Amazon already offers Prime Music as part of its Amazon Prime subscription package, but now it looks like the online retailer is looking to offer this music streaming independent from Prime while also giving a discount to users of the company’s Echo web-connected speaker.
Recode, citing industry sources, reports that Amazon could launch the new music subscription offerings as early as next month, depending on when it finalizes the necessary deals with record labels and music publishers.
The first service would cost $10/month and appears to be nearly identical to services like Apple Music and Spotify: unlimited, ad-free music you can stream or download to take with you anywhere.
Then there is an Echo-only option that would apparently offer the same type of service, but at around half the price ($4-5/month, according to Recode). The discounted rate isn’t just for being a good Amazon customer; it’s also a trade-off for sacrificing portability. That is, unless you regularly haul your cylindrical Echo speaker from place to place with you.
Amazon isn’t exactly a stranger to providing music to users. Subscribers of the e-commerce giant’s $99/year (or $10/month) Prime service receive access to Prime Music at no additional cost. However, the Prime library of songs is smaller than what’s available from the competition.
The e-tailer isn’t the only one looking to get into the streaming music subscription business. Last week, it was reported that online radio service Pandora is on the verge of offering a new monthly tier that would compete directly with Spotify.
Amazon wants to sell a cheaper music subscription service that will only work on its Echo player [Recode]
by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist
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