Digital radios: Spotify: listen to free streamed music online Spotify on your mobile phone
Spotify for iPhone, Android and Symbian mobiles
In September 2009 Spotify made its music streaming service available on mobile phones.
Spotify Mobile can be used on iPhone and iPod Touch and phones with Android, Windows, Symbian or Palm operating systems.
To use Spotify on your mobile phone you'll need to pay for a Spotify Premium subscription – currently £9.99 per month.
The Spotify app works over either 3G or Wi-Fi networks, but unless you're on an unlimited data tariff you'll probably want to stream music over Wi-Fi to avoid high data charges.
Read the free Which? guide to free Wi-Fi hotspots.
Offline mode
So that you can still listen to free music when not in range of a 3G or Wi-Fi signal, such as when on a plane or underground, you can sync your Spotify playlists using an 'offline mode'.
Synching caches (saves) tracks on your mobile handset, up to a maximum of 3,333 tracks. This means that you can sync using (free) Wi-Fi and then listen to your music later while not connected to a 3G or Wi-Fi network, saving on data charges.
iPod compatibility
In May 2011, Spotify made it possible to manage iPods in Spotify. Connecting an iPod Classic, Nano or Shuffle to the computer via USB adds it to the 'devices' section of Spotify's sidebar, so music can be transferred between the two.
Purchase tracks and playlists
Another addition in 2011 is the ability to purchase tracks and playlists using Spotify's download service. Anyone not using the Spotify Premium service which allows playlists to be listened to on mobile devices offline, can purchase playlists to listen to on mobile phones instead.
Sign up to the Which? technology email
Keep your finger on the pulse of digital technology by signing up to the weekly email from the Which? Technology team.
Every Tuesday we'll send you the latest news and reviews of MP3 players, mobile phones, cameras, high-definition TVs and other gadgets.
Packed with the latest product launches, First Look reviews, expert advice and some incredible deals - can you afford not to be the first to find out?
You can also follow WhichTech on Twitter for all the latest technology updates.
