Spotify recently launched a music service that could revolutionize the way we listen to music. Although it’s been available for less than a month, its model for discovering and purchasing music has garnered rave reviews.
The difference between Spotify and other music services is that you pay to access their music library of 15 million songs rather than paying to download individual tracks, which is the iTunes and Amazon model. Spotify believes that full access is the future of music, rather than sales of digital copies via traditional consumer purchasing channels.
Using Spotify couldn’t be easier. You can quickly search for your favorite track, album or artist, then instantly begin streaming the music, flag it as a favorite or add it to a playlist. Spotify’s “What’s New” tab allows you to discover new and popular music.

Spotify made significant strides in allowing for legal sharing of music with its Facebook integration. Users can opt to have a profile page that displays their top tracks, artists and playlists, and can subscribe to a friend’s or teammate’s playlist to share favorites. It’s a great way for teammates to build custom playlists to motivate each other during workouts or before games.
Most of these features are free with Spotify’s ad-supported plan [a few ads appear on the music player, running interspersed among the songs]. However, the free plan is by invitation only, so you have to wait patiently to gain access. For instant access and to eliminate ads, Spotify offers an unlimited plan for $4.99 per month. For the ultimate experience, including off-line music and access to Spotify on your mobile device, they offer a premium plan for $9.99 per month.
For more information, check out Spotify.com.