Streaming with Linux: Spotify
This is a series that surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective. We are not reviewing any of the streaming services themselves although we may make subjective comments along the way.
First launched in 2008, Spotify is a digital music streaming service with a freemium business model. You can listen to a huge library of music and podcasts for no charge if you are prepared to have shuffle play (with limited skips), interrupted listening and lower audio bitrate. Alternatively, there’s the option of Spotify Premium. In the UK, a subscription costs £9.99 per month for an Individual account. This gives you streaming music at 320 kbps, the ability to download music, and full functionality.
When we placed Amazon Music Unlimited under the spotlight we lamented that there is no desktop client available under Linux. Instead, Amazon confine users to use a web browser. Matters are made worse as only the lowest sound quality setting is available.