Shane Cole
Swedish music streaming service Spotify on Wednesday released an update to its iPhone and iPad apps that officially enables new subscription-free streaming features the company promised last month.
Users accessing the Spotify service on their iPhone can now stream any artist's entire catalog without a paid subscription, though playback is restricted to shuffle mode on Apple's handsets. Both user-created and Spotify-curated playlists can also be streamed at no cost with the same shuffle-only restriction.
Those using the service's iPad app, however, are not subject to the same limitations. The update allows tablet owners to stream any song at any time, though audio advertisements will still be present.
Spotify previously required mobile users to have a paid subscription as a condition of its licensing agreements with music labels. Word that the company was seeking to eliminate that constraint surfaced last February, and the new plans were officially announced in December.
Increasing pressure from established competitors like Pandora and new threats such as Apple's iTunes Radio, which offers ad-supported streaming for free on most Apple devices, is believed to have been the catalyst behind Spotify's decision. Despite its popularity, the service continues to hemorrhage money and was forced to seek $200 million in new venture financing last November.
Spotify version 0.9.2 is available now as a free, 35.4-megabyte download from the App Store.
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7 Comments
I have had this option for a month.
It amazes me that consumers are fine with paying $50-80/month for TV service and $10-20/month for movie services like Netflix, but don't see a problem with paying nothing for the music they listen to. As a musician and songwriter, I see services like Spotify, Pandora and iTunes radio as robber barons that are raping the music industry and the people using these services simple turn a blind eye.
It amazes me that consumers are fine with paying $50-80/month for TV service and $10-20/month for movie services like Netflix, but don't see a problem with paying nothing for the music they listen to. As a musician and songwriter, I see services like Spotify, Pandora and iTunes radio as robber barons that are raping the music industry and the people using these services simple turn a blind eye.
Artists don't understand that they will in fact make more based on volume with this service. It baffles me that people can't do the math. More users=more plays=more money and exposure.
Secondly, how is this news now? This launched over a month ago.
I'm glad it is news though, I hadn't realised this feature had been introduced :)
I wish iTunes Radio would have gone more toward Spotify and less like Pandora. I don't think how iTunes Radio chooses music for you and "tries" to learn (and in my experience fails).