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MusicMatch makes it easy to share music between streaming services
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If you've ever felt frustrated trying to open a shared link from a music streaming service you don't use, you're not alone. But sharing the next best Holly Humberstone song doesn't have to be difficult. A new app, launching today (December 12), is making it easier than ever to share and play your favorite tracks.

MusicMatch, developed by Patrick Hardy and Arthur Van Siclen, is a free app now available on iPhones running iOS 15. The app allows music lovers to open shared song links in either Spotify or Apple Music within the app. You can also play song links utilizing a Safari extension, without opening the MusicMatch app.

While the app sounds simple enough, we spoke to Hardy and Van Siclen to find out what motivated them to develop MusicMatch. Here's what we know about this new music app.

How to use MusicMatch

MusicMatch is free in the App store and available to download for devices running iOS 15. Copy your song, album, or artist link to your clipboard and then open the MusicMatch app. Select where the link will open, whether Apple Music or Spotify.

A Safari extension will provide the same convenience, but within the Safari web browser. To enable this, go to Settings > Safari > Extensions > MusicMatch > Enable All Websites > Enable MusicMatch.

MusicMatch on iOS 15

(Image credit: MusicMatch)

At this time, only links from Spotify that open in Apple Music will work with the Safari extension, but Hardy and Van Siclen are working on making Apple Music links work in Spotify on the web browser as well.

Where does MusicMatch fit on iOS?

As far as creating the app, Van Siclen handled the design and development of MusicMatch while Hardy focused on the integration of Spotify, Apple Music, and the Safari extension.

We asked them why they created the app in the first place.

“I’ve clicked so many Spotify links, found the song or artist name, then searched on Apple Music so many times. Every day.” Van Siclen explains.” Every time someone sends me a link I have to go through those steps. It’s onerous. I’m almost mad thinking about it now.” 

“Arthur and I have been sharing music with each other for years, but Arthur has always been on Apple Music and I've always preferred Spotify. We would go through the process looking up a track on the other's service then searching for that same content on another platform.” Hardy continues. “When Apple announced that Safari Extensions would be available on iOS 15, we realized that there was a pathway to make this process painless and automatic. We knew the pain first hand and were sure it would be useful to a lot of people who share music with their friends.”

MusicMatch iOS 15

(Image credit: MusicMatch)

While the app is a simple way of opening a music link, the two developers also discovered Safari Extensions on iOS 15 as another use-case for MusicMatch.

“When we heard about Safari Extensions coming to iOS we quickly identified this as an opportunity to solve this problem once and for all.” Van Siclen continues. “We made the Safari Extension, but understanding that extensions are kind of an esoteric, “pro” thing to set up, we decided to make the app fully functional itself. That was a good decision – my mom was able to use the app the first time she needed it.”

To macOS and beyond?

It’s only the first day of the app’s launch, but Hardy and Van Siclen aren’t stopping there. As you will see music links shared to you on other devices such as a Mac, there’s plenty of use cases where MusicMatch can help.

“Yes, we architected the app with cross-platform applications in mind,” Hardy explains. “We would love for MusicMatch to solve this problem no matter where customers are at. Our iOS app is just the start.” 

“MusicMatch will soon come to macOS as both an app and Safari Extension. It is built with SwiftUI and has great access to Apple’s modern cross-platform infrastructure.” Van Siclen adds.

Safari 15 in macOS 12 Monterey

(Image credit: Apple)

But if you only have an iPhone, the two devs have plans for a future update on iOS.

“We’re also excited to add support for Tidal, YouTube Music, Pandora, and the other popular streaming services.” Van Siclen continues. “The key goal we identified is to be reliable, so for the first few updates we are focused on ensuring MusicMatch does its job flawlessly for everyone.”

Finally, we wanted to know if Hardy and Van Siclen were big music users on iOS.

“Yes! I listen to jazz, and when we work together, we put on London Grammar, Javiera Mena, Kamasi Washington, and a lot of cross-genre artists.” Van Siclen explains.

“Music has always played an important role in our lives.” Hardy adds. “Sharing music that's inspiring, songs to practice on the guitar, or artists to learn from has always been at the core of a rich and connected life for us.”

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How to watch Crisis on Infinite Earths: order and online streaming details
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Featuring the greatest superheroes from the DC Comics canon, Arrowverse crossovers are now major events in the calendar of any TV fan and we're here to tell you how to watch Crisis on Infinite Earths in order this year.

Running across a number of the best superhero shows, Crisis on Infinite Earths is comprised of five episodes – one each of Supergirl, Batwoman, The Flash, Arrow, and DC's Legends of Tomorrow.

We don't want to spoil anything for you, but it's safe to say the superheroes are really up against it this year as the Anti-Monitor seeks to destroy the entire multiverse.

Whether you're a hardened DC Comics fan or simply looking for an easy way to get hooked on a new show, here's how to watch Crisis on Infinite Earths online and stream the crossover in the correct order – including all the free viewing options around.

How to watch Crisis on Infinite Earths from outside your country

If you're trying to access streaming content from the likes of The CW or NOW TV from abroad, you'll almost certainly be unable to due to geo-blocking restrictions. But there's an easy and perfectly legal workaround. Downloading one of the best VPNs will allow you to watch Crisis on Infinite Earths in order no matter where you are.

This simple bit of software changes your IP address so that you can access episodes live or on demand just like you would at home, making streaming The CW and NOW TV for free a viable option from anywhere in the world.

Watch Crisis on Infinite Earths: part 1 – Supergirl 

Crisis on Infinite Earths kicks off with Supergirl season 5, episode 9 as the Monitor and Harbinger assemble the world's greatest superheroes to take on the Anti-Monitor.

Watch Crisis on Infinite Earths: part 2 – Batwoman

Crisis on Infinite Earths: part 2 is Batwoman season 1, episode 9 – but it's a tricky one, especially for folks in the UK. That's because Batwoman has only just started airing on E4 in the UK and episode 9 isn't due to drop until May, messing up the running order as otherwise dictated by Sky. Folks in the US have it easier, though, as at the time of writing, it was still available to stream for free via The CW's website.

Watch Crisis on Infinite Earths: part 3 – The Flash

Next you want to watch The Flash season 6, episode 9, which is easy in the UK but has stopped streaming for free on the US on The CW's website. That means you'll have to buy it, unless you're in the States from abroad in which case using a VPN will allow you to re-locate yourself to locations like the UK where other streaming options may be available.

Watch Crisis on Infinite Earths: part 4 – Arrow

Keep watching Crisis on Infinite Earths in order by making for Arrow season 8, episode 8, which can currently be watched for free in both the US and UK.

Watch Crisis on Infinite Earths: part 5 – Legends of Tomorrow

Getting things underway in style, DC's Legends of Tomorrow season 5 kicks-off with the final instalment of Crisis on Infinite Earths – so you want Legends of Tomorrow season 5, episode 1 to finish watching this year's Arrowverse crossover in the correct order.

It first airs in the UK Thursday, April 2 on Sky One at 8pm – after which it'll land on the network's more affordable streaming sibling, NOW TV. In the US, you'll have to pay for it.

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Disney, Apple and Amazon join Netflix and YouTube in reducing streaming quality
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Desperate times call for desperate measures – and Disney, Apple and Amazon have now joined Netflix and YouTube in reducing the video quality of their streaming services across Europe.

The idea is to reduce the strain on internet networks across the continent, and it's something the European Union authorities have specifically requested in order to keep the digital traffic flowing.

Disney Plus is opening its doors in most of Europe this coming Tuesday, March 24, though the launch in France has been pushed back to April 7. According to an official statement, bandwidth use will be cut by a quarter.

Amazon has taken a similar approach with its Prime Video service over the last few days, promising to "reduce streaming bitrates whilst maintaining a quality streaming experience" in the European countries where it operates.

Putting the brakes on

While Apple hasn't made any official announcement yet, 9to5Mac has spotted a reduction in video quality in Europe in recent days – quite an aggressive reduction in fact, though it may even out over time.

Netflix and YouTube were the first streaming services to fall in line with the EU directive, though it now appears that everyone with a video platform is going to be taking steps to tackle the huge increase in people stuck at home.

While network operators have said they are confident that there's enough spare capacity in the system to cope with everyone becoming habitual binge watchers, it would appear that no one wants to take any chances.

As yet there's no sign of similar movies in the US or elsewhere.  At the same time, tech companies are busy pushing out trustworthy coronavirus information through apps and sites that are easy to access.

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