Airbuds Widget App Review 2024 — A Social Music Listening App that Actually Works
Airbuds is a free app that makes listening to music social.
The design and concept of this app is genius. It incorporates Apple’s (fairly new) widget feature and the seamless UI of a social media app, while at the same time, not being overwhelmingly stimulating.
UI
The main page of the app is a UI similar to that of TikTok or Instagram Reels, except, instead of a short video or picture, it focuses on simply the singular song, featuring its album cover. Additionally, there is the profile picture of the friend who listened and a list of reactions at the bottom. Furthermore, there is an option for an audio preview of the song if it allows. You can continue to scroll until the list of songs your friends have recently listened to ends.
Besides the friends’ profile pictures, you can find reactions other people have already sent as well. If you click those, you can see who sent each one.
Overall, I’m glad that it doesn’t present much visual content, but rather, focuses on simplicity. Maybe this is due to the fact the app is in its early stages, but I’m glad it hasn’t adopted a more “busy” app UI. For example, on Spotify, the artist, lyrics, and a small video clip (if applicable) accompany each individual song. Airbuds focus on the ease of viewing individual songs.
Features
- Reactions. This is the main feature of Airbus. Reactions you can send include all the possible emojis, and premade in-app texts such as “u good?” or “period.” You can unlock the option to create your own premade text reactions after inviting a friend.
- Profile. Each person also has a profile on Airbuds, where your recently listed, favorite songs, most played artists, list of friends, and replayed songs appear. To unlock a full list of the 5 most played artists, you must invite 2 friends.
- Messages. This feature can be accessed by either replying to a person’s song on the main page or clicking on a person’s profile and directly sending them a message. This is one of my favorite features because you can really connect over songs through texting rather than simply sending reactions.
- Questions. Users have the option to ask questions to their friends, and friends can answer with songs. A person can only view the rest of the answers if a song is submitted by themself.
- Statuses. If a status is set, all songs played will be recorded and shared with friends later.
- Weekly/Daily Recap. A daily recap is for you and your friends, focusing on an artist listened to multiple times in the day. A weekly recap displays songs that were on repeat during the week.
Pros:
- Seamless UI
- Free, no optional subscription. The only way you need to “pay” for certain features is through inviting friends, which is another thing that is genius- It is both a win for yourself and the app developers.
- Effective way of discussing music with friends and finding people who share your music taste.
- Very customizable in terms of discussing music and how you can react.
Cons:
- It only works with Spotify, Apple Music, and Musi (As of January 2024)
Conclusion
I can’t think of any more cons as of right now- I personally am a big fan of this app and consider myself (somewhat) addicted. Keep in mind this review is not sponsored or affiliated with the app!! I feel like it is a great way to combine listening stats and geeking out over music together. Right now I have less than 20 friends- and I hope to keep it that way.
Download the app here:
Let me know if you do! I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
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