Amazon has made available its music streaming service named Amazon Music Unlimited. This service joins the likes of Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal which offer unlimited access to millions of music catalog that are available for streaming or download for a monthly fee.
Amazon Music Unlimited - Price and Features
The Verge reported that Amazon has made lot of features that differentiate its take on music streaming service against its competitors. However, the biggest factor that would attract subscribers is its pricing. Amazon sets the monthly service at $7.99 or for $79 a year, which is lesser than what Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal are charging for their premium accounts.
Amazon's music streaming service is almost identical to what its rivals offer. Same with Apple Music or Spotify, Amazon Music Unlimited gives subscribers access to millions of songs in its library and an option to use the service to various platforms for iOS, Android, and desktop, including the Amazon-branded devices like Fire tablets and Echo. Other added features are lyrics integration and background downloading of songs that Amazon Music Unlimited thinks the subscriber would be listening to when off-line.
GeekWire reported that Amazon Music Unlimited also has a unique feature called "Side-by-Sides" where artists provide commentary along with their music. Some notable musicians that has been tapped in for the feature include The Chainsmokers, Jason Aldean, Sting, OnerRepublic, Lindsey Stirling and Norah Jones with Amazon saying more are still to come.
The Music Streaming Service's Echo Integration
In the same report, the service integration with its Echo devices was emphasized. Subscribers who own Echos can initiate the service via voice commands through Alexa. The A.I., using the music streaming service, can follow commands like "Play Justin Bieber's latest song" and "play workout tunes." It does not only play a themed playlist like Spotify, it studies what genre the user has been listening to then use it as reference in suggesting the music.
Signifying Amazon's target of getting subscribers to use the music streaming service to its smart home speaker, a discounted monthly rate of $3.99 can be availed by Echo owners. The service will be limited to the Echo though, unlike the cross platform ability of the full-priced subscription.
Amazon music streaming service may have arrived at a crowded time with Spotify and Apple Music leading the pack. However, the company's interesting move of incorporating the service to the already popular Echo and some added features that differentiate it from the pack, Amazon Music Unlimited is something worth checking-out.
