Rumor has it that Facebook is partnering with Spotify to launch a music service on the social networking site within a matter of weeks that would allow users to listen to music simultaneously with their Facebook friends. It also lets them play songs from the music service’s library of millions through Facebook. If the rumor proves true, it will still be some time before the feature is available in the U.S., since Spotify is still in negotiations with record labels about bringing its streaming capabilities stateside.
Prior to the smartphone era, music and social networking were previously linked thanks to MySpace, which provided artists and labels with an area to share their tracks and videos. Also, Facebook for a time, allowed users to post songs on their profile through a third-party app.
It is unknown if this musical feature will be integrated into Facebook’s mobile app, making the social networking site more akin to Pandora or Shazam, although Spotify itself has an app that allows users to listen to music, sync playlists and search for tracks. Facebook capabilities could be eventually integrated into the existing Spotify app, or vice versa.
The combination of social networking and music streaming has been piloted on a smaller scale by apps such as SoundTracking, created by Schematic Labs, and Flowd, but none have had nearly the reach available to both Facebook and Spotify. The integration of the social networking powerhouse and music streaming service in the mobile app space, although likely a ways away even if rumors prove to be true, could allow Facebook to virtually and lyrically steamroll rivals in both spaces.
