Amazon will FINALLY allow you to play Apple Music on its Echo speakers as firms continue to mend relations

  • Apple Music subscribers who own Echo will be able to listen to Apple's library  
  • Comes just weeks after Amazon said it will sell Apple's new iPhone, iPad
  • Top brands are increasingly turning to the e-commerce site to reach customers

By REUTERS and CHEYENNE MACDONALD FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: | Updated:

Amazon revealed on Friday that Apple Music will become available on its Echo smart speakers starting Dec. 17, signaling increasing collaboration between the tech heavyweights.

Apple Music subscribers who own Echo devices will be able to listen to Apple Inc's library of 50 million songs, Amazon said in a blog post.

Earlier this month, Amazon said it would carry more Apple products globally in time for the holiday shopping season.

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Amazon revealed on Friday Apple Music will become available on its Echo smart speakers starting Dec. 17, signaling increasing collaboration between the tech heavyweights. File photo

Amazon revealed on Friday Apple Music will become available on its Echo smart speakers starting Dec. 17, signaling increasing collaboration between the tech heavyweights. File photo

'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,' said Dave Limp, senior vice president, Amazon Devices. 

'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.'

It comes just weeks after Amazon had said it would sell the latest editions of Apple's iPhone, iPad and other devices in the United States, Europe, Japan and India.

Apple also has a HomePod smart speaker, which uses the Siri voice assistant and competes against similar offerings from Amazon and Alphabet Inc's Google.    

The deal underscores how top brands such as Apple and Nike Inc, which long resisted distributing products via Amazon, are increasingly turning to the e-commerce site because it has become a critical channel for reaching customers. Amazon has taken a harder line on counterfeit goods as well.

As of Jan. 4, Amazon will rid its site of Apple products from third-party merchants not authorized by the Cupertino, California-based technology company. 

Still, shoppers will be able to find non-branded accessories - like headphones - that are compatible with Apple devices.

Third-party merchants will be allowed to sell as they have been through the holiday season, while Amazon will add Apple products to its official Apple at Amazon page.

The lineup will include the Apple Watch but not the Apple HomePod, a high-end alternative to Amazon's voice-controlled Echo device. 

Such competition in Silicon Valley has often come at the expense of customers.

Alphabet Inc's Google pulled its video streaming app YouTube from two Amazon devices last year because of several complaints against the online retailer, including its decision not to sell some of Google's products. 

HOW CAN ALEXA HELP YOU BUY YOUR GROCERIES?

Last June, Amazon released the Dash Wand, an Alexa-powered device that's essentially a 'kitchen assistant' and is meant to complement the Echo (pictured)

Last June, Amazon released the Dash Wand, an Alexa-powered device that's essentially a 'kitchen assistant' and is meant to complement the Echo (pictured)

Amazon’s Echo may help around the home, but the e-commerce giant's latest device is a designated kitchen assistant.

Called Dash Wand, the hand-held, Wi-Fi enabled gadget lets users add groceries to their online shopping cart via voice commands or by scanning the barcode on a specific product.

The Alexa powered device can also find recipes, convert cups to ounces, find nearby restaurants and more, and it is essentially free – users pay $20 for the device and get $20 off their next purchase. 

Users push the button on Dash Wand and either say what they need or scan the barcode on a specific product.

All items are then added to the user's online shopping cart on the platform.

Besides music, the Dash Wand has access to thousands Alexa’s features and skills.

It can turn down the lights, find recipes, recommend restaurants and more. 

And it is essentially free - it costs $20 and users get $20 off the first purchase made with the device. 

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Amazon now carries the Apple TV, but only after it became compatible with Amazon's Prime Video.

'We´re working with Amazon to improve the experience for Apple customers on their site and we look forward to those customers having another great way to buy iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac and more,' Apple said in a statement.

About 71 percent of Apple's sales in fiscal 2018, ended in September, were through indirect distribution channels like Amazon.

 

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