Keith's dashboard

Guy. I agree I was all set to jump ship to Spotify Premium as soon as it was integrated. However, Napster is just too easy to use. Given that I don't really find Napster limiting in quality, it only costs £5 p/m, and I get 5 free downloads p/m, Spotify will have to make a real effort to convince me even when it is integrated. You never know, by then Napster might be streaming at 256, in which case Spotify won't get a look in.

Keith

Stuart

The thing is, a setup like that is EXACTLY what I don't want. I already have a very good wireless audio streamer, a Squeezebox. Three actually. For example, right now Boz Scaggs is playing in the lounge, Annie Lennox in the kitchen, and if I wanted I could have something else playing in the bedroom. Or I could have all three playing the same thing in sync. All this music streamed direct from Napster through my Squeezebox system. Each player is under simple, independent, control and there are no laptops being carried around or wires laid across the floor. Indeed I can do this without any computer in the house being turned on at all!

I can get Spotify to play over my Squeeze-system using the "DSBridge" method, but it is not a patch on the integrated-Napster experience.

Sorry Stuart but Squeezebox integration is being requested for the express purpose of NOT doing the kind of thing you suggest.

Keith

Don't see why there is any problem pointing out where Spotify lags behind, and why they don't have my subscription yet. At £5 per/month and 5 downloads (effectively a free album every two months) I'll be sticking with Napster.

Those who say the inteface is good, or why not just play music on your PC are totally missing the point of this discussion. I want to play the best quality sound possible through my main hifi. I also want the huge convenience of being able to control everything from my armchair using my Squeezebox controller. I can do this with Napster. I can select from my saved library, search for songs/artists, browse new releases etc.

So why am I even bothering to write this? Because the Spotify Premium stream is 320kbps Ogg Vorbis, Napster is 128kbps WMA. To me it would be worth the extra £5 in order to get the increase in quality, but not at the expense of the convenience of Squeezebox integration. I'm trying to get the message across to Spotify that they are missing out on subcriptions.

If those kbps figures mean nothing to you, or you have never experienced Napster on Squeezebox/Sonos, then this thread is not for you.

Keith

May I suggest that rather than posting here, where it can easily be ignored, that all email spotify direct at premium@spotify.com explaining why they are missing out on a premium subscription.

Keith

I can play Spotify on my Squeezebox. I've got a workaround. Thing is I'm not swapping my Napster subscription for a Spotify one until there is full integration. Napster on Squeezebox is just toooo convenient. Why keep bleating? So that maybe they get the message and do something about it. If you don't ask you don't get. I emailed Spotify direct and got the reply that they would be turning their attention to this kind of thing once the phone was released. So there you go, they are fully occupied preparing the Spotify phone.

Keith

Yes I can listen to Spotify on my computer but, like me, folks are keen to see full integration with the likes of Squeezebox. This will allow streaming to the main hifi system and use of the full search/library/playlist functions via the remote control. At the moment I can stream Spotify to my squeezebox using the DSbridge method. However, that can only be controlled from my PC. So I will stick with my Napster subscription until Spotify gets its act together. As soon as that happens I'll be swapping over to get the 320kbps ogg stream. In the meantime Napster is just TOO convenient and easy to give up.

I certainly know that in the Squeeze community there are smart cookies just itching to write 3rd party plugins as soon as Spotify make it possible for them. So Spotify don't have to do all the work. They need to publish a usable API, whatever that is!

Come on Spotify my £10 per month is ready and waiting.

Cheers
Keith – Keith, on September 03, 2009 12:45

Well I have Spotify playing on my Squeezebox using the DSbridge method, see forums.slimdevices.com.

Sticking with Napster for now though due to its full integration. As soon as Spotify does what is necessary to allow integration I'll be switching to get 320kbps. But not yet. Come on Spotify you are missing out on a subscription. One of many I'll bet. Just publish the API and the keen eggheads will do the rest.

Keith