We've already talked about how Houston absolutely loves One Direction, Carly Rae Jepsen and Gotye, that somewhat fun, catchy pop music that the regular radio stations play ad nauseum according to Spotify. Now the service is adding one more feature to it's already growing stature -- and it might kick Pandora swiftly in the nuts.
Spotify has added a new radio feature for its apps on iOS (iPhone and iPad), giving listeners access to an unlimited cache of tracks on the move. The mobile music market has been the great frontier for any streaming music service as in a sense it's now the first place people even hear new music.
When Spotify launched in the US in 2011, it was a game-changer for all involved. It gave the playlist, one of music's long-standing ideas a shot in the arm and almost made every music snob in the country (and anyone with a sense of making awesome mix CDs) a certified DJ. Playlists were swapped over social networks and the growth of the service grew exponentially.
With growth of course comes ambition and Spotify is about as ambitious a music service as they come.
By equipping free users with the power to essentially swap lists, save tracks and then some, Spotify is moving up the ranks to becoming the premium music service in the country, if not the world.
Similar to Pandora's "like-as-you-go" system, Spotify will allow listeners to personalize stations in real time, but what differs from Pandora is the recommendation feature that Spotify has been known for, which essentially creates an army of music snobs all due to a "if you like this, check this out" sort of engine.
Music apps, especially of the streaming variety, are becoming the norm, judging by how many people are still buying Adele's 21 LP as if it came out last week. Noticing the radio and the top singles of the day, album sales are dwindling save for maybe big artists.
It's almost safe to assume that the world (well, the music industry at least) is looking at Justin Bieber's sophomore album hoping that it will sell *NSYNC numbers on the first day out. Otherwise, people might as well continue to go the Soundcloud/NPR route by offering LPs up for free stream before actual retail consumption.
Oh, as far as what Houstonians will jam with Spotify in June after getting this new feature? It will still be Gotye and summer breakups will still have a "OhmyGod, she screwed me over" feel to it.
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