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Spotify opens up free streaming on Windows Phone

Windows Phone users can now stream Spotify for free, no subscription required.

Lexy Savvides Principal Video Producer
Lexy is an on-air presenter and award-winning producer who covers consumer tech, including the latest smartphones, wearables and emerging trends like assistive robotics. She's won two Gold Telly Awards for her video series Beta Test. Prior to her career at CNET, she was a magazine editor, radio announcer and DJ. Lexy is based in San Francisco.
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Lexy Savvides

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Spotify

Spotify has finally opened up free streaming for Windows Phone users.

Android and iOS owners have had the luxury for some time, with the streaming service allowing users on a free subscription to listen to music on their mobile devices since December 2013.

For Windows Phone users, it's been a long time coming.

Previously, they were only able to stream via the Spotify app with a premium subscription, which includes ad-free mobile and offline listening for $9.99, £9.99 or AU$11.99 per month. Now, Windows Phone streams free via the shuffle play option.

Like the free subscription tiers for Android and iOS, Windows Phone users can access existing playlists and shuffle tracks rather than listen to songs on-demand.

Spotify also offers the ability to shuffle play artist catalogues and browse for playlists based on mood or genre.

"We're excited to see Spotify made available for free on Windows Phone," said Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Corp. "This puts a much-loved listening experience in the hands of Windows Phone fans across the world, and beautifully showcases both our platform and the Spotify service."

Spotify is available in 57 markets across the globe, with the company announcing a total paid subscriber base of 10 million users worldwide.

Other tweaks to the app for Windows Phone users include improved presentation of search results and easier music discovery options. The update is available to download now from the Windows Phone Store.