Spotify On PlayStation VS Tidal On Sonos: Is The Online Music Streaming Space Too Crowded?
Spotify finally launched its app today for the PS3 and PS4 consoles, while Tidal has arrived on Sonos Hi-Fi system. The two online music streaming services have already been compared by music lovers on the Internet. Spotify is now available as an app for those who own a Sony PS3 or PS4 console. The new app is called Spotify on PlayStation Music, according to PC Advisor.
That means you can enjoy music as you play video games. Spotify’s new app is not just accessible for gamers. It will also be available on both Xperia smartphones and tablets, as revealed in a recent Spotify blog post.
“We have worked closely with PlayStation to build an entirely new music experience which doesn’t just sound awesome, but also looks great on your TV and handles smoothly using the DualShock controller.”
Spotify’s new app supports background listening, which means that you can play music as you play your favorite video games. Note that some of your games will be affected by the background music, so if you enjoy immersing yourself in your games, you may not want to use the Spotify app. Spotify Connect will also allow you to skip tracks or turn the volume up or down with your phone or tablet, without having to press the pause button.
The online music streaming service also announced that a Spotify Premium account is not required to use this app.
In other big news today, Tidal has launched on Sonos. This service doesn’t cost the same amount as Spotify. In fact, it costs twice as much. For $19.99 per month, users will have access to streaming music and video at 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC and ALAC. This is good news for audiophiles, who love to listen to their music in Hi-Fi.
Jay Z is the owner of the new online music streaming service. He’s been joined by other artists like Arcade Fire, Beyoncé, Coldplay, Kanye West, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift was one of the first artists to leave Spotify for Tidal because of the low pay rates. Sonos CEO, John MacFarlane, believes that this new service will change the music industry. He thinks that artists are in tune with the way fans are streaming their music.
“Artists are more in tune than ever with how people are listening to their music. The game just changed – Tidal represents the future of music.”
But is the music streaming space too crowded? There’s already popular services like Pandora and Spotify. Not to mention, there are alternatives like Deezer, iTunes, Google Play Music, Rdio, and Songza that are currently doing well. The Wall Street Journal noted that there so many streaming sites that already feature these artists.
Jay Z launched the #TIDALforALL campaign with a press conference in New York City at 5 p.m. He announced that it was an artist-owned online streaming service that includes Arcade Fire, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Deadmau5, Daft Punk, Kanye West, Jack White, and Usher. It’s also been announced that the service will be $9.99 per month for non-lossless or $19.99 per month for lossless streaming.
You can view the press conference at the video below.
What are your thoughts on the Spotify vs. Tidal debate? Which music streaming service would you rather use?
[Image: Ryan Van Etten via Flickr]
