I remember the launch of things like Google Maps and the fun of discovering that yes, that actually IS the kids in the garden of your house with the tent up! Or http://www.worldwidetelescope.org from Microsoft, which to me demonstrated one of the most amazing uses of the internet that I had ever seen, even if you’re not into star gazing.

About a month ago I was sat watching Channel 5’s ‘The Gadget Show’ and they were talking about online music. Although slightly distracted by Suzie Perry, I soon became aware of them talking about a new music streaming website called Spotify http://www.spotify.com. So the next day I took a visit and downloaded the client just selecting the free option to see what it was like.

What a fantastic idea! Spotify are coming in on a different approach to obtaining music online, rather than purchase your MP3 albums you now just pay a small subscription if you dont want adverts, or have a very short advert about every 3 songs or so and listen for free, but this is NOT internet radio!

Using its simple to use interface you just type in the name of the song, artist, group etc.. and up come all the songs available. You can then select the individual song, the album or just build your own playlists and set it going! The sound quality is very good sounding very much like a DAB radio in quality and the streaming is simply amazing - I would love to know the technology they use to stream the music so fast, its quicker than my CD player can spin up! The number of groups and tracks available is also vast with more and more labels and bands signing up all the time. Even Porcupine Tree is on there - much to Dan’s disappointment!

I have become such a fan that my old laptop at home is left wired into the stereo and pretty much all I listen to is Spotify rather than CD’s. Go take a look on your home PC and see what you think!