Spotify launches iPad app

https://www.spotify.com/us/ipad/

by abhinavsharma • 14 years ago

45 32 14 years ago

TamDenholm• 14 years ago

About damn time, i've been waiting for this for ages. I abandoned MP3's when i signed up for spotify years ago. I like using my iPad and my bluetooth speakers as a stereo system with a decent remote control so having a proper interface now makes the experience much better.

Well done spotify! Now go sort out the record labels that dont like streaming so i have a full library.

CrazedGeek• 14 years ago

Even if they get the rights to more music from more labels (and maybe even as a result of that), there will still be a decent amount of independent artists who simply won't put their music on Spotify for multiple good reasons.

I'm not going to demonize Spotify for doing these things, but if their business practices mean that I can't listen to the music that I want, then I have no reason to use their service.

[1] http://www.stevelawson.net/2011/12/why-ive-taken-my-music-of...

[2]: (warning: will autoplay video; important bit is the linked comment) http://www.youtube.com/comment?lc=nDvhKYygZTshP0TGDq8ZjxVo0M...

[3] http://gigaom.com/2011/12/11/why-spotify-can-never-be-profit...

jaz• 14 years ago

This is great news. The iPhone interface was woefully inadequate on the iPad.

ChrisLTD• 14 years ago

I loved the little video they made for it. Especially the x2 joke at the beginning.

frou_dh• 14 years ago

Like the iPhone version, you need to be a premium subscriber to steam anything. Myself I have the cheaper plan that's only good for the desktop app.

danh2• 14 years ago

Now, if they only could sort out the iPhone app as well. It uses a lot more CPU (and corresponding battery) than other audio players (probably due to its Vorbis use), and skips as soon as the os is busy doing something else.

sxsde• 14 years ago

Indeed! The current iPhone app is very buggy...

allbutlost3• 14 years ago

The new app is a universal binary which also includes iPhone updates, so it might be worth downloading the update and seeing if it fixes any of your issues.

danh2• 14 years ago

It doesn't seem to fix anything, unfortunately, as far as I can tell after a quick test.

why-el3• 14 years ago

Has anybody tried their Linux preview? I am thoroughly impressed, so far its the best app on my Ubuntu in terms of UX.

trimbo• 14 years ago

Yes, I use it all the time. I believe it's QT app, which might help explain the robust UI.

nuclear_eclipse• 14 years ago

I also use it, and confirm it uses Qt and QtWebkit. Other than some finicky setup to get it to play local MP3s on Arch, it works wonderfully.

Also, for Gnome-using friends, I created a python wrapper for Spotify to map Gnome's media key events to the type that Spotify is expecting, so that I can use my keyboard to control the music. https://github.com/jreese/spotify-gnome

badboy• 14 years ago

Does it work for free users yet? Last time I tried it didn't. I would like to test their service before I pay them.

scpike• 14 years ago

It worked for me on ubuntu as a free user, even though the site said it wouldn't. I did experience issues with the ads getting stuck visible over the interface, but the audio worked fine.

koeselitz• 14 years ago

Yes, it works for free users now - at least it worked for me (I have since gotten an account.) I was using the Windows client via Wine, which worked surprisingly well until an update killed it a few months ago. During the same update, however, the Linux Preview began working for free users. I'd try it again if I were you.

hej• 14 years ago

Impressive work! It’s a really nice app, not just normal and boring, not a visual mess, a joy to navigate. If only I could convince myself to pay.

simonbarker87• 14 years ago

Finally, spotify should transition marvellously to the bigger form factor - AirPlay enabled would be great to

allbutlost3• 14 years ago

Airplay should indeed be available for you in the iPad app - see http://www.spotify.com/us/about/spotify-on-ipad/

bni• 14 years ago

It also enables the AirPlay button in the iPhone app. So now you dont have to fiddle with the built in iOS controls. It also seems to work better now, the music starts faster for example.

Now if they only enabled AirPlay in the Mac app...

ctdonath2• 14 years ago

spotify.com's "Sign Up" button takes me (in USA) to the "Not Available [in your country]" page. Any insights?

davidcollantes• 14 years ago

Same here. Picking international, and then USA doesn't change anything. As of now, a worthless app on the iPad. Perhaps first day launch issues?

allbutlost3• 14 years ago

It's a known issue and is being worked on, last I heard.

ctdonath2• 14 years ago

Fixed. And you must consent to it using Facebook:

"You need a Facebook account to register for Spotify. If you have an account, just log in below to register. If you don't have a Facebook account, get one by clicking the 'create an account' link below."

This includes letting it post messages as you. Guess I won't be using it.

alexgaribay• 14 years ago

I'm definitely liking the iPad version. It's way easier to navigate compared to the iPhone version. I'm very pleased with the app overall.

Derbasti• 14 years ago

I used to be a subscriber to Spotify, back when I had to jump through crazy hoops to be able to subscribe to it from Germany (involving a VPN, entropay and paypal with a fake address).

I have since moved on to Rdio, which does not have as good a music selection (in Germany) but this awesome "artist radio" feature, which is kind of like Last.fm or Pandora, but better. I absolutely LOVE this feature.

Does Spotify have something like this? It did not when I last checked.

Also, does the iPad app work with AirPlay without going through the multitasking switcher?

I think Spotify has by far the best music selection out there. Also, that high-quality option is very much appreciated.

dkasper• 14 years ago

Yes, Spotify has a radio feature.

trebor• 14 years ago

I can't find it in the iPad app, so if it does have a radio feature it's not very accessible one.

Tycho• 14 years ago

Is this any use to users on the lower tier subscription? (ie. desktop only streaming, not mobile)

Spotify launches iPad app

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