Spotify launches mobile service

Spotify says the service will help tackle illegal downloads

The music streaming website Spotify has launched an application so fans of the service can use it on certain types of mobile phones.

If you've got an Apple iPhone, iPod touch or a mobile that runs on Google's Android system, from today you can get online, hook up to Spotify and listen to some of the millions of tracks on its database.

But because Spotify only streams music instead of letting you download it that means you don't get to keep it.

And unlike using it on a computer when you can listen for free so long as you don't mind an advert every six songs or so, use it on your mobile and you have to sign up to its premium, £10 a month service.

John Scott is 26 and from Leeds. He said: "I like the idea, it's good.

"I do like to keep all my music so it's alright but I might stick with iTunes instead."

Keeping the tunes

And he's not impressed with having to pay for it. He added: "Don’t know if it's worth it then. Maybe if I got a bit of extra cash.

John's not sure people will want to pay for music they can't keep

"It seems like a good idea but if people are going to pay money for something you want to be able to keep what you pay for."

David Curly's 24 and from Acton. He said: "It depends how much you listen to music doesn't it? I listen to quite a lot so I reckon it would be worth it".

But 28-year-old Cory Ricks-Jackman from London isn't so sure.

He said: "You get to choose from millions of songs but where is your £10 going?

"You're just listening to it really and £10 every month just for listening is a bit much really."

He also doubts claims from Spotify that its new service may help tackle what the music industry sees as the problem of illegal downloading which it says costs it hundreds of millions of pounds every year.

He added: "As far as cutting out illegal downloading, with illegal downloading you get to keep the song and so just being able to listen to it isn't good enough."