Spotify launches in New Zealand and Australia today
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Update: Slingshot CEO Mark Callander says it has been difficult to offer zero-rated data to Spotify
By Sim Ahmed | Auckland | Tuesday, 22 May, 2012 | 14 Comments
Digital music streaming service Spotify is available in New Zealand as of today. The company has announced that its catalogue of more than 16 million tracks will be open to Kiwi customers.
The company is also launching in Australia today. Its New Zealand and Australian headquarters is in Sydney.
After months of speculation of its launch, Spotify has revealed its pricing plans.
As with overseas versions Spotify is available in three subscription types. Spotify Free allows customers ad-supported access to the service on computers and smart phones, the $7.49 a month Spotify Unlimited gives ad-free access only computers only; while the $12.99 Spotify Premium gives ad-free access on mobiles, and also allows for offline listening.
Spotify is offering a 30-day free trial for its Premium Service, but this requires a credit card.
Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek says the Swedish company hopes to find a place in New Zealand.
“We’re unbelievably excited to be here,” says co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek. “We know how much Kiwis love their music and are sure they’ll love Spotify.”
Included in its release plans are two New Zealand specific promotions, a NZ Top 40 songs app available in the iTunes App Store, and a New Zealand artists playlist called "Kia Ora New Zealand".
Update 11am: Local ISP Slingshot says it still plans to zero-rate Spotify data for its customers, but is having difficulty engaging with the music streaming service on this matter. Mark Callander, CEO of Slingshot, says Spotify has been "hard to get a hold of".
Telecom says it is reviewing its data offerings, but will not say if it plans to offer zero-rated data.
Computerworld has also contacted Spotify, Orcon, Vodafone, TelstraClear, Maxnet, and Fyx on whether they plan to zero-rate Spotify data. Orcon and Slingshot have indicated in the past they wish to do so, with the other ISPs giving no comments at the time.
Comments
datacaps pfffffff....
pfft, who needs unmetered. my datacap is 120GB. with spotify bitrate of only 160kb/s I could listen to spotify, and download to my mobile over wifi for the entire month 24/7 and still come nowhere near my datacap.
Posted by spotify user at 11:14:00 on May 23, 2012
Posted by spotify user at 11:14:00 on May 23, 2012
Not really...
At 160kb/s streaming, you'd be using 160 * 60 (secs in a min) * 60 (mins in an hour) = 576,000kb/hr, or 576 Mb in an hour.
With a cap of 120Gb thats 120 / 0.579 = 207.25 hours per month
If a month is 30 days then that's 207.25 / 30 = 7 hours a day of spotify and you'll reach your cap, assuming you don't download anything else.
For 20-50 GB cap like some nz users, this comes to 1-3 hours per day. Really not very viable if you're working/studying/just chilling with music every day.
Posted by Anonymous at 9:34:31 on June 17, 2012
With a cap of 120Gb thats 120 / 0.579 = 207.25 hours per month
If a month is 30 days then that's 207.25 / 30 = 7 hours a day of spotify and you'll reach your cap, assuming you don't download anything else.
For 20-50 GB cap like some nz users, this comes to 1-3 hours per day. Really not very viable if you're working/studying/just chilling with music every day.
Posted by Anonymous at 9:34:31 on June 17, 2012
Facebook ain't getting me
I thought, cool Spotify has launched in NZ. I was also willing to give them some money for it. Then I see you can't have spotify without FB. There is no way in hell that FB, through Spotify are having any connection with my credit card. So, bye bye Spotify and I'll be getting my music elsewhere. What a stupid thing to do.
Posted by No-go at 21:21:27 on May 22, 2012
Posted by No-go at 21:21:27 on May 22, 2012
In bed with Facebook
For those who refuse to have a Facebook account,due to privacy issues, then Spotify is a NO goer.
You can ONLY join Spotify if you have a FB account.
Howls of outrage from many former users, who claim they have sold out to the money boys of Facebook.
Posted by Anonymous at 11:55:24 on May 22, 2012
You can ONLY join Spotify if you have a FB account.
Howls of outrage from many former users, who claim they have sold out to the money boys of Facebook.
Posted by Anonymous at 11:55:24 on May 22, 2012
In bed with Facebook
Sure, it is an annoyance, but just do what I did. Create a anonymous fake facebook account.
Problem solved.
Posted by Anonymous at 12:56:33 on May 22, 2012
Problem solved.
Posted by Anonymous at 12:56:33 on May 22, 2012
Premium
If you download the iphone app for Spotify you are able to get 48 hours of premium for free. It does not require you to inpur any credit card details.
Based on the description of the app, you would have to login using your Facebook credentials.
I am not sure if this applies to Android based devices.
Ben
Posted by Ben Smith at 11:31:05 on May 22, 2012
Based on the description of the app, you would have to login using your Facebook credentials.
I am not sure if this applies to Android based devices.
Ben
Posted by Ben Smith at 11:31:05 on May 22, 2012
Finally
Fantastic! I just downloaded the app, and searched for a song from tonight's Glee and voil#!
Posted by Anonymous at 11:05:52 on May 22, 2012
Posted by Anonymous at 11:05:52 on May 22, 2012
Finally
Finally. I just wish my Telecom mobile data plan had enough to actually use the premium version. sigh
Posted by Anonymous at 9:10:02 on May 22, 2012
Posted by Anonymous at 9:10:02 on May 22, 2012
Finally
"while the $12.99 Spotify Premium gives ad-free access on mobiles, and also allows for offline listening."
Offline listening. Don't need shedloads of mobile data for that.
Posted by Anonymous at 9:18:09 on May 22, 2012
Offline listening. Don't need shedloads of mobile data for that.
Posted by Anonymous at 9:18:09 on May 22, 2012
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