One after another, Spotify has just seen two heavyweights investing its meadow with free streaming music offers funded by advertising. The first salvo came from Google, which announced yesterday that YouTube Music was now available for free from a connected speaker Google Home and any other third-party brand compliant with the Google Assistant. To do this, simply select YouTube Music as the default service in the Google Home app that is otherwise compatible with all available streaming music services. Google says that “listening will sometimes be interrupted by 30-second commercial breaks.” This is a restricted version of YouTube Music that does not allow you to select a specific artist, song, or album, but to listen to thematic radios. For these options, users will be able to choose to switch to the paid version of YouTube Music Premium without advertising at 9.99 euros per month.
Amazon Music Available on Speakers and Echo Screen
Taking the plunge of Google, Amazon has also announced yesterday a new streaming music service for its free Alexa devices and interspersed with advertisements. Available now in the US, it will provide access to the best Amazon Music playlists and thousands of stations. It is specially designed for customers who own Echo devices compatible with the Alexa voice assistant, but who are not Premium members or subscribers to Amazon Music Unlimited. As at Google, customers will be able to choose to upgrade to the paid version of Amazon Music for extended features and listening without commercial interruptions. Amazon did not indicate whether the offer would be extended outside the United States. Free YouTube Music on Google Home is available in 16 countries, including France.
Reviewed by Tya Chyntya
on
September 27, 2019
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