[UPDATED] Amazon has launched is promised Music Unlimited streaming service, and like most Amazon offerings its main selling point is lower price.
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Amazon Music Unlimited has launched in the US with plans priced well below Spotify and Apple Music. Launches in the UK, Germany and Austria are planned for later this year.
Priced at $7.99 per month and $79 per year for Amazon Prime members, Music Unlimited offers full on demand access to tens of millions of tracks on any device. With the yearly plan that is $40.88 less than most of its competitors. Non-Prime customers can subscribe for $9.99 per month. Amazon is estimated to have 60 million Prime members who pay $99 per year for a bundle of services that includes free shipping and on demand video.
A Music Unlimited family plan is “coming soon” for up to 6 users and costs $14.99 per month or $149 per year. All plans offer a 30 day free trial. Android and iOS apps are available and add access to lyrics.
Amazon Music Unlimited On Echo For $3.99
The price for Music Unlimited really hits all time lows for on demand streaming when paired with any of Amazon’s voice activated Echo, Dot or Tap devices . $3.99 per month brings full Music Unlimited access to a single device. Multiple devices require a full $7.99/$79 plan.
Voice Activated Play By Lyrics, Playlist, Genre And Mood
When paired with an Amazon Echo, Dot or Tap, Music Unlimited responds to activated commands. “Play that song that goes ‘I can make your hands clap” and the Fitz And The Tantrums” track with that lyric plays. User can also launch a playlist by saying its title and name a mood or genre like “play me happy R&B music” and Music Unlimited complies.
Analysis
With 60 million Prime members and hundreds of millions of credit cards on file coupled with aggressive pricing, Amazon Music Unlimited is clearly a strong competitor. We’ll have to wait for user feedback to know how it compares to Spotify and Apple Music or how well it delivers on its promise of hands free delivery.
But Amazon Music Unlimited’s real gift to the music industry who are turned on to paid streaming thanks to lower price and easy hands free playback. While a few users may switch services to save, Music Unlimited’s real play is for users new to streaming music and those 100 million Spotify customers reluctant to pay.