While we all wait patiently for Apple to concoct its own subscription-based, unlimited music streaming service (hello, Lala acquisition!), MOG is jumping on the opportunity right away. Er, almost right away. Down in Austin this week, the company announced that an iPhone and Android app would be out "in early Q2" in order to bring unlimited music streaming to both operating systems for $10 per month. We're told that a catalog of seven million songs will be available, but there's no way to know if 6.99 million are of the "no one cares" variety. At any rate, your monthly fee will also allow unlimited streaming from the desktop, but alas, you'll be left with nothing but hollow memories should you ever stop ponying up. In related news, Rhapsody has announced (video after the break) that offline playback support is coming to the iPhone, with the updated app expected to be passed along for Apple's confirmation "shortly." Granted, the Rhapsody to Go subscription is $5 per month more than MOG's option, but with all this competition popping up, we wouldn't be shocked to see that slide lower in due time.
I'll stick with Zune Pass. Streaming only services are useless, need offline. And the Zune Pass is the same price as the Rhapsody, with the additional benefits of keeping 10 songs / month, and seamless integration with my ripped / owned music library, and the software part is great.
Of course a Zune player is needed. The 4GB/8GB models, as well as the second generation HD models are excellent hardware and all over bargain bins, and the ZuneHD is one of the best PMPs out there, period. And you got set-top-box integration if you have an XBox.
Releasing apps for non-WP7S phones would be a smart move from Microsoft, and even though I wouldn't hold my breath, it's not entirely impossible once Zune is established as an independent ecosystem.
I also love my Zune and my Zune Pass. It's the best deal around so far.
But alas, MS is being cryptic about music pricing once Windows Series 7 Series Mobile Series Series comes out. Those nincompoops better not mess with my Pass...
@ElCabri The requirement of a separate device for Zune Pass (at least until WP7 arrives) is the whole downside to Zune. It's 1) cost prohibitive, and 2) bulk prohibitive.
@tikigawd, really good. A lot of people use it at work lots of different ages and they seem to like it. Kind of like the other services there are a few artists that have been removed, but none that I've noticed specifically.
If you don't have a webOS, android, or a blackberry device then you might have to wait a bit for an application for mobile but there's really little reason to pay if you don't need mobile support.
Now if you had android this would be possible :). BTW, Rhapsody for Android beta is nice, only a few small issues with Sense devices, but at least it is functional. The first beta would freeze after the first track on my hero. Offline playback should be fairly easy with android as all that is needed is to port a linux DRM decoder, which has already been done by Archos. Offline for android, please hurry.
I used the old Yahoo music subscription service. It was the greatest thing ever. Totally changed how I listened to music (for the better) and reduced my music listening expenses considerably.
Commercially it was a total failure. Didn't work on the iPod so the rest of the value proposition was meaningless to most.
I'm not in the US so I can't use Rhapsody, so I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for a similar subscription service to be available in Canada. Hopefully this is it.
So, no one is going to mention Grooveshark? The app has been out for blackberry, android, and jail-broken iphones (only because apple denied the app). For three bucks a month you get streaming music and offline capabilities. Sounds better than 5 dollars a month to me.
spotify might not be the cheapest but my god once you go spotify you don't go back. and app on android is by far the nicest app i have used on android. such a joy to use! and i have all my playlists offline on my htc hero/desktop and laptop!
@Lord Vader Sorry to distract from your comedy Star Wars role play, but... Why wouldn't you be able to listen to music while browsing with Safari? I'm doing this right now on my iPhone... am I missing something?
Glad to see this happening, regardless of my feelings on MOG v lala v Grooveshark v ... The more companies that force Apple's hand like this, the better. Apple can only buy out or reject so many companies before they start to put themselves behind the curve.
Who other than iphone fanboys would pay for this service? I thought most music streaming was free. And if it's about streaming specific songs instead of just using internet radio stations, the songs you wanted would already be on your iphone.
@jcar302 LOL. All the songs you'd ever want to listen to are already on your iPhone? Can I see this magical device that has read my mind and downloaded songs based on my future desires?
OK....for everyone that doesn't know what the benefit of Rhapsody is, Ill tell you my situation.
I am a picky dude. Just like some people are picky about eating,...I am picky about music.
1.) I freaking HATE the Radio. I hate having no control over what I listen to. So this means that Pandora, AOL Radio, Grooveshark, ShoutCAST, Last.FM, Spotify....these are all out for me. This also means that I do not like Sirus/XM either. If commercials interrupt the time that I could otherwise be listening to music...I would rather be doing that. Its been that way for me ever since I started to drive, which was 13 years ago.
2.) I WILL NOT pay 99 cents - $1.35 per track. My music tastes change frequently, and I like to listen to new artists, and this would be A TON of money that I would rather put what little discretionary money I have into physical things like Hardware, gadgets, and video games.
3.) I used to steal music (and movies), ever since it was created to do so, and frankly it kept giving me an uneasy feeling to keep doing it now that I am now supposedly "Grown Up". This does not prevent me however, from using the loophole that software like TuneBite helps me to keep the music I want from the Rhapsody servers.
So Rhapsody is an awesome way for me to stay legal, and get all the music I want. I can make playlists, and then send them instantly to my iPhone with music that didn't exist on my computer beforehand. I am an artist, and I wouldn't want people not paying for my stuff, so I look at music artists that way. Also have numerous friends in Bands, as well as being music teachers, I've come to respect the music industry, and wish to pay for my music usage in what little capacity I can.
Now if you were like me?...Would Rhapsody work for you?
Umm, I think I'll stick with bootleg download online subscription model. I only pay about $0.00 /month for them. When I'm not doing that, ShoutCast works great.
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posted March 16th 2010 1:08PM
I'm sticking with Spotify, can't fault it....except the lack of Led Zep :(
@Tweedskin
Last.fm,
the iphone app exists, and it selects the song more accurately than pandora.
I'm sticking with Pandora for the foreseeable future...
@Giggity
I like pandora- but I always seem to hear the se songs over and over. It gets redundant.
@Lord Vader
Youve been EPIC FAILED big time!
I'll stick with Zune Pass. Streaming only services are useless, need offline. And the Zune Pass is the same price as the Rhapsody, with the additional benefits of keeping 10 songs / month, and seamless integration with my ripped / owned music library, and the software part is great.
Of course a Zune player is needed. The 4GB/8GB models, as well as the second generation HD models are excellent hardware and all over bargain bins, and the ZuneHD is one of the best PMPs out there, period. And you got set-top-box integration if you have an XBox.
Releasing apps for non-WP7S phones would be a smart move from Microsoft, and even though I wouldn't hold my breath, it's not entirely impossible once Zune is established as an independent ecosystem.
@ElCabri
Oo, you beat me to the punch.
I also love my Zune and my Zune Pass. It's the best deal around so far.
But alas, MS is being cryptic about music pricing once Windows Series 7 Series Mobile Series Series comes out. Those nincompoops better not mess with my Pass...
@tikigawd, or any modern cell phone and Grooveshark. :)
3 USD a month.
@Templarian
Oooh, I'll have to check that one out. How's their library?
@ElCabri The requirement of a separate device for Zune Pass (at least until WP7 arrives) is the whole downside to Zune. It's 1) cost prohibitive, and 2) bulk prohibitive.
@tikigawd, really good. A lot of people use it at work lots of different ages and they seem to like it. Kind of like the other services there are a few artists that have been removed, but none that I've noticed specifically.
If you don't have a webOS, android, or a blackberry device then you might have to wait a bit for an application for mobile but there's really little reason to pay if you don't need mobile support.
And webOS too if I am not mistaken.
@Lord Vader
Now if you had android this would be possible :). BTW, Rhapsody for Android beta is nice, only a few small issues with Sense devices, but at least it is functional. The first beta would freeze after the first track on my hero. Offline playback should be fairly easy with android as all that is needed is to port a linux DRM decoder, which has already been done by Archos. Offline for android, please hurry.
@hated one
Zune HD
I used the old Yahoo music subscription service. It was the greatest thing ever. Totally changed how I listened to music (for the better) and reduced my music listening expenses considerably.
Commercially it was a total failure. Didn't work on the iPod so the rest of the value proposition was meaningless to most.
I'm not in the US so I can't use Rhapsody, so I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for a similar subscription service to be available in Canada. Hopefully this is it.
@hated one Ipod is nice
So, no one is going to mention Grooveshark? The app has been out for blackberry, android, and jail-broken iphones (only because apple denied the app). For three bucks a month you get streaming music and offline capabilities. Sounds better than 5 dollars a month to me.
@slinkman44
SHHH!
Don't tell anyone about grooveshark..I enjoy my free music.
@nick
yep grooveshark app kills all of them. shhhhh
spotify might not be the cheapest but my god once you go spotify you don't go back. and app on android is by far the nicest app i have used on android. such a joy to use! and i have all my playlists offline on my htc hero/desktop and laptop!
@elmo61 Stop teasing us Americans! Not cool.
@who
lol you have the nexus one so let us English/Europians have this one :)
@Lord Vader
Sorry to distract from your comedy Star Wars role play, but... Why wouldn't you be able to listen to music while browsing with Safari? I'm doing this right now on my iPhone... am I missing something?
Woooo Austin Texas! I didn't even read the article but am just excited to see something about ATX on engadget that isn't ACL or SXSW.
@hated one
Music is about 1% of what you can do with an iPod touch, but it's still great at it.
How many songs do MOG have? I currently have spotify premium but the music library isn't that big.
@weeman
Ah wait, I just read the article properly. Skimmed through it the first time.
@weeman I just did a quick comparison and Rhapsody's catalog is significantly fuller than MOG's.
that guy has giant hands
Yes!....Perfect.
Rhapsody Just got that much more awesome.
Wonder if the Rhapsody app will work on iPad?
Please test someday engadget!
Glad to see this happening, regardless of my feelings on MOG v lala v Grooveshark v ...
The more companies that force Apple's hand like this, the better. Apple can only buy out or reject so many companies before they start to put themselves behind the curve.
Who other than iphone fanboys would pay for this service?
I thought most music streaming was free.
And if it's about streaming specific songs instead of just using internet radio stations, the songs you wanted would already be on your iphone.
@jcar302 LOL. All the songs you'd ever want to listen to are already on your iPhone? Can I see this magical device that has read my mind and downloaded songs based on my future desires?
@who
Umm, isn't an iphone based on an ipod?
And isn't an ipod for carrying around your music with you?
If you aren't downloading music on itunes (or whatever you use) what exactly is the point of having an iphone?
@Lord Vader
I feel the presence of the Schwartz... oh sorry, wrong movie.
Why in the world would Apple approve this app?
Why in the world is Rhapsody not continuing to work on the Android app?
@Downpour Read: "good at it."
OK....for everyone that doesn't know what the benefit of Rhapsody is, Ill tell you my situation.
I am a picky dude. Just like some people are picky about eating,...I am picky about music.
1.) I freaking HATE the Radio. I hate having no control over what I listen to. So this means that Pandora, AOL Radio, Grooveshark, ShoutCAST, Last.FM, Spotify....these are all out for me. This also means that I do not like Sirus/XM either. If commercials interrupt the time that I could otherwise be listening to music...I would rather be doing that. Its been that way for me ever since I started to drive, which was 13 years ago.
2.) I WILL NOT pay 99 cents - $1.35 per track. My music tastes change frequently, and I like to listen to new artists, and this would be A TON of money that I would rather put what little discretionary money I have into physical things like Hardware, gadgets, and video games.
3.) I used to steal music (and movies), ever since it was created to do so, and frankly it kept giving me an uneasy feeling to keep doing it now that I am now supposedly "Grown Up". This does not prevent me however, from using the loophole that software like TuneBite helps me to keep the music I want from the Rhapsody servers.
So Rhapsody is an awesome way for me to stay legal, and get all the music I want. I can make playlists, and then send them instantly to my iPhone with music that didn't exist on my computer beforehand. I am an artist, and I wouldn't want people not paying for my stuff, so I look at music artists that way. Also have numerous friends in Bands, as well as being music teachers, I've come to respect the music industry, and wish to pay for my music usage in what little capacity I can.
Now if you were like me?...Would Rhapsody work for you?
Umm, I think I'll stick with bootleg download online subscription model. I only pay about $0.00 /month for them. When I'm not doing that, ShoutCast works great.