We have some bad news for Last.fm users. Last.fm is shutting down its subscription-based music streaming service at the end of next month. The company revealed this news in a forum post. It’s closing the $3 ad-free streaming radio function on April 28th, but it will continue to operate its ongoing “Scrobbler” music tracking, playlist building, and new music recommendation service to users.
The post lets us know that in Last.fm’s ten-year history “the music landscape has changed considerably,” and it has “been forced to make some very difficult decisions surrounding our core products and services.” It doesn’t mention exactly why they made the change, but it seems like it might have to do with music licensing issues, which are always a pain.
They are directing iOS users toward the Scrobbler app to build Last.fm playlists from the on-device music library, with similar apps being available for other platforms. Devices that use the music tracking service will continue to work as normal. You will still be able to subscribe to the site, where you can get 30 percent off the cost of Last.fm products, as well as the removal of advertising from the site and apps. So no more music streaming service, but you still have the tracking service.
Source Electronista
Filed Under: Technology News