Aspiro calls for the use of open standards in digital music; introduces playlist import and export functionality
Scandinavian music streaming service WiMP by Aspiro today launched an update that includes a beta version of the most requested feature in the client – import of playlists from other streaming services. At the same time, Aspiro also enables export of playlists from WiMP, and urges the industry to use open standards in order to further develop complete import and export functionality to encourage increased music consumption.
WiMP is an Aspiro owned and managed music service currently available in Denmark, Norway and, Sweden, focusing on helping users find their way through the huge library of music available through streaming.
While access to all the world‘s music without downloading files reduces the importance of physical ownership, people are still finding new ways to connect and build emotional relationships with their music. Many music lovers spend huge amounts of time building up a collection of playlists, favorite artists and albums, and shows off what they like through social media. One of the most requested feature additions to WiMP has been the ability to port and share playlists between different services.
“It is our view that those users who have dedicated time and effort to create a collection of favourites and playlists should be entitled to enjoy and use these collections in any service they want, be that WiMP or Spotify for example. With the update we’re launching today, this functionality is now possible. However it has been very challenging to develop, because there is not an agreed industry standard and no other services as far as we know has introduced similar functionality. With the beta version of WiMP launched today, we urge the industry to open up and agree on one standard”, said Per Einar Dybvik from WiMP.
The beta version includes the export and import of playlists, and it is Aspiro’s aim to add similar functions for favorite artists and albums as well. The beta version includes the ability to import playlists from Spotify to WiMP, and to export WiMP playlists in either RSS or XSPF format. Aspiro would also look at the possibility of importing from services such as iTunes and Winamp, but without an industry standard file format for digital music, and since other services are not yet enabling sharing, this is unfortunately impossible.
“Aspiro Music supports an open standard, so that we can let users freely transfer their music collection between the various services they would like to use. We see no reason to force users to stay with WiMP, and therefore we are pleased to offer export of playlists as well”, says Dybvik. “At the end of the day, what matters for consumers is the music, overall experience, choice and sense of ownership, not lock-ins and penalties” Dybvik concludes.
For questions, please contact: Kristin Castillo Eldnes, Head of Corporate Communication and IR, +47 908 07 389, kristin.eldnes@aspiro.com, Per Einar Dybvik, Head of WiMP, +47 901 04 317, per.einar.dybvik@aspiro.com.
Aspiro in Brief
Aspiro has unique positioning as the world’s only provider of complete TV and music streaming services for partners that want to put their own branding on the service. Aspiro also offer its music service WiMP direct to consumers on selected markets. Aspiro has over ten years’ experience in mobile technology and retail in northern Europe, and delivers services to partners worldwide like Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica O2, Telenor, 3, TeliaSonera, the BBC, Aftonbladet, mBlox, TVNorge, Entel and VG. Aspiro is listed on Nasdaq OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm. Sales for continuing operations in 2010 were SEK 266m and the company has some 117 employees.
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