And so it goes. Last.fm, which just went to a pay-to-play model, is shutting down mobile streaming due to “licensing agreements.” This means unofficial Last.fm scrobbling and streaming apps will now be verboten – although for how long and to what degree are not clear.
The service will now cost 3 euros per month to users outside of the UK, US, and Germany and current subscribers will receive a 30-track trial.
Interestingly, the mobile changes actually address some non-public API calls that allowed software makers to stream Last.fm content relatively unpreturbed. The company said in a blog posting that these APIs will be closed.
The Future of Last.fm Radio APIs
As you may have seen on our blog, we’re making some changes to the way we structure our radio services.Last.fm has never had a public radio API, although we’ve tolerated third-party clients using the undocumented calls that our client uses. This is finally about to change – we’re going to make a public, documented streaming API available to everyone who has an API account. There are a few limitations:
1. Only subscribers will be allowed to stream using API applications unless you negotiate a separate deal with us – we need to get the money to cover royalties.
2. You won’t be allowed to use our API to stream to mobile phones. This is unfortunately a limitation of some of our licensing agreements. Again, we may be able to make an exception to this if you talk to us directly.These changes should be made by the end of next week. Alongside this, we’ll be shutting down the remainder of the old, undocumented streaming APIs over the next couple of weeks.
So much to building your app on a Web 2.0 startup API.
It seems now that they are cooperate, someone wants to count money and not user accounts.
As an iPhone dev I will sure learn from that lesson…
If I can specifically request tracks and albums then this is great. I use Rhapsody to Go at $15 a month, but I’m ticked off that they never released a Linux client. If last.fm can serve me in Linux I would go with them! Then I can stream on my new Dell mini 9 with ubuntu.
As a Canadian, I’ll be dropping Last.fm like a puck at opening face off.
I don’t feel like subsidizing the US market. Egregious strategy.
They collect all this user data for months and months (for free) to be able to work out those advert deals and now it’s pay up? That’s cold.
The irony of LAST will eventually be realized.
That’s a pretty bold move by last.fm. API’s are gone but streaming capabilities are unaltered which is a little odd. For 3 Euros/month it will be interesting to see how they end up. Whenever I subscribe to a new service I’m somewhat or completely unfamiliar with I check this* digital security site.
Last.fm (CBS) has to pay licensing for the music they stream.
They tried ad-revenue based funding. For markets outside the UK, US and Germany it didn’t work.
If not subscriptions (at a VERY fair price IMO) what SHOULD their business model be?
Audioscrobbler functionality, Gigs/Events, Groups, Biography, forums and news will all still be completely open and free for all markets.
It looks like my comments are no longer being allowed.
I’ve really enjoyed last.fm but my “free trail” is now up. I won’t be signing up unless last.fm is officially supported in Switzerland and I can get the app on my itouch.
It will be interesting to see if their new business model works, but they won’t be getting my spondoolees. Adios last.fm.
Andy