The debate goes on as to how good subscription-based streaming services are for the music industry, but it's clear that adoption is on the rise. While Spotify revealed that it had reached two and a half million paying subscribers at the end of 2011, it's already hit the three million milestone before January is out. That's three million people making monthly payments of either $4.99 / €4.99 / £4.99 for ad-free listening, or $9.99 / €9.99 / £9.99 for mobile streaming — over 20 percent of the service's active user base. Of course, the most potentially significant driver of Spotify's growth is its recent launch in the US, along with its integration into Facebook, and managing director Ken Parks told the Financial Times that the plan is to keep expanding into new markets.
Spotify now has over three million paying subscribers
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That’s incredible! I am paying for the mobile service because that’s all I ever use. I hated and didn’t use the Facebook integration, especially with all the “new” linking features. I also never use the desktop version. Much easier than buying songs, except for Coldplay and Adele. They both got my money this year :)
Just as a random side note, I never go over 2gb with Verizon (I have unlimited anyways). I listen every day in the car for at least 30-40 min.
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 10:43 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Spotify is a service that I see all over the place, teachers use it, other students use it, and overall it’s really popular. But I don’t see a whole lot of people using the competition like Rdio and MOG. Personally I use Rdio since I like the web app.
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 11:02 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s funny. I’m the complete opposite: the idea of a web app is a complete non-starter for me. I prefer desktop apps with syncing capabilities, which is something Spotify does decently well.
I did try Rdio’s desktop app (a few hours ago), but something about it doesn’t seem quite right. The app is unresponsive but not overly so—just enough to make it seem unnatural. This is a shame because Spotify’s desktop app leaves a lot of room for improvements.
Posted on Jan 27, 2012 | 12:13 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
That’s the same with me. I just wish they would improve their mobile apps.
Posted on Jan 27, 2012 | 12:18 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Paid subscrip with Rdio over here and really don’t see a reason to Spotify.
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 11:15 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Now if only the iPhone app wasn’t a steaming pile of human feces.
Posted on Jan 27, 2012 | 1:17 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
What’s wrong with it? I use it quite happily. Playlist management kind of sucks, but I do all my management on the desktop app.
I wish they baked in a remote control to the phone app that could control the desktop app (I know there are 3rd party solutions).
Posted on Jan 27, 2012 | 6:15 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I agree. The navigation and ability to discover new releases or new-to-you is not very easy without signing your life away to Facebook. However, some might see that as my own choice for not wanting to connect the two.
For the most part, I use the iTunes Store to see the new releases and then move over to Spotify and listen.
Posted on Jan 27, 2012 | 12:28 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Well, since I am in the EU Spotify is the only option since Rdio, MOG, Google Music etc. are not available over here. The desktop app is great, In general the service is good for music discovery. I just wish the mobile apps were improved since they are the main reason why people pay for the service.
Posted on Jan 27, 2012 | 4:32 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I believe Spotify has definitely proved to be worth the $10/month so far. The app add-ons within the desktop application are a step in the right direction, but there is room for improvement in both it and the mobile app. I want more organization options and the ability to plug-in those app extensions on mobile.
Posted on Jan 27, 2012 | 10:51 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
They do advertise for free 30 days spotify premium at the moment, so part of this 500.000 increase might not be subscribers who have actually paid anything yet.
I wasn’t keen on Spotify before apps, too difficult to find playlists. But now with apps like We Are Hunted and Soundrop, its quite decent.
Posted on Jan 27, 2012 | 11:25 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I actually wanted to switch to Spotify when Napster was bought by Rhapsody. I like Spotify because it has one of the largest libraries and 320 kbps downloads and streaming. Unfortunately, the reason I had Napster was so 3 family members could use one account, but Spotify forces you to use your Facebook account to log in. I do not want to share one FB account among the family. So I went with MOG (it still has a non-FB) sign -up if you look hard.
Posted on Jan 27, 2012 | 2:36 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
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