Available to stream on iOS, Android, Mac and PC via the Amazon Music app or on any Web browser, and shortly on the Echo, Echo Dot and Echo Plus, Amazon Music Unlimited has arrived with a new Australian playlist and original song.
The ability to stream the more than 45 million songs, thousands of playlists and personalised stations in Amazon Music Unlimited is now in Australia, and can be augmented by experiencing "the power and simplicity of listening to music with innovative voice controls powered by Alexa on Amazon Echo devices".
Within the catalogue is a collection highlighting local Australian talent, "accessible on-demand and ad-free with natural language voice controls powered by Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant".
It's the same kind of power that Google Assistant on Google Home devices with a Google Music subscription and that Siri on HomePod devices (and all iOS devices) with an Apple Music subscription can do today, too, with HomePod yet to officially arrive at retail on 9 February.
Even so, Amazon has established itself as a strong player in the intelligent assistant and voice control market with Alexa, Echo speakers, Alexa's compatibility with a wide range of today's connected devices, and Amazon's own music offering and Alexa augmentation, its service provides additional competition and choice.
Also launching today is the first song recorded for “Made In Australia”: an "Amazon Original playlist of newly-recorded covers of classic hits by local artists, including Betty Who, Bad Dreems and The Rubens available exclusively on Amazon Music Unlimited and released in full on 9 March".
We're told that "the first song is available to stream now by Australian country artist Morgan Evans, and naturally, new subscribers are tempted to "get started today with a 90-day free trial for a limited time by heading to the Amazon music website".
Amazon explains that its "Music Unlimited creates a ground-breaking music listening experience by combining an expansive catalogue of more than 45 million songs with innovative voice commands via Alexa".
"On the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Echo Plus, customers in Australia and New Zealand can find the latest hits and old favourites by simply asking Alexa.
"From requesting music by song, playlist, album title or artist name, to asking for music by mood, genre or era, Amazon Music Unlimited and Alexa make music discovery more fun and stress-free.
- "Looking for tracks by your favourite artist? Just ask, 'Alexa, play top songs by Kylie Minogue', and she’ll begin playing music by the acclaimed singer.
- "Want to hear a certain type of music? Ask, 'Alexa, play the ‘Top Country’ station', and she’ll curate songs based on each listener’s behaviour for endless playback.
- "Simply ask, 'Alexa, play happy pop songs' and an upbeat collection of songs will begin playing."
In addition to top hits by the world’s hottest artists, Amazon reminds us its Music Unlimited service "offers more than 150 locally-curated playlists and stations featuring popular and emerging artists from the region."
Tailored by local Amazon Music experts, the company says "playlists including 'Wonder Women' showcase talented female singers from Australia and New Zealand, 'Australian Rock Royalty' features five decades of music from rock legends, while 'Top 50 Australia' and 'Top 40 New Zealand' present songs from local charts, updated weekly so listeners can easily discover what’s trending and popular in their countries".
Over the last few years, the company proudly boasts that "Amazon Original has released hundreds of exclusive songs and numerous albums featuring both emerging and established artists from the pop, indie, country, Americana, roots, blues, alt-rock and genres, only available to stream and purchase from Amazon Music".
The sales pitch for Amazon Music Unlimited continues from Amazon as it states the service "includes ad-free listening with unlimited skips and repeat plays, and compatibility with devices to listen anywhere on iOS, Android, Mac and PC via the Amazon Music app or on any Web browser".
"Mobile listeners can explore the full catalogue and save playlists, stations, artists and songs for offline playback on their mobile device when they don’t have an internet connection."
So, what does it all cost?
We're told that "new customers can choose from three plan options offering full access to Amazon Music Unlimited, including the exclusive Echo Plan at A$4.99/month on a single Echo, Echo Dot or Echo Plus; the Individual Plan at A$11.99/month; or the Family Plan, allowing up to six members of a household to share a subscription for just A$17.99/month".
To experience Amazon Music Unlimited on Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Plus devices with Alexa built in, Australians can finally order them now "for shipping in the coming days."
In Australia, they'll be available from JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, Telstra, and Myer while New Zealand retailers include Noel Lemming and JB Hi-Fi.
As reported at iTWire, Amazon also announced that "hardware manufacturers can begin developing Alexa-enabled products for Australia and New Zealand with the Alexa Voice Service".
"Sonos and Anker are already planning voice-driven experiences for customers in Australia. Additionally, Australian and New Zealand developers are already using the Alexa Skills Kit to create localised Alexa experiences for customers.
"Australian developers building skills for Alexa include Coastalwatch, Qantas, Taste, TEN Eyewitness News First at Five, Westpac and NAB. Developers can join the Alexa team at upcoming workshops, webinars, and other in-person events to learn about building Alexa skills."
