One of many fashionable visible modifications to the iPhone on iOS 26 is a brand new format for the lock display screen when music is taking part in. Art work can now be animated and proven full-screen on the iPhone show, with playback controls resting on a platter of a liquid glass.
You’ll be able to do this out proper now with Apple Music. Play a music that has animated album artwork, and lock the cellphone. However customers of third-party music streaming apps like Spotify will even be happy to know that Apple is opening up this functionality as an API, so third-party builders also can undertake it.
The brand new API is named MPMediaItemAnimatedArtwork, and is testable proper now within the developer SDK. This implies an app with at the moment taking part in media can present an animated video clip to the system for show on the lock display screen, in addition to placeholder art work whereas the video hundreds.
In fact, customers must wait till the general public launch of iOS 26 for third-party apps within the App Retailer to have the ability to use this new API and present full-bleed animated artwork on the lock display screen.
We additionally haven’t but bought affirmation whether or not Spotify, Apple Music’s greatest rival, plans to reap the benefits of it. Regardless of criticizing Apple repeatedly for gatekeeping, the service has been reluctant (learn: refused) to undertake new platform options like AirPlay 2 and native HomePod playback integration.
Whereas music is clearly the first intent of this function, in concept, the brand new API isn’t restricted to only music streaming apps. Different audio apps, like audiobooks or podcasts, might additionally present video art work when accessible.
iOS 26 is offered in developer beta proper now, and can roll out as a free software program to all iPhone customers within the fall.
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