#Pressing the 'Selfie Sing' button on the iPhone activates the front camera and displays the song lyrics. Users can record videos of themselves singing along while viewing the lyrics. The feature also allows users to adjust the original artist's vocal volume and apply vocal effects. Recorded videos can be shared via messaging or social media. This is a new interactive music feature introduced by Apple Music.
Apple introduced Selfie Sing and other key features during a media briefing on November 11. The core of this initiative is to expand music engagement beyond just listening to singing and sharing. The company is enhancing the music listening experience by expanding lyric translation and pronunciation support and strengthening spatial audio technology.
Selfie Sing combines the existing Apple Music Sing feature with the iPhone's front camera. While Apple Music Sing focused on singing along with lyrics, Selfie Sing adds video recording and sharing capabilities. Currently, it is available to some users in the iOS 27.3 beta version and is set for a full release in mid-December.
Additionally, Apple has enhanced its lyric translation and pronunciation features. Approximately 60% of Apple Music users worldwide utilize the lyric feature, with South Korea having one of the highest usage rates.
Apple Music currently supports lyric translations in 11 language combinations and pronunciation in 13 language combinations. For example, it translates English lyrics into Korean or displays the pronunciation of Japanese lyrics in Hangul. Translations generated by machine learning are reviewed by language experts to reflect the original meaning and cultural expressions.
Usage in South Korea is rapidly increasing. In July and August, the monthly average views of the lyric translation and pronunciation features were four times higher than the previous ten-month average. The top three songs globally using the lyric pronunciation feature were all K-pop tracks.
During the event, attendees experienced Apple Music's spatial audio technology. Reporters moved to a listening room established by Apple Music in March, where they experienced spatial audio for about 40 minutes. Multiple speakers were installed throughout the sides and ceiling of the room. Each month, spatial audio listening events are held featuring three to four artist teams.
In the listening room, attendees enjoyed spatial audio versions of Stray Kids' 'TASTE' and IVE's 'Looks Can Kill.' While standard audio focuses on vocals, the spatial audio version allowed various instruments and sound effects, such as drums, to resonate in a three-dimensional manner. The sound spread from multiple directions, allowing listeners to perceive differences in instrument placement and distance.
The process of creating spatial audio was also revealed. The screen displayed individual sound elements like vocals, drums, and piano as dots. Moving the dots changed the direction from which the sound was heard. This technology allows artists and sound engineers to position instruments and vocals according to the characteristics of the song.
Not all audio tracks support spatial audio. It is available only for songs that have undergone separate mixing by artists and record labels. Over 80% of K-pop songs that entered the Apple Music Global Top 100 this year are offered in spatial audio. A personalized spatial audio feature adjusts sound based on the user's face and ear shape recognized by the iPhone camera.
Apple Music is focusing on the growing K-pop market. In the past 12 months, K-pop has shown significant growth in major markets such as Mexico, France, Indonesia, Germany, and the UK.
The platform is expanding collaborations with various K-pop artists, including BTS, BLACKPINK's Rosé, ATEEZ, IVE, and Cortis. This is done through Apple Music radio content and interviews to connect artists with global fans. BTS's album 'ARIRANG' set a record for the group's highest play count on Apple Music on its release day and first weekend, topping charts in over 120 countries.
Additionally, the 'AutoMix' feature, which seamlessly connects songs, has been improved. Users can check concert schedules and purchase tickets on artist pages. The platform also offers a feature to transfer playlists from other streaming services.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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