Apple Music for Android Gets Home Screen Widget

Apple isn't hesitating when it comes to embracing the strengths of Android. For Apple Music's Android client, the Cupertino-based company has released a new feature that iPhone users can't enjoy - a home screen widget. Weeks after adding support for microSD card, Apple is now leveraging widget support, allowing users to have an Apple Music widget on the home screen from which they can control the music.

Apple Music for Android has received an update that brings with it a number of features. Chief among these additions is the ability to have Apple Music widget on the home screen. The widget allows you to pause or play the song, as well as change to next or previous track.

Another interesting inclusion to Apple Music's Android client include the ability to add songs from the Apple Music catalog to playlists without having to add it to your library. Apple Music now also supports gift cards, you can go to Settings and utilise this feature to renew your membership using iTunes credit.

Here's the changelog for rest of the features:

• See what's playing on Beats 1 directly from the Radio tab -- without having to tune in
• Tap the name of the currently playing song in Now Playing to go to the album
• See which songs are most popular on albums in the Apple Music catalog

Apple took everyone by surprise last year when it announced that it will be releasing Apple Music to Android as well as Windows. The rather odd move from the company seems to be working in its favor, helping it widen the userbase quickly. As of last month, Apple Music had more than 11 million paid users. For Apple to stay competitive on rival platforms, it will have to actively release new features and play to the strength of the local ecosystem.

Speaking of a relatively new Apple service, Apple Pay is also slated to become more powerful. Apple will integrate Apple Pay with its Safari browser later this year, allowing users to make purchases from mobile websites, technology website Re/code reported, citing sources. The mobile payments system will be available to shoppers who use iPhone and iPad models that have the company's fingerprint technology, Re/code reported.