Spotify Opens Up And Works On Linux—But Makes Facebook Compulsor

Spotify is one of the biggest partners joining Facebook for the launch of the social networking site's new Open Graph API, but the company has just announced that its Spotify Open membership will be discontinued. 

Don't worry though, as this curious coincidence is actually very good news: what were 'Spotify Open' accounts are now to be simply called 'Spotify' accounts.  And for new users, the ten hour cap on monthly listening will be removed for the first six months, whether they take out a paid subscription or not.  Recent members will be included too. 

The other piece of good news is that the integration between Facebook and Spotify will even work with Linux.

Facebook Compulsory

But the biggest (and worst) surprise is that from now on, a Facebook account will be compulsory for new Spotify members.  Of course, you don't have to use that Facebook account, and you can deactivate the automatic publication of the tracks you listen to in your news feed—but that requires a bit of effort and the whole thing is rather disconcerting.

The new partnership might help Spotify anchor itself in the US, but it could also lead to a mass exodus of existing subscribers.  We're hoping to find out more about how it will affect current members soon. 


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