Spotify launches in the US • Hacker News Board

Re: Spotify launches in the US

#31

Post by xd » Thu, Jul 14, 2011, 1:01 PM UTC

TylerE wrote: post #29

udp wrote: post #14

4.99 USD a month for unlimited? It's 4.99 GBP a month in the UK, which is more like 8.00 USD. That's not fair! 1:1 pricing aside, it's very good news that they're launching in the US.

Remember we don't have VAT here, so that's what, a 25%, 30% difference right there?

currently 20%

Re: Spotify launches in the US

#32

Post by tommi » Thu, Jul 14, 2011, 1:03 PM UTC

joshfinnie wrote: post #26

Does anyone have a guess as to why they are doing an "invite only" style opening here in the US? I would think with their success abroad, the infrastructure is strong enough to support the added subscribers... Is this just to increase artificial demand?

It certainly is a marketing tactic but it can also be more. Spotify is based on P2P-tech and maybe they want to slowly ramp up the network.

Re: Spotify launches in the US

#33

Post by vitobcn » Thu, Jul 14, 2011, 1:04 PM UTC

estel wrote: post #20

I (and I guess any other EU subscribers) have a number of invitations if anyone here wants to try the Free version before committing to Unlimited. Anyone interested in one? Edit: can only send if your email address is on your HN profile, of course. Edit edit: http://www.spotify.com/us/amanda/ will be less hassle for all whilst it lasts.

I'd love one too. Thanks!

Re: Spotify launches in the US

#34

Post by marksu » Thu, Jul 14, 2011, 1:05 PM UTC

I have a whole bunch of invitations - however, I will be leaving town for the weekend and will probably be without internet connection. So if anyone is late on the train but still interested, leave a comment with an email here and I will try to get them to you on monday as I will check the thread as soon as I get back!

Re: Spotify launches in the US

#35

Post by tptacek » Thu, Jul 14, 2011, 1:05 PM UTC

So, do I want to give Rdio up for this?

Re: Spotify launches in the US

#36

Post by pitdesi » Thu, Jul 14, 2011, 1:05 PM UTC

Here's my free passalong for free invites, it should work: http://klout.com/perk/Spotify/SpotifyFreeAccounts?passalong=...

First thought: How is this any different from Grooveshark (from a user experience perspective - I know Grooveshark doesn't give a shit about artists rights etc).

Edit: So far, search on Spotify is much faster, but the music library is nowhere near as complete... and I like that in Grooveshark when I search for a song I can see other peoples playlists that it shows up in and play those.

Re: Spotify launches in the US

#37

Post by Schmidt » Thu, Jul 14, 2011, 1:11 PM UTC

joshfinnie wrote: post #26

Does anyone have a guess as to why they are doing an "invite only" style opening here in the US? I would think with their success abroad, the infrastructure is strong enough to support the added subscribers... Is this just to increase artificial demand?

Most of the servers are also located in the UK AFAIK and the first 30 seconds are always streamed from their servers. Managing demand could be a reason.

Re: Spotify launches in the US

#38

Post by heyimfromreddit » Thu, Jul 14, 2011, 1:12 PM UTC

udp wrote: post #14

4.99 USD a month for unlimited? It's 4.99 GBP a month in the UK, which is more like 8.00 USD. That's not fair! 1:1 pricing aside, it's very good news that they're launching in the US.

They also probably have completely different licensing deals, there's a bigger market, etc.

Re: Spotify launches in the US

#39

Post by saroz » Thu, Jul 14, 2011, 1:13 PM UTC

estel wrote: post #20

I (and I guess any other EU subscribers) have a number of invitations if anyone here wants to try the Free version before committing to Unlimited. Anyone interested in one? Edit: can only send if your email address is on your HN profile, of course. Edit edit: http://www.spotify.com/us/amanda/ will be less hassle for all whilst it lasts.

Can you send me one ?

Thanks

Re: Spotify launches in the US

#40

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jul 14, 2011, 1:13 PM UTC

estel wrote: post #20

I (and I guess any other EU subscribers) have a number of invitations if anyone here wants to try the Free version before committing to Unlimited. Anyone interested in one? Edit: can only send if your email address is on your HN profile, of course. Edit edit: http://www.spotify.com/us/amanda/ will be less hassle for all whilst it lasts.

[deleted]