Spotify allows users to download music
By Asavin Wattanajantra in Editorial
Posted in free, Spotify, music on
Spotify will allows users to download music for free on PCs, with an offline mode that will allow them to sync songs on to their computer.
Already available on the iPhone but only available to premium subscribers, subscribers are now able to select playlists and set them to be ‘available online’.
The playlists will be synced to the user’s computer so they can listen to music with slow connections, or if they have no connection.
Each computer will be able to store up to 3,333 tracks at a time.
Will this kick-start the paid-for Spotify revolution?
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Will Apple really approve the Spotify iPhone app?
By Asavin Wattanajantra in Editorial
Posted in Spotify, music, iPhone, Apple on
We’ve already covered the news that the Spotify has been developed for the iPhone, and I was away on holiday when this happened.
However it hasn’t been approved by Apple for the Apps store yet - and I am going to be very surprised if it does.
The reason for my doubt - I question if Apple is really going to allow an application on its precious device that could really make a big difference in the use of iTunes as a way to download and buy music.
I’m just thinking of the way it has made a difference to the way people listen to music on desktops. First of all with Spotify on my computer at home I’ve virtually stopped using iTunes as most of the music I want to listen to is already on the streaming service.
And also, if the Spotify app works like it should, then people will find it easier to buy music after they’ve streamed it on Spotify - not many people are going to listen to a song and then decide to go back to iTunes to download it.
To whet people’s appetite Spotify has already issued a video on what its app can do - but this will cut no ice with Apple - if there’s a reason to not allow the app in its store, it will not let it in.
The only reasons why I think Apple could allow the app is if it feels that Spotify is no threat to some kind of streaming service it is promising itself.
Spotify has also stuck rigidly to developer guidelines (so its says), and it could be persuaded that the simple move of allowing Spotify could encourage more people to purchase iPhones - as IT PRO editorial has already made clear for desktops - it’s that good.
It’s interesting to see what Apple does here.
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Good move Spotify - is streaming music the future?
By Asavin Wattanajantra in Editorial
Posted in streaming, Spotify, music on
I’ve already written on the joys of Spotify, and its been going from strength to strength recently - hitting a million users - although its still has its troubles.
However, news and features editor Nicole Kobie asked the question on how Spotify was going to make money, and it seems to have hit upon what I think is a pretty intelligent idea.
According to a report in the Telegraph, it intends to give a near CD quality sound upgrade for users who are willing to pay for its premium service.
This seems like a good move. It doesn’t leave existing users of Spotify listening to it for free short-changed, but it did provide an avenue for it to make some money out of a service that I think some people would actually sign up for - which might mean a bigger and better catalogue.
It also came to my attention that Top 40 bosses were considering offering to incorporate songs from music streaming sites, which also made sense. The days of free content on the internet may now be with us.
For instance - I haven’t bought a CD or bothered to download music for ages now, simply because wherever I am - be that work or home - I can stream all the music I need. And although it may not be of CD quality - its fine for my purposes.
It’s maybe funny and sad that one of the sites that popularised music streaming from band websites in MySpace, is completely going down the other direction as it loses traffic as well as workforce.
However as I said in March - there are ten very good reasons why Rupert Murdoch’s little baby is going down the drain.
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Is Spotify the future of internet music?
By Asavin Wattanajantra in Editorial
Posted in 7Digital, Spotify, Sweden, music, Apple on
Spotify is riding high on a wave of good publicity, signing a deal with 7digital that means users will be able purchase tracks - possibly giving iTunes a major run for its money.
If you haven’t discovered or used it, then what you are missing out on it is a free, legal music service that pretty much allows you listen to unlimited streams of virtually any track or album that you might think of.
Too good to be true you might say - there must be lots of artists and record companies that haven’t signed up. Although it does lack songs by the likes of the Beatles and Pink Floyd, it has struck deals with all the major record labels - load it up for the first time and you’ll be surprised at what you can listen to, with no fee.
The way they manage to make this pay is by is 20 minutes or so, hitting you with a short advert. Considering that listening to the radio many stations seem to hit you with a advert every second song, this isn’t too much of a big deal. Spotify is also trying to make its premium paid-for service more attractive to users - it remains to be seen how successful this will be.
Spotify celebrates its third birthday today, and their founder Daniel Ek has blogged about how the service first started with the aim of providing a way to allow listeners to be able to listen to whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, but without having to act illegally.
The next move for Spotify is to open up to a wider community, while at the same time respecting rights holders, as well as generating enough money to provide users with a decent service.
Ambitiously, it wants to be the platform for people to consume, manage and discover music.
Ek says: “To reach our goal it’s important for Spotify to be wherever our users are. Music should be accessible on your favorite platform whether that’s a social network, an IM service, a mobile device or a media centre in your living room.”
Personally, using Spotify has been great. It slaps the iTunes store with a wet fish, considering you’re only allowed to listen to any song by purchasing a track.
It also encourages you to listen to music you don’t necessarily have access to or just want to test out. I’ve listened to the entire back catalogue of Jimmy Hendrix and Stevie Wonder in this way - if you want to discover new music, this might be the best way that you can do it.
Importantly, it does have a role to play against piracy. Many people download songs because there is no other way to listen to them without having to purchase it online or buy a CD. This way, you can listen to the album for free, and then decide to purchase it if you want to keep it.
As one user commented: “Spotify really IS BETTER than piracy. Neither I nor many of my collegues have downloaded one single song illegally since we got Spotify accounts.”
Rated: 60% (2 votes)
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