Spotify

Spotify announced today that its mobile app will now be free on iOS and Android devices. The free version of the popular music streaming service was previously only available on desktop browsers. Just like Pandora, the free service will be supported by advertisements, and it will only give users access to specific select tracks. The new service will begin rolling out to mobile users starting today.

You will still need a premium account if you want an ad-free experience or other benefits like offline listening. A Spotify premium plan costs $9.99 per month and gives you the ability to play any song at any time.

The music streaming service Spotify has finally added the Discover option to its iOS app. The music recommendation tab has been available on Android devices since 2012. The Discover feature makes suggestions based on a user's listening history and playlists. Version 0.7.1 also adds the ability to edit playlists, and introduces a new Now Playing view. The ability to add or remove tracks from your playlists was previously only available on the iPad. Spotify also updated its icon to fit the new look of iOS 7, and has tweaked the user interface to make it easier to navigate.

The Spotify app is free to download from the App Store, however, you will need a Premium account to access all the features. Premium features include: Instant access to millions of songs, online streaming, offline capabilities, the ability to create and sync playlists, plus more.

Competition in the streaming music business is heating up. There are more options now for consumers, whether they're seeking free radio stations or customized paid music services. Spotify has just launched a major update to their iOS app, bringing the software to version 0.6.0.

The latest Spotify features a completely new interface with a sidebar that can be accessed by swiping to the right or pressing the menu button. The song you're listening to will be displayed on the Now Playing bar, which also acts as a music control. Switching tracks is as easy as swiping the bar. Touching the cover art will open an extended view with even more controls.