beta versions of iOS 14.3 and macOS 11.1 have spotted animated covers on albums like Pearl Jam’s Gigaton and Big Sean’s Detroit 2. One user also saw animated artwork on Future Utopia’s 12 Questions, AppleInsider says.
Apple Music added animated playlist artwork to iOS 14, 9to5Mac notes, but it did not extend that functionality to individual albums. It isn’t clear from this early rollout which artists will get animated album art; Apple has yet to make an official announcement.
Spotify allows artists to upload portrait-style video snippets for albums and individual tracks, and YouTube Music has the option to turn on music video previews. But it looks like Apple Music is the first to offer animated album art. It will likely be on artists to choose whether they want to make use of this feature. Because of this, we may only see it on newer albums going forward.
iOS 14.3 should be arriving for all users next week. In the meantime, those curious about animated album art will need to opt in to beta testing for an early look.
