Take charge of your Apple Music song queue

Apple Music’s confusing Play Next feature, demystified.

Author

Leander Kahney
April 11, 2024

I gotta admit: I’m not a huge fan of the Play Next queue in the Apple Music app.

I find it difficult to add tracks to the list, and to rearrange tracks if I want to change their order.

I tend to just hit “Play Next” over and over, which stacks tracks up but in no particular order — just the order in which I find tracks in my music library.

I always thought it was a failure of the Apple Music app. But it turns out, it’s a failure on my part. I just didn’t know how to use the feature!

If you’re in the same boat, check out our short guide on how to use Apple Music’s Play Next queue properly.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • Several models of the Apple Watch recently developed a “ghost touch” problem, caused by a software glitch Apple is reportedly working on. In the meantime, here’s how to fix it, at least temporarily.

  • Sennheiser’s new Momentum Sport earbuds bring new fitness features — heart rate and body temperature monitoring — that we may soon see in Apple’s AirPods.

  • If you’re looking for a sweet $550 off the M2 Pro-powered MacBook Pro, today’s the day to act.

  • Bestselling sci-fi novel Dark Matter is coming to Apple TV+. Check out the new trailer: The premise looks intriguing, if not a little mind-bending.

  • Today’s an auspicious day in Apple history: The Apple-I was released after Steve Jobs sold his Volkswagen van to finance it.

  • This six-in-one charging cable gets great reviews for its versatility: It really is the one cable to rule them all. And it’s on sale if you buy a two-pack.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

How to quickly queue songs on Apple Music (and clear the queue)

You can queue songs in Apple Music so that the tracks you want to hear play automatically, one after another.

Apple provides temporary solution for Apple Watch ghost touch issues

Besides the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, Apple acknowledges that the "ghost touch" bug affects many older Apple Watch models.

Track heart rate and body temp with Sennheiser's new sport earbuds

First unveiled at CES 2024, new Momentum Sport wireless earbuds with heart rate and body temperature tracking are now shipping.

A message from Cult of Mac deals team

Today only: Chop $550 off M2 Pro MacBook Pro

You have until Thursday's end to bag a huge $550 discount at B&H Photo on a 14-inch M2 MacBook Pro with solid specs.

Apple finally allows used parts for independent product repairs

In a first, Apple said a new process will let customers and indie repair shops include used parts in repairs, beginning with iPhones.

iPhone users around the world warned they are specific target of spyware

Mercenary spyware is being used to target specific iPhone users. But there are steps users can take to block it.

A message from the Cult of Mac deals team

Use your iPhone to scan and fax documents with this multipurpose scanning app

SwiftScan VIP turns your iPhone into a document-scanning multitool. It's on sale for 70% off, the best price online.

Dark Matter trailer unveils a multiverse mystery

"Dark Matter," one of the best sci-fi novels of the decade, is about to become an Apple TV+ series. A trailer shows the multiverse action.

This 6-in-1 multiple charging cable can charge practically anything

Reduce clutter with this 5-foot, six-in-one multiple charging cable, which includes Lightning, USB-C, USB-A and mini-USB.

Today in Apple history: Apple-1 starts a revolution

On April 11, 1976, Apple released its first computer, the Apple-1. With only 200 made, these remain the rarest Apple computers ever.

Tweetz o’ the day

One more thing ...

❝

My vision was to create the first fully packaged computer. We were no longer aiming for the handful of hobbyists who liked to assemble their own computers, who knew how to buy transformers and keyboards. For every one of them there were a thousand people who would want the machine to be ready to run.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

What's better: Apple Music or Spotify?

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Results from yesterday’s poll: Do you like tweaking your Mac's settings?

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