Discuss: Subscription music comes to the iPhone: Rhapsody app exclusive screenshots and details
Yep, Rhapsody is coming out with an iPhone app. Or at least they want to. Real just submitted it to the App Store for approval, so it may be a few weeks before it's actually available (assuming Apple doesn't get all fussy and block it ). If it does get approved, it'll be the first major, fully on-demand subscription music library app on the iPhone -- besides iTunes, of course, and therein lies the rub. What you get is nothing less than full access to everything in...
19 replies / Originally posted by peter / Latest reply from molofson / Topic is open
Oh please! An all-you-can-eat-music subscription service on my iPhone?
Sign me up.
(And if version 2 makes it through the App Store approval gauntlet, oh man.)
Sign me up.
(And if version 2 makes it through the App Store approval gauntlet, oh man.)
Posted 6 months ago
I somehow think that the all music online version of this app will have no problem, but we won't be seeing the ability to download content to your phone outside of the iTunes infrastructure until the heat death of the universe or FCC/EU injunction.
Posted 6 months ago
This sounds pretty nice. It would knock off one benefit of getting a Zune HD instead of an iPod Touch. But I wouldn't be surprised if Apple found that this duplicated functionality.
Posted 6 months ago
I can't see it ever being released. These subscription based services rely on the ability to "turn off" the song after a set time...so if you have a month subscription, they need to be able to stop you listening to the track after the month is up. Now this capability has to be built into the player. My Creative players all had a timer built in for this very purpose. I had a Rhapsody To Go account and I as long as I regular synced my player to their servers the timer would get reset.
The iPod doesn't have the "Play For Sure" DRM in it and it never will. It doesn't seem to have any time based DRM function at all, so I assume these services will either use their OWN, built into the app...that may fall foul to Apple's policy on code execution and interpretation WITHIN apps...or the songs will only play, streamed, via the app as long as you're subscribed. Apple so far has only allowed such streaming over Wifi. which to most is useless and is no way the same as being able to download an offline playable track like you can with the Zune.
The iPod doesn't have the "Play For Sure" DRM in it and it never will. It doesn't seem to have any time based DRM function at all, so I assume these services will either use their OWN, built into the app...that may fall foul to Apple's policy on code execution and interpretation WITHIN apps...or the songs will only play, streamed, via the app as long as you're subscribed. Apple so far has only allowed such streaming over Wifi. which to most is useless and is no way the same as being able to download an offline playable track like you can with the Zune.
Posted 6 months ago
The only problem is that the app won't run in the background which is of course a limitation in place by Apple. Sucks that Apple is stifling such great apps.
Posted 6 months ago
If this ever got approved by any act of God it would mean it has a similar subscription based music service like the Zune marketplace on top of the a-la-cart shopping method. I hope it does get approved since I have free Rhapsody forever! I just haven't used it since I got my iPhone a year ago.
Posted 6 months ago
If this or the Spotify apps ever see the light of the app store they will be gimped. Wifi only...no running in the background...no downloading right to the device for offline listening. It'll be pointless.
If I'm at home in contact with my Wifi, I'm also in earshot of my stereo and my PC. If I'm somewhere with Wifi like an airport do I really want my phone to be useless to me while this app for music runs exclusively. I usually surf the net while listening to music. The only thing that app makers can really do is use the ability to build the browser into their app, which most don't.
If I'm at home in contact with my Wifi, I'm also in earshot of my stereo and my PC. If I'm somewhere with Wifi like an airport do I really want my phone to be useless to me while this app for music runs exclusively. I usually surf the net while listening to music. The only thing that app makers can really do is use the ability to build the browser into their app, which most don't.
Posted 6 months ago
ZOMGKITTENS!!!!!!!!
Still, wanna Zune, but... if this is for real, I might just forego it. Damn.
EDIT: Oh, it's streaming only for now? Zune it is, then.
Still, wanna Zune, but... if this is for real, I might just forego it. Damn.
EDIT: Oh, it's streaming only for now? Zune it is, then.
Posted 6 months ago
I think they submitted this a few weeks ago.. so Apple has been taking their time as usual. This plus backgrounder = bliss.
Posted 6 months ago
I'm a long time subscriber to Rhapsody and have been waiting (impatiently) for this news! As for not running in background, two words - 'jailbreak' and 'backgrounder'. I listen to Slacker radio - another great app - all the time on my iPhone and it runs just fine in the background. Having Rhapsody's catalog at my beck and call will be the pig's wings.
Posted 6 months ago
the interesting thing is that if you were listening to a track streaming, and you click buy it will take you to the itunes store, not rhapsody, so they are trying to be somewhat sane in the approval process.
Posted 6 months ago
Weird they don't plan to make it available to Rhapsody Unlimited subscribers. Having a larger base of customers unable to use the app when it's rejected could be more valuable to Real politically speaking than the extra 2 bucks a month they're hustling for.
Posted 6 months ago
The Lala.com app is awaiting approval, where you can access your music stored in the cloud. Don't see that being approved either.
Posted 6 months ago
Hah, I love how we're all jaded with Apple now.
"Oh yeah, like *that* app would ever be approved."
Come on Phil Schiller, let's fix things!
"Oh yeah, like *that* app would ever be approved."
Come on Phil Schiller, let's fix things!
Posted 6 months ago
Why are so many people worried about offline listening? I would absolutely love to be able to stream the entire Rhapsody catalog over the air. That is the magic of subscription services - all music, all the time - with no thinking about buying anything or spending any time moving files around. I am totally sold on the subscription concept.
If this gets approved, it might even cause me to reduce my Apple hate to the point where I would buy an iPhone when my AT&T contract needs to be renewed in a couple months. The iPhone IS a beautiful piece of hardware. I just don't like the smug, hipster culture that has grown up around it.
If this gets approved, it might even cause me to reduce my Apple hate to the point where I would buy an iPhone when my AT&T contract needs to be renewed in a couple months. The iPhone IS a beautiful piece of hardware. I just don't like the smug, hipster culture that has grown up around it.
Posted 6 months ago
Mostly because...then why do you need the iPod/iPhone for? If you're indoors you have a PC, you probably have a laptop. You're not under the illusion Apple would let you stream this over 3G are you? They only allow Pandora and Last.FM on that because the song selection is random.
Posted 6 months ago
I actually agree with you. I fully expect Apple to reject this app or cripple it and make it work only over wi-fi.
But, the offline listening part is irrelevant since the Apple hardware/software does not have the infrastructure needed to handle the time-based DRM that is needed for subscription tracks (AFAIK). And, you're right, I have no need for an iPhone to play offline because I have other players that play Rhapsody subscription tracks, including my phone.
What I want is the jukebox in the sky: the on-demand infinite CD-changer that lets me play what I want when I want. Then, I am totally freed from time consuming music management and moving files around. I hate carrying bits around. Bits are for servers.
This app, if it works, is that thing. I believe that 3G bandwidth is sufficient for this, and is only going to grow.
But, there is no way that Apple will let anything get in the way of its captured minions plunking down 99 cents a track.
But, the offline listening part is irrelevant since the Apple hardware/software does not have the infrastructure needed to handle the time-based DRM that is needed for subscription tracks (AFAIK). And, you're right, I have no need for an iPhone to play offline because I have other players that play Rhapsody subscription tracks, including my phone.
What I want is the jukebox in the sky: the on-demand infinite CD-changer that lets me play what I want when I want. Then, I am totally freed from time consuming music management and moving files around. I hate carrying bits around. Bits are for servers.
This app, if it works, is that thing. I believe that 3G bandwidth is sufficient for this, and is only going to grow.
But, there is no way that Apple will let anything get in the way of its captured minions plunking down 99 cents a track.
Posted 6 months ago
For the version one release, which is much like their web-based online streaming app, I think the requirement of a "To Go" subscription is bullocks.
Until they really have true 'offline' capabilities the other Rhapsody To Go devices as advertised in 'version 2', Real is overcharging for this service.
That being said, Apple approving this app may probably make me purchase iPhone over Windows Mobile.
Until they really have true 'offline' capabilities the other Rhapsody To Go devices as advertised in 'version 2', Real is overcharging for this service.
That being said, Apple approving this app may probably make me purchase iPhone over Windows Mobile.
Posted 6 months ago
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By jonursenbach
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Joined: Jul 2, 2009
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I've never bought a Rhapsody product before, but if this app makes it through the processes I'll definitely be shelling out some money for this sucker.
Posted 6 months ago