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Spotify launches on mobile phones | Spotify launches on mobile phones |
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Music streaming service Spotify has expanded its service to mobiles. | Music streaming service Spotify has expanded its service to mobiles. |
Phones using Google's mobile operating system Android, and iPhone users, can access the firm's four million tracks. | |
The application will also allow users to save more than 3,000 songs to play while offline. | The application will also allow users to save more than 3,000 songs to play while offline. |
However, unlike the free streaming service for computers, mobile users will have to pay a subscription charge to download and save music. | However, unlike the free streaming service for computers, mobile users will have to pay a subscription charge to download and save music. |
The iPhone application service was approved at the end of August; it had been submitted to Apple in July. | |
Although the application will be free to download, it will require the user to have a premium Spotify subscription, which costs £10. | Although the application will be free to download, it will require the user to have a premium Spotify subscription, which costs £10. |
The Swedish music streaming service is looked on as a rival to Apple's iTunes store because of its comprehensive, free library of millions of songs. | The Swedish music streaming service is looked on as a rival to Apple's iTunes store because of its comprehensive, free library of millions of songs. |
The day of reckoning has arrived for all those who believe that the future of online content depends on a mix of free and subscription content. Rory Cellan-Jones Read more of Rory's blog | The day of reckoning has arrived for all those who believe that the future of online content depends on a mix of free and subscription content. Rory Cellan-Jones Read more of Rory's blog |
Apple currently dominates the digital music market, which led many to speculate that the app may not be approved. | Apple currently dominates the digital music market, which led many to speculate that the app may not be approved. |
Credibility | Credibility |
However, many in the music industry regard Spotify as an alternative, and a credible business model for an industry which has had difficulty adapting to the online world. | However, many in the music industry regard Spotify as an alternative, and a credible business model for an industry which has had difficulty adapting to the online world. |
It is thought that one of the reasons Spotify was so keen to break into the mobile market was the requirement that users pay a subscription charge. | It is thought that one of the reasons Spotify was so keen to break into the mobile market was the requirement that users pay a subscription charge. |
Only about one person in 50 currently pays a subscription, with the rest using the firm's free streaming services. | |
Spotify, which launched in 2008, now has more than two million users in the UK, and more than six million across Europe. | Spotify, which launched in 2008, now has more than two million users in the UK, and more than six million across Europe. |
It has not yet launched in the United States, but says it intends to do so by the end of the year. | It has not yet launched in the United States, but says it intends to do so by the end of the year. |
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Rory Cellan-Jones tests Spotify's phone music service | Rory Cellan-Jones tests Spotify's phone music service |