Rhapsody App (Now Available) Gives your iPhone Access to 8 Millions Songs via Monthly Subscription Service

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Last week’s approval and availability for the European streaming music app, Spotify, was a good day for those who like subscription music services. It indicates that Apple is loosening its App Store policy on other music services that competes with iTunes via subscription based services. Thus, it is not surprising that America now gets its own iPhone and iPod music streaming app. Rhapsody music streaming app has been approved and is now available for free download in the App Store.

Rhapsody for the iPhone and iPod Touch will enable its subscribers access to all 8 millions songs and radio stations provided by Real Networks . Rhapsody App users need to have a Rhapsody To Go subscription in order to gain access to these goodies. The subscription service will cost users $15 dollars per month, but users can sign up for the free service and use it free for 7 days, no credit card needed. It may be a good deal for those who listen to a lot of songs per month. Having access to 8 million song tracks available on your iPhone may just pump that app machine into the ultimate portable music player.

The app includes playlist creation and synchronization with web or desktop application. Users can browse through channels or top lists to browse for hot song tracks. Users can also search for music and song tracks by artists, titles, and albums. It also integrates with iTunes to allowing users to buy music without leaving the app.

The Rhapsody App, However, lacks one important feature. Users cannot store songs for offline playback. That means if you are at a location where there is no Wi-Fi or wireless data connection available, your ultimate portable music player is as powerless as your average mp3 player. Rhapsody has indicated that they will add this important feature in the near future. Offline playback for app subscribers shouldn’t be a problem for Apple as the Spotify app already includes this functionality.

There were times when no one was expecting to see on-demand music app in the App Store. Perhaps the FCC inquires have made Apple change their attitudes toward app approvals. This is a good sign for the developer as well as the consumers. Only with a loose app approval policy from Apple, can everyone make their iPhones their own ultimate mini-computer for everything they need in life.

Via The Apps Machine filed under Rhapsody On-Demand Music App