Last.fm
Last.fm is a music website and streaming service that is owned by CBS Interactive. The Last.fm app is available for Android and iOS devices. It allows users to stream music and listen to curated playlists. The app uses a proprietary recommendation service that generates music suggestions based on the preferences of listeners. This app integrates with many music players and with other services like Spotify and Tidal.
- Music player with Spotify and YouTube integration
- Audioscrobbler helps with music recommendations
- Discover new artists
- Free version still available
- Available for Android and iOS
- Intuitive recommendation engine
- No longer streams radio stations without a paid subscription
- Some users report app crashes
Many people may not realize that Last.fm is entering its 16th year of service. It can now rightfully claim to be the largest online music service in the world. CBS purchased the company for $280 million in 2007, and millions of people have downloaded the app. It even comes pre-installed on some Android smartphones. Last.fm was primarily a method for streaming live broadcasts from radio stations. Users could search on a station and access a live stream. This was very beneficial for individuals who might be traveling. They could still listen to their local station by using the app. The company has now discontinued live streaming and functions as a scrobbling application. Scrobbling in Last.fm may be loosely defined as using data to determine an individual's music preferences. Audioscrobbler has now merged with Last.fm to provide users with music recommendations. The new version of the app was launched in 2014. It features an integration with Spotify, and it also has a radio player that is powered by YouTube. Individuals can still access radio streaming with a paid subscription, but free users are limited to basic recommendations. The most beneficial aspect of Last.fm is that it helps introduce music lovers to new artists in their preferred genre. It is a very useful app for individuals who want to expand their musical experience. The app and website provide useful features such as an indicator of which songs and artists are trending at the moment. This can change on an hourly basis, so users are often exposed to something new.