Spotify: Usability as a Product
This actually started off as a lengthy post detailing Spotify’s usability issues. Then, I realized, what was actually more interesting to talk about is not the fact that the service has some usability quirks, but that what you are actually paying for (if you have the premium version) was not having library of music at your disposal. No, instead, you are paying for usability.
Competing with free isn’t easy, if possible at all. One does not need to go far to realize that it is getting increasingly harder to sell music. And despite what the recent conviction of The Pirate Bay suggests, it isn’t going to get easier.
And this is where I truly believe the difference will come in for services like spotify. If they somehow manage to trump other ways of music consumption and make people feel like that usability is worth the 10 EUR they are paying, then, and only then, will they succeed.
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I am currently doing my Masters in Interface Design at the University of Applied Sciences in Potsdam, Germany. Dutchman living in Berlin, born in South Africa. - Find out more here
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grabur Says:
I have one big usability issue with spotify – no linux support – except under wine (which I have problems with audio… don’t ask). So I don’t use it – so sadly I can’t comment on it’s UI.
I do use last.fm however, you can access it in a web browser, which makes it simple.
I think that on demand internet radio as well as tv, is a bit of a misuse of the internet technically – it’s a bit greedy – lot’s of traffic. But I love it!
I no longer need to have any music files on my PC. Limitations for me are – online catalogues that will never be complete and ISP bandwidth capping.
I’m surrendering my listening habits for music. The record companies get a unique view into hyped bands, and trends. They also benefit from targeted advertising. Currently I’m happy with that arrangement. I just hope the stats aren’t abused.
Myspace and last.fm also provide a way for new bands to get their music out there. I can sample music to my hearts content. Far better than buying an overpriced album, where you end up thinking half of it sucks.
CDs changed the format of albums, as they allowed them to break from the time constraints of vinyl. On the web an Album could be 24hrs long if an artist had the energy.
It falls down to fair pricing.