Launched in Sweden in 2008, Spotify is a service that lets you stream music from a library that is so extensive that it would take 80 years of non-stop listening just to get through it.
As well as letting people listen to anything from golden oldies to the latest hits on their computer, Spotify also has a number of smartphone apps to allow for music on the move. There are also Spotify apps on other services, such Virgin Media’s TiVo set-top box or Sonos speakers, and deep-integration with Facebook to make music more social.
Features and benefits of Spotify
- Listen to music for free.
- Can be used on almost any computer.
- Playlists can be created and shared to save your favourite music.
- Share what you are listening to with your Facebook friends.
- Apps from companies like The Guardian newspaper and Rolling Stone magazine that help you discover new music.
Disadvantages of Spotify's free version
- Regular advertisements interrupt your listening experience.
- Music can only be played on your computer, not on any other device.
- You’re allowed to listen to a particular track only five times.
- You’re limited to 10 hours of play per month.
- New users must have a Facebook account to sign up.
Premium 'paid for' Spotify
- You can use Spotify as an app ‘on the go’ on iPhones and Android, Symbian, Windows phones and BlackBerry.
- In May 2012, an app was released for the iPad.
- New users must have a Facebook account to sign up.
- Combine your Spotify playlists with music you already own.
- Offline mode to play music if you’re not connected to the internet.
- Take your music abroad.
- Higher sound quality.