In what would have been radical change a few years ago, your Amazon Fire TV can now stream songs from the Apple Music service.
This is the latest move from the iPhone maker to allow users to access its services on hardware made by rival companies.
Late last year, Amazon Echo smartspeakers started being able to stream Apple Music. And it came to Android tablets in January.
Thanks to today’s change, Amazon Alexa can also play songs from this streaming service on Fire TVs. There have been signs that this streaming service is coming to Google Home smartspeakers too.
All these moves are boon to anyone who can’t afford to put down $349 for Apple’s HomePod. An Amazon Fire TV Stick starts at $39.99.
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Services are Apple growth future
For years, Apple treated its various services as “sweeteners” to convince consumers to buy an iPhone, iPad and Mac. Anyone who wanted Apple Music needed to buy an Apple device.
But with sales of its iPhone cashcow slowing, the company is hoping to increase revenue from services to make up the shortfall. This requires expanding the reach of Apple Music. But that’s only the beginning.
Earlier this year, quite a few TVs with AirPlay 2 support built in were unveiled. These will enable iOS and macOS users to view movies and shows from the soon-to-be-announced Apple TV streaming service on a wide range of screens.
