Mike Butcher:
Streaming music service Spotify – born in Sweden but currently taking the UK and the rest of Europe by storm – has released a video of the iPhone app which they’ve just submitted to Apple, which means it could be out in a few weeks. They’ve also revealed more of their business model – mobile access on any device will require a premium subscription.
Interestingly, you’ll be able to use the app when there is no wireless connection. The application has an offline mode that allows users to temporarily cache playlists to their phone for use when there is no connection.
The idea of a cacheable playlists would be great, especially since the selection of music is precise like a jukebox, as Butcher says. Currently with Last.FM, Pandora, and most other iPhone music apps, they are merely streaming players that can’t operate at all without a connection. Lets hope this one gets through the impenetrable Gate of Apple™.