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We’ve got just a couple of hours to wait to really find out what Spotify has up its sleeve, but according the Wall Street Journal, Spotify is set to offer an app platform similar to the way Facebook currently does.
Backing up what was rumoured yesterday, Spotify will apparently operate an app store akin to Apple’s walled garden; but all apps will be free and available to both paid subscribers and users of the ad-supported service. The apps will be limited to Spotify’s desktop program from the off, but pseudo-integration via playlists will be available on the mobile apps.
Some initial apps in the “app finder” will include apps to grab lyrics for songs playing now, a review and blog finder, which’ll pull in reviews for albums as you listen, as well as a concert finder and ticket purchasing system.
Apps on Spofity seems a rather unusual proposition considering Spotify is an app in and of itself. But it’s likely that most apps will come from brands, bands or company partnerships, at least in the short term — a Justin Bieber app perhaps. Anyway, we’ll know for sure this afternoon. [Wall Street Journal]
Thanks Jon!
5 Years ago, this would be called “plugins for your music player” and would be free to develop, publish and install.
These days, they’re ‘apps’ in a ‘store’ and require money on all ends to do exactly the same shit job (do you -really- need the lyrics for the song you’re listening to so much that it’s not simply easier to google it?).
Gotta love the way Apple’s changed the world…
No one’s saying you’re going to have to pay for these spotify apps (at least not yet).
I think the word “plugin” puts non techy people off, where as “app” is just enough of a loosely defined term to encompass a plugin whilst simultaneously generating an aura of accessibility that attracts people without a computer science degree.
Someone like my dad is never going to install a plugin but an app is something he understands and wrapped up in a store that offers a seamless process he’s far more likely to install it. The curated (or semi curated in the case of Android) app store idea is an evolution over command line accessible advanced packaging tools (e.g. apt-get) and RPM Package Managers and app stores are a whole lot easier to use than those tools so I’m happy for them to stay.
Also (as far as I’m aware) every platform other than iOS which requires you to own a Mac and have an apple developer account is free to develop for.
You’re welcome
Bit disappointing really but we’ll see what devs can come up with. Might have a bash at coding something myself if I can come up with something interesting.