What is Spotify?

Find out what the new music service that just launched on American shores is all about. 

What is Spotify?
Spotify is a new on demand music streaming service that just recently debuted for American listeners to enjoy. European users have been already using Spotify for quite a few years now. It can be described as huge library of music available for listening anywhere and everywhere via a WiFi connection. The service is available through computers, receivers and cell phones, depending on what type of option you choose. Since the major US music labels have given their blessing to Spotify, you can be assured that the over 13 million songs, the company claims to offer, will definitely please users.

How much does it cost?
Spotify offers subscribers with three types of services to sign up for. There is a free version but it is currently limited to invitation only. With this type of service, advertisements will be included in between songs with a time limit as to how much you can stream. A $4.99 monthly plan removes the advertisements and gives subscribers unlimited streaming. The premium option at $9.99 per month, features unlimited streaming, no advertisements, play music offline and the ability to play the service on your cell phone and much more.

How does it compare to other music streaming services already out there?

It's different from services like Pandora or AOL Radio, in that users have more control over what songs they can choose to listen to. Whereas Pandora and AOL Radio were simply streaming radio stations at best. Spotify allows the creation of playlists as well. You can even share those playlists and have others listen as well. Unlike the iDisk service of MobileMe where you can only play songs stored online.



Where do I sign up?
You can sign up at Spotify's website. For now though, you'll have to wait for an invitation to use the free service. However, the two other fee-based options are available to subscribe to right now.