streaming music

Last month Real Networks announced that their Rhapsody music streaming service would be coming to the iPhone in the form of an iPhone app. Today the company has announced that the app is now available in the App Store [App Store, Free].

Rhapsody subscribers can download the app and immediately start enjoying their subscription on their iPhones. If you're not already a subscriber, you can sign up for a 7-day free trial, which includes full access to the service.

Spotify, the Sweedish music streaming service, has submitted an application to Apple for approval into the App Store. Spotify is widely viewed as the potential savior of the music industry and main threat to the iTunes music store, offering millions of songs for £9.99 a month (approx. $16 USD) in an easy-to-use interface.
[via BBC]

Sirius/XM has released Sirius XM Premium Online for the iPhone and iPod touch has been released to the App Store as a free download. The app lets users stream programming from their online channels over both Wi-Fi and 3G. The app also comes with a free 7 day trial, but will require a subscription after it expires.
[via 148Apps]

Business Insider has come across a slightly out-of-focus screenshot of the announced Sirius XM streaming radio application. The image is from a PowerPoint presentation given by CEO Mel Karmazin. It appears based on the presentation that a $2.99 monthly streaming fee will be applied. There is also a shopping cart, implying that users will have the ability to buy something, though what exactly is unclear.

An interesting trend has popped up with iPhone apps released by bands. While Apple offers no streaming music service in iTunes, several bands have started releasing paid apps in the App Store that stream the band's music to the device. The latest of these bands is Presidents of the United States of America, who is offering streaming access to their entire discography for just $3 with the app The Presidents' Music - PUSA [$2.99]. Could this be the next big trend?
[via Ars Technica]

If you've read our App Reviews lately then you can probably guess that we are pretty big fans of Pandora Radio, and the internet-radio movement they've been a part of, but it's no secret that the RIAA and internet radio do not get along. So far they've been able to hold on despite the constantly growing mountain of fees and royalties, but they may be nearing the end of their rope.

For those of you with PCs, you should know about the amazing site called Orb. Orb allows people to create a free account and then access certain folders from any internet-capable device.