Arjun Report post Posted July 19, 2011 Spotify, the streaming music service popular in Europe, launched in the U.S. today, after months of speculation. The service has signed deals with the four major music labels in the country, reported All Things Digital, finally giving the green light to launch. Spotify is a streaming music service that lets users create playlists and share them with their friends. For now, the free service is by invitation only, but it is expected to open up in the coming weeks. Paid plans are available immediately. The U.S. launch has three plans, much like the plans available in Europe. The free, ad-supported service gives users access to a number of tracks on Spotify through the Web, lets users organize and jam to their own music and gives access to Spotify Social. According to Spotify spokeswoman Alison Bonny, the free service that launched today has no time limits as part of an introductory offer, but Spotify will eventually cap users to 20 hours per month, the same model it has in Europe Spotify Social is the realization of the siteâ??s rumored Facebook integration, and it lets you post playlists to which your friends can subscribe. You can also import your Facebook friends into your Spotify profile and share tracks by using the serviceâ??s Inbox. The inbox lets you know who has shared a particular song with you and when they sent it. For $4.99 per month, users also get to ditch ads and get access to the Spotify radio mode. For $9.99 per month, you get mobile access to your playlists, access to offline modes for your desktop and mobile device and access to exclusive content. While some critics question the the impact Spotify might have on the U.S. online music market, some music experts say the service is worth the hype. As Elizabeth Flock explained: While music lovers wait for the free service, BlogPost got the lowdown from Merlin, a U.K.-based nonprofit music organization that represents more than 10 percent of all artistsâ?? tracks streamed on Spotify. In a Q&A, Merlin CEO Charles Caldas talks about whether Spotify is worthy of the hype, why independent music does so well online, and how to get that elusive invitation. Merlin represents independent artists that include Arcade Fire, Adele, The National, Spoon, The Strokes, Social Distortion, and Vampire Weekend. Is Spotify really worthy of all the hype? I think so. Spotify is the worldâ??s largest music subscription site. It has a great Web site, they understand how to be interactive â?? such as the way people can easily share playlists on Spotify, and they understand the digital economy. Many businesses like Spotify have come and gone because they failed to understand that you canâ??t just have the major labels. Listeners have tastes that are much deeper and broader. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 0
Villiska Report post Posted July 19, 2011 Finally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 0
Parumpapapums Report post Posted July 19, 2011 20hours a month? i listen like 5hours a day to music online :| Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 0
Aceman Report post Posted July 19, 2011 I don't rly care about spotify :S Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 0
Livvii Report post Posted July 19, 2011 I have it, it's good :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 0
niagro Report post Posted July 19, 2011 nice but they dont invite u Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 0
The Man Report post Posted July 19, 2011 Its a great idea but 20 hours a month can suck my dick..Ill just stick to my way of listening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 0
Phillip Report post Posted July 19, 2011 Been waiting on my invite a few days now :X Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 0
