Spotify is to launch a free music streaming service for its mobile apps in a bid to challenge Apple’s new iTunes Radio programme, reports both the Wall Street Journal and TechCrunch.
Spotify has announced a press event for December 11th, and the two sources are anticipating a fresh mobile platform for Spotify in direct competition with iTunes Radio.
“The Sweden-based music company has reached licensing deals with all three of the global music companies to use their recordings on the new service,” the Wall Street Journal claims.
“The new ad-supported offering will allow nonpaying mobile users to play a limited number of songs on demand, but will mostly serve up music based on the user’s input, much like custom radio services such as Pandora.”
Until now, only users with paid subscriptions have been able to access Spotify’s mobile platforms, but those restrictions could be relaxed if the rumours prove correct, although TechCrunch believes non-paying customers will still be unable to browse and listen to music, and instead will be given ‘more freedom to listen to their previously compiled playlists or starred collection of songs’.