Short summary: Amazon Music (the “Amazon Music: Songs & Podcasts” mobile app) is Amazon’s streaming app for music and podcasts. It offers a free, ad-supported tier plus extra features for Prime members and paid tiers (Amazon Music Unlimited). Recently Amazon started rolling out a new AI feature, Alexa+, inside the app to help you search, make playlists, and explore music using natural conversation.
What the app is and who it’s for
Amazon Music is a full music and podcast player you can install on Android and iPhone. It’s for casual listeners who want radio-like discovery, Prime members who want bundled ad-free listening, and people who want a bigger catalog with a paid plan (Amazon Music Unlimited). The app shows songs, playlists, podcasts, and (for some users) music videos and artist pages.
Key features (easy list)
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Free tier with ads: You can listen to some stations, playlists, and podcasts for free with ads — no credit card needed.
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Prime benefits: If you have Amazon Prime, you get a large selection ad-free as part of Prime (varies by country).
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Amazon Music Unlimited: Paid tier with access to 100+ million songs, ad-free podcasts, and extras (offline downloads, higher-quality audio). (Amazon Music)
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Offline listening: Download music or podcasts for offline use on your phone. (Google Play)
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Playlists & discovery: Curated playlists, mood/genre stations, and algorithmic recommendations. (Amazon Music)
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Voice help inside the app (Alexa+): A new conversational AI (Alexa+) can take complex or fuzzy requests like “make a playlist for evening studying, no vocals” or “find that song from the movie I watched last week.” It’s rolling out to early access users now. (The Verge)
What’s new / Why Alexa+ matters
Amazon recently integrated Alexa+ into the mobile Amazon Music app. This is more than a simple voice search — it’s an AI assistant designed to hold a short back-and-forth conversation, refine requests, and build playlists from complex prompts (mood + era + exclusions, etc.). For listeners, that means easier discovery when you can’t remember a title or want a very specific playlist. Early reports say Alexa+ brings Amazon closer to other streaming services’ AI features, but inside the same app experience. (The Verge)
Pros (why many users like it)
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Good value for Prime members: Prime users often get a large library included, which can be cheaper than subscribing elsewhere. (Google Play)
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Big catalog on Unlimited: If you pay, you get access to 100+ million songs and podcasts. (Amazon Music)
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Works with Alexa devices: If you already use Echo or other Alexa devices, Amazon Music integrates smoothly across devices. (Amazon Music)
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Simple interface: The app focuses on discovery and easy playback; many users find it straightforward to use. (Google Play)
Cons and things to watch out for
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Regional differences: Features and library size can vary by country. What Prime includes in one country may be different in another. (Google Play)
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Competition: Other services (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music) may have slightly different discovery tools, exclusive releases, or social features some users prefer. (Tom's Guide)
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AI rollout limits: Alexa+ is rolling out in Early Access first, so not every user gets it immediately. Expect gradual availability and feature polish over time. (The Verge)
How to get the most from the app (quick tips)
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Try the free tier first to see if the interface and recommendations fit your taste. (Google Play)
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If you have Prime, check what’s included before upgrading to Unlimited — Prime often gives good value. (Google Play)
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Use downloads for offline listening (especially when traveling or on limited data). (Google Play)
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Try Alexa+ when available — ask for very specific playlists (mood, tempo, or instruments) and compare results with other services to find what suits you. (The Verge)
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Explore podcasts — the app mixes both music and podcasts, so you can keep everything in one player. (Amazon Music)
Short comparison with rivals (one-paragraph)
Amazon Music’s strength is its tie to Amazon services (Prime and Alexa), and a large paid catalog on Unlimited. Compared to Spotify and Apple Music, Amazon focuses on bundling value for Prime users and now on in-app AI discovery with Alexa+. If you use Echo devices or already pay for Prime, Amazon Music often becomes the easiest and most cost-effective choice. If social features, broader third-party integrations, or exclusive podcasts are your priority, you may still want to compare other services. (Amazon Music)
Final verdict (simple)
If you want a straightforward app that combines songs and podcasts, particularly if you already have Amazon Prime or use Alexa devices, Amazon Music is worth trying. The new Alexa+ feature could make music discovery much easier once it is widely available. For those who want the biggest on-demand library and the most polished AI help, consider Amazon Music Unlimited and watch Alexa+ roll out.
Where to find it
Search for “Amazon Music: Songs & Podcasts” on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and install. You can also visit the Amazon Music website to learn about plans and features.