Spotify Has Arrived! (First Impressions and Invite Giveaway!)

Posted: July 14th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Articles About Music | Tags: , , , , , , , | 7 Comments »

In the world of music, when an “invasion” occurs on American shores it’s usually bringing something good. Today, Sweedish start-up Spotify has opened it’s doors to the listening public.

Previously available in Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom Spotify brings 15 million songs to the fingertips of users. In the age of sites like Grooveshark, Pandora and YouTube what makes them different? Ease of use.

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Just download their desktop player and see for yourself. It integrates with your existing library to maximize what you already have and make it easier to stay up on what those artists are doing right now.

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And the best part is that it’s free, or rather it starts out that way. Available in three different flavors, Spotify is about to give Google Music, Amazon Cloud Player, and iTunes Cloud Match a serious run for it’s money.

 

  • Spotify Free – the unsurpassed free music service. With an invite, enjoy on-demand, buffer-free access to over 15 million songs on your computer and great social features. Manage your own music files through Spotify, and sync with your cellphone or iPod. Features occasional advertising.
  • Spotify Unlimited – all the special features of our free service, but with uninterrupted, ad-free access to Spotify on your computer. All for only $4.99 a month.
  • Spotify Premium – the top-of-the-range Spotify experience. Premium gives you access to all the music, all the time. Listen online or offline, on your computer, your cellphone and a whole heap of other devices. Enjoy enhanced sound quality and access to exclusive content, competitions and special offers. Premium costs just $9.99 a month. (That’s the equivalent of a couple of fancy coffees.)

From Spotify’s Blog

 

I’ve only been using it for a few hours, and here’s what I like about it:

  • iTunes Playlist importing and Playlist Folders
  • Offline Caching for Desktop and Mobile (iOS)
  • Last.FM Support Baked-In for Desktop and Mobile

But there are still things I want:

  • A Web-based listening solution
  • Android support(Update: Android is supported. I just wasn’t looking hard enough)
  • Google+ Integration

I’m sure some of that is coming, but until then I’m pretty content with their offerings. Definitely enough to pony up the $10 entry fee on day.

As a bonus for IHYEB readers we have TWO Spotify Free invites to give away. Leave a comment below about what you think of Spotify and be sure to put your email in the email box when you hit submit. We’ll pick two winners tomorrow (July 15, 2011) at about 5 p.m. CST.

7 Comments on “Spotify Has Arrived! (First Impressions and Invite Giveaway!)”

  1. 1 Jon Odom said at 2:14 pm on July 14th, 2011:

    I love the idea of legal Napster, which is what I understand Spotify to be a lot like. Really hope to try it out soon.

  2. 2 Sarah said at 3:30 pm on July 14th, 2011:

    I got to play with Spotify for one day (via a weird hack where I just had to give a UK address…anyway). It didn’t work the next day and, even though I’d only spent a few hours with it, I felt like I’d been forced to quit cold-turkey. I hope this leads the way in rejuvenating the music industry and getting people interested in listening to music again.

  3. 3 Adam Ricks said at 10:06 am on July 15th, 2011:

    I love a music company that embraces a concept of letting the listeners/customers get a great deal on their favorite music. I think it will allow people to open their minds to new artists and new ideas in music.

  4. 4 Jon Odom said at 10:40 am on July 15th, 2011:

    I got an invite. Don’t give it to me.

  5. 5 Administrator said at 10:41 am on July 15th, 2011:

    Haha. Will Do. What do you think so far?

  6. 6 Adam Ricks said at 11:32 am on July 15th, 2011:

    I received an invite as well so do not give me one either! Very interesting experience with it thus far. I am enjoying it.

  7. 7 Radhika said at 12:38 am on July 18th, 2011:

    Any invites left? I’ve been waiting to try spotify forever, such raving reviews.