After releasing the video demo of its iPhone app this morning, Spotify is getting bags of coverage – much of it focusing on a single question: will its iPhone app prove to be an iTunes-killer?Here's a short answer: No.Here's a longer answer. Judging by the video, Spotify's iPhone app is as impressive as its desktop version, and its ability to cache playlists for offline listening sets it apart from rival streaming services on the App Store.And yes, if Spotify has chosen not to include links to buy songs from the iTunes Store, it may well get Apple's goat, and cause a hold-up in the approval process.But an iTunes killer? Not any time soon, unless you're seriously suggesting that everyone who buys music from the iTunes Store is going to switch to Spotify in the next year or two. Even suggesting that streaming music in general will kill iTunes ignores the fast-emerging consensus within the music biz that no one consumption method or format is going to be The Future for music.A lot of people may decide they have no need for downloads once Spotify goes mobile, but eradicating the desire among millions of people to 'own' songs? That's going to [...]
The full article is available to our subscribers only.
If you're a subscriber, you can login here
You can subscribe here (where there are options for monthly, twice-yearly, annual and trial subscriptions)

