Spotify Open and Spotify Unlimited unveiled

Posted by Joe Minihane on Tue 18 May 2010

Invite-free access and new computer-only subscription services shown off.

Spotify has just announced plans to broaden its music streaming appeal, launching two new ways to chow down on its eight million strong catalogue: Spotify Open and Spotify Unlimited.

Spotify Open becomes the new basic package. You don’t need an invite to get involved and tracks will remain ad-supported, while you’ll be limited to 20 hours of tunes a month. That works out at around 25 albums.

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Related links:
- Spotify iPhone, Android and Nokia apps tested
- Spotify wins Innovation of the Year
- Spotify reduces illegal downloading in UK
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Alternatively, you can stump up £4.99 a month for Spotify Unlimited. Like Spotify Premium, this gets you ad-free access to everything from Fleetwood Mac to Fun Boy Three (ahem), but the lower price means you can’t sync offline playlists or use Spotify mobile apps to take tracks on the move.

Regular Spotify, or Spotify Free as it’s now known, is still going strong, but you’ll need an invite to get unlimited ad-supported tracks. Spotify Premium remains top dog, still going for £9.99 a month.

Each one uses the new Spotify social networking design, so you can pester your pals with naff 80s movie playlists or just let everyone know of your undying love for late 90s jokers Kula Shaker.

Will this make you use Spotify more? Or does it make it more confusing to new punters? Tell us what you think now.

Link: Spotify