Spotify updates its iOS app bringing streaming to non-premium users.

The music streaming giant have announced that ‘in the next few days’ an update will roll out for iOS devices. The update will bring with it a feature that was introduced last year just for the desktop application, Radio. The key thing here though is that the feature will be available to both the premium users and the free users!
Users will be able to generate ‘Radio stations’ using artists, albums, songs and spotty playlists, one other thing that also remains is the feature that Spotify loves so much, this is of course the social functionality which means that songs and the radio stations will appear in your friends’ Facebook timelines. Also with this feature comes the ability to create a playlist based on what your friends listen to.
The radio feature according to the company themselves will be coming to all major platforms in due course but for now iPad, iPhone and iPod users can expect the update in a few days.

You can see the full press release below:

Spotify Launches Free Mobile Radio in the US
Starting today, Spotify users in the US can play for free on iPhone and iPad. The latest update to Spotify’s iOS app includes the new radio feature, giving free users in the US access to an unlimited amount of music on the move. The update is now available for download in the App Store.
The new radio feature for iOS is seamlessly integrated into the Spotify service, creating an unmatched user experience of listening, discovering, saving and sharing music, from a catalog of more than 16 million songs.
Spotify users on iPhone and iPad can now:
Create limitless streaming radio stations from single songs, playlists, albums or artists Create an unlimited number of stations and listen as long as they like
Save tracks to Spotify playlists – any song that users "like" will be saved, so they can find the songs later
Personalize stations in real time by "liking" tracks to hear similar music Browse friends’ playlists and create radio stations based on their tastes.

Hear great new songs from Spotify’s state-of-the-art recommendation engine, based on what millions of real people are listening to
Access a catalog of over 16 million tracks
"Our focus has always been on creating an amazing user experience," said Charlie Hellman, VP, Product at Spotify. "The radio feature we’ve added to our iPhone and iPad apps gives users the ability to discover, listen and save what they like on the go – all within one app – for free."
Premium users of the Spotify iOS app will continue to have an ad-free experience. Free users in the US will hear advertisements from the following launch partners: Chevrolet, Durex, Heineken, Jim Beam, Lipton Iced Tea, Macy’s, McDonalds, Progressive, Red Bull, Taco Bell, Verizon Wireless, and Warner Bros – all of which are current Spotify advertisers.
The new Spotify radio feature will also be available to Premium users outside of the United States.

Source: Engadget

Posted by: Chris