In August 2021, Apple introduced the acquisition of classical music service Primephonic and promised that the “famend classical music expertise is coming to Apple Music.” Apple promised Primephonic unique content material and playlists inside Apple Music and a “devoted expertise” that may land “within the coming months.”

That first a part of that promise got here to move–there’s a Primephonic class in Apple Music (although it definitely isn’t very effectively promoted) with some good playlists. And naturally, Apple Music has its personal Classical part with a pleasant catalog of spatial audio tracks that can also be not very effectively promoted. However the second half, which many have speculated would arrive as a separate app, hasn’t made its debut.

Absolutely, Apple didn’t purchase Primephonic for this, proper? Neither one comes near qualifying because the “devoted expertise” subscribers that was speculated to ship “higher looking and search capabilities by composer and by repertoire, detailed shows of classical music metadata, plus new options and advantages.” What now we have now could be simply the identical stuff as each style inside Apple Music.

The Primephonic web site hasn’t been up to date because the acquisition. It nonetheless solely comprises a press release about Primephonic shutting down and promising “an incredible new classical music expertise from Apple for subsequent 12 months.” That’s this 12 months, which is now practically over.

Again in September, somewhat little bit of reference code (posted by @aaronp613 on Twitter) appeared to indicate that Apple was connecting Apple Music Classical to its back-end music servers. Unusual that it will take over a 12 months, however let’s say it did–it’s now been three months. We’ve had iOS 16, 16.1, and now 16.2 launched since then.

There are three actual prospects for Primephonic’s followers and people wanting ahead to Apple Music Classical.

First, Apple may nonetheless be on observe. The corporate has delivered some apps by way of the App Retailer, not as a part of an OS replace. Shazam, one other firm Apple acquired, continues to be a downloaded app. Possibly it’s a Christmas shock, launching within the App Retailer any day now?

Second, Apple has scrapped the entire “devoted expertise” thought completely. What you see is what you get. Primephonic is a curator on Apple Music, the app has a classical part–don’t count on far more. Actually don’t count on a separate product named Apple Music Classical.

Or third, Apple’s simply working late. The promised 2022 launch will come and go, and Apple will launch one thing in 2023. Maybe as a part of iOS 16.3 or throughout its spring occasion in March?

Of those three, I really feel just like the third is probably. One thing known as Apple Music Classical will land in 2023. It is likely to be a standalone app or a strong part inside Apple Music with its distinctive interface and navigation modifications. However there may be frustratingly little proof to again this up—it’s only a intestine feeling primarily based on the concept Apple not often makes such public purchases doing a lot greater than they’ve accomplished with Primephonic.