Apple Music Is Coming to Your Amazon Echo
Apple Music is set to land on your Amazon Echo on December 17, 2018. While subscribers can already listen to Apple Music through an Echo via Bluetooth, the Apple Music skill in the Alexa app means the two will start working seamlessly with each other.
Amazon and Apple are competing on several fronts right now, including smart speakers and music streaming. In the former, Apple has the Homepod and Amazon has the Echo, and in the latter, Apple has Apple Music, and Amazon has Music Unlimited.
However, Apple and Amazon have realized there are mutual benefits to teaming up.
How to Listen to Apple Music on Your Amazon Echo
Beginning the week of December 17, the Apple Music skill means Apple Music will be available on Amazon Echo devices. Apple Music subscribers just need to install the Apple Music skill in the Alexa app and link their account to start listening.
Once installed, Apple Music subscribers will be able to ask Alexa to play their favorite songs, artists, and albums, and Apple’s curated playlists. They can also stream radio stations built around genres, or listen to Beats 1 as it’s streamed live.
It’s Happening! @Amazon announces that @Apple Music will be available on Echo devices beginning the week of December 17.#Amazon #Apple pic.twitter.com/SJKMh6uGw8
— Nanda Vardhan (@_NandaVardhan) November 30, 2018
In a post on The Amazon Blog, Dave Limp, senior vice president of Amazon Devices, said:
“Music is one of the most popular features on Alexa. Since we launched Alexa four years ago, customers are listening to more music in their homes than ever before. We are committed to offering great music providers to our customers and since launching the Music Skill API to developers just last month, we’ve expanded the music selection on Alexa to include even more top tier services. We’re thrilled to bring Apple Music – one of the most popular music services in the US – to Echo customers this holiday.”
There are no additional costs to stream Apple Music on your Echo device. You’ll just pay the industry standard $9.99/month. Apple Music users who own an Echo Show or Echo Spot will be able to see album art, but not song lyrics (at least for the time being).
Amazon and Apple Start Playing Nicely Together
This is Amazon giving its Echo devices priority over Amazon Music Unlimited. Having already allowed Spotify, Pandora, and others to play nicely with its smart speakers, it was only a matter of time before Amazon did the same for Apple Music.
If you’re big into Apple Music here are our essential Apple Music tips, and a guide to watching music videos on Apple Music, Echo fans should read our review of the Amazon Echo Show, and learn how to change the EQ settings on your Amazon Echo.
Read the full article: Apple Music Is Coming to Your Amazon Echo
from MakeUseOf https://ift.tt/2RzqYy4
via IFTTT