Spotify Launched in Ireland

Daniel Ek

Spotify Launched in Ireland

The music streaming service Spotify has finally been launched in Ireland. The service has been available in other countries for some time, but Irish users were unable to access the service until this week — though especially determined listeners had evaded the restrictions by using an address in an eligible country, such as the UK.

By downloading a dedicated application, users can stream songs contained in the Spotify library for free. Users can also create and share playlists, or listen to a so-called radio station based on their favourite artist or genres. The free version is ad supported, so after every few songs the listener will hear a short ad. Premium services include add-free listening, higher quality audio and offline listening.

Users can sign up to the service using an email address or by connecting a Facebook account. Anyone using the Facebook login can opt to share the songs they are listening via Facebook, or view the songs that their friends are listening to.

Spotify is a Swedish company founded by entrepreneur Daniel Ek in 2006. The company has come under fire in recent times, because some commentators believe that artists are being exploited by the service — artists receive only a fraction of a euro cent for every stream.

spotify.com

Published on 14 November 2012

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