Google revealed this morning that Apple Music compatibility is now available for Google Nest smart speakers, alongside other smart speakers and displays powered by Google Assistant in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan. This development enables Google’s primary smart speaker models, including the Nest Audio, Nest Hub Max, and Nest Mini, to play Apple Music tracks, albums, and playlists through voice activation, extending to other compatible devices as well.

This update positions Google’s smart speakers as stronger competitors to Apple’s HomePod and the newer HomePod Mini, and to Alexa-powered smart speakers such as the Echo, which gained Apple Music support in late 2018.

To begin streaming via Apple Music, Google device users must initially connect their Apple Music account within the Google Home app, and can then designate it as their preferred music provider if desired. Once completed, voice commands such as “Hey Google, play New Music Daily playlist” or “Hey Google, play Rap Life playlist” will function, alongside requests for specific songs, artists, or playlists available on the service.

Users can also request music streams from Google Assistant based on musical style, atmosphere, or activity, or access their personal music collection by saying, “Hey Google, play my library.”

Apple Music functionality extends to households with multiple devices, allowing Google device owners to simultaneously stream to all speakers or transfer music playback between them.

Currently, many Google smart speaker users utilize alternative services like Spotify, Pandora, or Deezer – all of which are already integrated with the Google Home app. However, those who previously relied on Google Play Music have recently faced a choice: transition to a different service or remain within the Google environment, following the discontinuation of Google Play Music and its integration with YouTube Music. Consequently, some former Google Play Music subscribers have chosen Apple Music, attracted by its library capabilities.

Apple Music permits users to store up to 100,000 songs in their personal library, a feature that resonates with some former Google Play Music customers. Furthermore, it provides access to over 70 million songs for on-demand, advertisement-free streaming.

Google states that the new Apple Music support is being deployed to compatible devices beginning today.