Free Spotify Radio added to Android app for US users
updated 03:23 pm EDT, Tue July 31, 2012
Android version a month after iOS app updated
Spotify has updated its free Android app (Google Play), adding the streaming music company's radio feature. Initially seen on the equivalent iOS app (App Store), the radio option enables US-based users to stream stations through the app for free, with no limits on the number of tracks. Personalization options for adjusting user-created stations are also present, as is the social functionality.
Just like the iOS app, stations can be created from individual song choices, albums, playlists, or artists. If a user decides to “like” a track, the recommendation engine will choose similar music to play. Playlists by friends on the service can also be used for station creation. When the iOS version of Spotify Radio was launched, it was the top app in the App Store's Music section for a few days. There currently are over 50,000 ratings over all versions of the iOS app, with an average score of five stars for the most recent version with 6907 reviews.
Although the Spotify Radio service is free through the app for US users, the streams will be occasionally interrupted by ads for non-premium members. It remains unclear if the radio service will appear outside of the US in the future. [via Spotify Blog]
