Don't get too excited about Spotify for iPhone

When I tried Spotify, the free on-demand music-streaming service currently available only in Europe, I was impressed by its iTunes-like user interface and how fast the songs loaded. So when I saw Monday's news that Spotify has submitted an iPhone app to Apple for consideration, I got excited.

(Credit: Spotify)

Then I read more closely: to use the mobile version of Spotify, you'll need a premium subscription. The service isn't available in the United States yet, but a premium subscription in the United Kingdom costs 10 pounds a month, which translates to about $16.50 at today's exchange rate.

That's in line with prices for other portable subscription music services, such as the Zune Pass or Rhapsody to Go. Those services aren't available for the iPod or iPhone, but Spotify's not doing anything groundbreaking here; it appears to be trying to fill a gap that Apple has left open by refusing to introduce its own subscription service.

The video demonstration also makes it look like users have to side-load playlists from their computer before accessing them on the device. I want what you get with the Zune Pass--the ability to stream songs on demand from any location with a Wi-Fi connection.

Corrected at 3:45 p.m.: This story mischaracterized a demonstration video for the application. It does show the ability to search Spotify for any song wirelessly. I got confused because it started with the caveat "playlists you've already created." It wasn't clear whether the search results were coming from those playlists, but they're not. My bad.

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[greggeaton]

It all comes down to caching music on the Iphone. If you could cache songs for use even w/out a connection - you've got a groundbreaking app. If not - you're no better than Slacker - which is great in itself but not a game-changer.

It's all up to Apple and I say there's no way they'll approve it with caching ability.

[hayden86]

I would like to correct your article. To my knowledge you can stream listen via wifi and via 3G. The slide-load playlists are so that you can listen to tracks whilst disconnected to everything.

[jasonteeman]

Its called Pandora....You can stream over wifi, and bands you want, and its free. Do some reasearch next time.

[pjhenry1216]

You miss the point of Spotify. You actually can make the playlists and choose what you listen to. Pandora just guesses (though does so pretty well). So no need to insult somebody. You're the one who completely misunderstood what was going on.

[El_Segfaulto]

Now that Pandora is limiting the amount that you can listen to every month this may no longer be an option.

[pcfish]

Read before you make a comment.

[fourthletter]

Why don't you just watch the demos for the android version Matt ? Would help you not to sound like an idiot.
Sideloading is actually an amazing feature, you can cache playlists and listen to them offline, pretty killer for a phone.

[ewelch]

Better to sound like an idiot than a jerk, no doubt.

[endless17]

...did you even watch the end of the video? It clearly shows the ability to search and stream any music in Spotify's database.

Fantastic article, Mr. Rosoff.

[jheflin]

If you would like to have what the Zune Pass provides try this: Sale your iPhone/iPod and get you a Zune.

[setgo]

Okay, but then what would I do for the lack of cool accessories and games that flood the iTunes music store? No, I don't think that I will "Sale" my iPhone.

[Kanttila]

The Spotify monthly price in europe is in fact £9,99 in UK or ?9,99 in Euro-countries. Funny enough the figure is the same. I would assume they price US Spotify accounts $9,99..

[RouteNote]

We also wrote a quick article about Spotify and how they are soon going to enter the USA market. Spotify has a lot of boundaries because their competitors are trying to block them.

http://routenote.com/blog/spotify-music-streaming-service-to-soon-launch-in-the-us-market/