Today, Amazon launched its Cloud Player app for the Apple iPad and iPad Mini. This move enlarges Amazon’s already large music streaming market. This app will allow users to download or stream music stored in Amazon’s cloud, play music that is already stored on the device and allows users to create and manage playlists.
One of the key strategies of Amazon is to get this Cloud player on as many different devices as possible.
“We introduced our Cloud Player app for iPhone and iPod touch last summer and it’s been incredibly popular with our customers so we’ve now expanded it to iPad,” said Steve Boom, Vice President of Digital Music for Amazon.”Our goal is to make Cloud Player the most widely compatible cloud playback solution available, giving our customers the ability to buy their music once and enjoy it everywhere.”
Amazon does offer a free version of the Cloud player which allows users to store all MP3′s purchased from Amazon, along with an additional 250 songs from their computer (5GB). Amazon also offers a $24.99 annual premium subscription for those with large music collections, which can store up to 250,000 songs. Also, if you purchase a supported cd from Amazon, a digital copy of the cd will appear in the Cloud Player.
Amazon originally launched their cloud player for the iPhone and iPod Touch last June. Amazon also launched a browser-based version of their MP3 web store that was optimized for iPhones and iPod Touch earlier this year in 2013.
In a move to expand their reach, recently, Amazon partnered with Ford to bring their Cloud player app to vehicles that are able to accept this technology. During the summer of 2012, Amazon also brought the Cloud player to the Sonos Wireless HiFi system.
Early users of the new Cloud Player app have unfortunately found a glitch. When installing the update, the users’ book libraries are being deleted. Amazon has acknowledged this issue and currently recommends users do not install the update, especially if one has books saved. If deleted, users can simply re-sync with Amazon, to re-download all of the content that was saved.
Amazon has also issued this statement: “We have identified an issue with the app update that may cause your app to become deregistered. To register, enter your Amazon account e-mail address and password and all your Amazon content will be available in the cloud. We have submitted an update fix for this issue and are working with Apple to release.”
The Amazon Cloud Player App is available for free in the App Store on iPad.