Apple approves Spotify app, surprises critics

Apple has made a somewhat unprecedented move and approved a music streaming application called "Spotify" into the iTunes app store.

Many didn't believe the app would make it past Apple's review process because of the application's similarity to Apple's iTunes app, but somehow it has today made an appearance into the store and is now available for free download in the US, Canada and the UK. First reviewed here, Spotify allows you to stream on-demand music to your PC and now your iPhone or iPod Touch, and the application features the ability to cache the music for later listening, even without an Internet connection. Though the application itself is free for download, you need to purchase a premium membership with Spotify to use it. Membership is currently only available to those in select European countries although a US version of the site is said to be in the pipeline. A similar application is now also available for Google's Android platform, with Spotify creating a special Web page with more information on their mobile apps. Could Apple be slowly changing its views on restricting apps after recent FCC inquires and backlash from developers?