Last year I was visiting Current's UK office. The hottest thing I discovered there (other than the pickled onion flavoured crisps) was streaming music software Spotify. The program let play almost any song I've ever heard instantly. My new office colleagues sent me mixes, for my enjoyment. We bonded over our shared taste in international party music. I became addicted. When I returned stateside, I was devastated when I found out, that Spotify does not work in the United States. I've been waiting for the day that day where I can stream music so easily once again. This afternoon I sat in a crowded hall listening to founder Daniel Ek's keynote speech at SXSW, with hopes that he'd provide us with a big reveal. He talked about how the service has grown. Recently they've been expanding the service to mobile apps. A version comes with three-to-six months of free service on Sweden's local provide Telia. “We want to enable your library on these types of devices.” He showed us an example of the app in progress. This product will all you to turn your phone into a miniature mobile disco. The industry has worked with Spotify since it's inception. Ek says that music sales are on the rise in places like Sweden, where 15 – 20% of the nation's population use the service. So if this is a viable business model that the music industry supports, why isn't it available in North America? Someone finally asked the million dollar question. Ek wants “to build the best possible product” before a US launch. They are also aiming to move into the Chinese market. He opened by saying “playlists are the new mixtapes of 2010.” I am optimistic that Spotify playlists will become the new mixtapes for people everywhere in the world. added by: joshuaheller
