Spotify unsure if Apple will approve its iPhone app
There’s huge buzz around Spotify’s plans to launch Android and iPhone apps, but the company is unsure whether the latter will even be allowed onto the App Store.
“We really don’t know if Apple will give us the go-ahead, and all we can do it submit our software then wait and see,” Spotify’s Andres Sehr tells the Evening Standard. “It’s something of a black hole.”
This hints at something being whispered about in music industry circles: that Apple increasingly sees Spotify as a direct competitor to its iTunes Store, and may throw more barriers in the way of its iPhone app as a result. Describing the sometimes-cloudy approvals process as a “black hole” may be accurate, but it’s unlikely to smooth things along.
Apple certainly doesn’t have a problem with streaming music apps on iPhone, as the success of Pandora and Last.fm’s apps shows. Both link through to the iTunes Store for purchases. However, Spotify’s intention to cache playlists in the app for offline listening could give Apple pause for thought, not to mention the media chatter about Spotify being a potential iTunes-killer.
We’ll have to wait and see what happens once the app is submitted…
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:38 am
The App is most likely coming available only for Spotify’s premium users, right? Then sharing revenue from the users that install the app might do the trick. This would secure Apple revenue from these users which should compensate for the potential loss in iTunes sales.
Anyway, waiting so much for that app to be released. Huge fan of Spotify.
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
A Spotify app would likely mean lots of new iPhones being sold. And that’s where the real money is for Apple at the moment…
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
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July 22nd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Apple is just stupid if they block the Spotify application!
July 25th, 2009 at 9:53 am
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July 27th, 2009 at 9:54 am
This will be interesting,If Apple rejects this app, I think it will draw and enormous attention to their approval process.
July 30th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Lots of talk about Spotify and Apple profits – what about the People making the music, how much will they receive from the sale of the Iphone,how much how much will they get from the sale of the app?
When I first heard Spotifys Strap of “At Spotify we think music should be free” I thought of course you do – but what about the people making the music?
I think my car mechanic should be free! But If I told him that, what do you think he would say? – kids cover your ears for a minute or two!
I’ve spoken to many friends of mine in the music industry and a lot of them have said that they find the Spotify dream really offensive as is.Thay have all said H.T.F. are we going to make money now?
I appreciate that people are still rinsing the torrent sites and Spotify are at least trying to combat this which is commendable.
However the cynic in me says it’s a smoke screen to mask selfish greed much like supermarkets et al, who are charging you for carrier bags,their now makeing a packet form the eco green bandwagon.
However the future of music is greater jeopardy than ever before,people always find a reason to justify foul play,
Spotify is another reason to carry on downloading for free – A torrent jacker will justify his sorry ass by saying “I can get It free at Spotify,so I might as well download it for free”
This is the attitude of my kid brother who is part of the free generation,what are we going to do about it?
I would love it if Spotify were clearer on how musicians producers are benefiting from the service,it’s a great service that works really well Spotify you need to engage with musicians without them – your nothing
A rant perhaps i’m just worried about the future of music.
twitter/lollywould