Spotify

Spotify, the music streaming service created by Swedes Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon, made its name by making millions of songs and tracks available for free.

HOW IT WORKS

In May 2011, however, it slashed in half the amount of free listening available to long term users of its service, with listening hours cut from 20 to 10 hours a month and users limited to playing tracks a maximum of five times for free before being asked to cough up.

For those that are prepared to pay, £4.99 a month gets you unlimited use and relief from the annoying radio jingle style ads. For £9.99 a month you can have a premium account, which gives you many extras, including access to Spotify on your mobile.

EASY TO USE

Spotify is very easy to use: set up an account, download the software, search for music and start listening - immediately. There's no hanging about, no buffering delay. In that sense, this is a wonder. We put in Moxy Fruvous, Yo La Tengo and Bach and had hours of listening.

Every track on Spotify has its own URL that can be sent by email or Twitter or any other messaging system. This of course makes it very easy to share music. Users are also able to purchase tracks.

Updated 15th July 2011