Watch out Pandora: New app brings Spotify to iOS
One of the main differences between Spotify and Pandora is the ability to listen to streaming radio on iOS--a new app called SpotON Radio may be a game changer for Pandora listeners.
Ever since Spotify launched its API for mobile developers last August, engineers have been hard at work designing apps that integrate the music service into iOS.
Now there's one that could spell trouble for Pandora--SpotON Radio.
This app by Swedish Application Development was released January 8 and is free (for now); SpotON Radio allows iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad users stream music directly on their devices--much like Pandora Radio. Features include access to more than 15 million tracks from Spotify and the ability to create personal radio stations, like and dislike songs, and share music with friends.
However, users must have a Spotify premium membership account--which costs $9.99 per month--and iCloud integration if users want to sync stations between devices.
"This product is not affiliated with or endorsed by Spotify" and available only through iTunes and on their site, the SpotON Radio developers wrote on their Web site. "We're lone gunmen, fighting the fight for a better interface to music packaged as the most beautiful user experience possible."
In November, Spotify launched a new app platform open to all developers allowing engineers to create free apps for the music service. Many of these apps can be found on Spotify's Web site, including Rolling Stone, Last.fm, and Pitchfork. However, these apps are available only for desktops--which is what makes SpotON Radio different.
Despite the future looking bright for Spotify (and SpotON Radio), it's unclear if music labels will continue to work with the streaming music service. In November, 200 labels pulled out, and artists such as Coldplay and Tom Waits said they weren't being compensated enough and therefore wouldn't distribute their newest albums through Spotify.