Spotify
Spotify is a music streaming service that emerged from the Swedish startup Spotify AB. Spotify lets you listen to music on your desktop, tablet and smartphone without downloading. As is usual with streaming services, a music file is loaded on the cache so that it can be played back directly with the application. Spotify is available in the current version as both a free service with advertising, or as a paid version without advertising.
General Information
The music streaming service was founded in 2006 as Spotify AB by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon as an alternative to illegal music downloads. The company is still based in Stockholm, and the service is now available in numerous countries. In Germany, the market launch was delayed due to rights management, as Spotify offers digital music meaning that Spotify firstly had to purchase licenses from record labels. As GEMA administers these rights in Germany, there have been lengthy negotiations between the Stockholm-based company and representatives of GEMA, which were successfully concluded in 2012.
According to Spotify, artists receive a certain amount per streamed track. Some artists, however, do not make their music available on the music streaming service because the compensation is too low. The Stockholm-based company responded to this criticism with a transparent list of the remuneration model. The company was also criticized by data protectionists at the beginning, as it was only possible to stream the music in connection with a Facebook account. Spotify responded with proprietary software that can be downloaded and is independent of other programs.
Functions
Spotify can be used on different devices. It is available as a desktop version and can also be installed on mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. It can also be used in the web browser without the need for proprietary software.
With the free version, the user will hear regular advertisements, but a paying account can be obtained at under 10 Euro per month. Some mobile operators such as Deutsche Telekom entered into a cooperation agreement with Spotify, meaning that the service was integrated into various mobile phone contracts.
With a Spotify account, users can use various functions to find and listen to their favorite music. Various record labels can be selected, playlists are programmable or recommendations and discoveries can be used. Radio stations are also available - and Spotify offers its own radio function, where popular songs are played back automatically and user-oriented in a playlist. Those who use Spotify can recommend or share their streamed titles via Facebook, Twitter, Blog or via private messaging channels. their own blog by clicking on certain buttons. The current title is then shared in the respective network.