Introducing Rhapsody on the iPhone
Every day I watch Twitter to see what people are talking about with regards to our brands. I see lots of suggestions and lots of feedback, but the one thing that keeps on coming is this question: When will Rhapsody be on the iPhone? Or, when will Rhapsody be on Android? Well, we FINALLY have an answer: hopefully, very soon!.
This week Rhapsody will submit our on-demand streaming music application for the iPhone and iPod Touch to Apple for review. Why is this so cool? Well, if you’re a Rhapsody subscriber you already understand the benefits of an on-demand music service. But, until now, nothing exists like this here in the states. There is nothing quite as satisfying as needing to hear a certain song RIGHT NOW and being able to scratch that itch. That’s what we aim to do, and now it’ll be easier than ever. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve wanted to hear a song on my iPhone and guiltily plopped down $.99 to iTunes to please my impatient self. When I first used the Rhapsody app it seriously felt like the sun shone a little brighter that day. Music matters that much.
And the functionality? It’s easy. Intuitive. You’ll see a menu bar across the bottom of the screen, as is found in many apps. You’ll have the option to check out the queue, your library, browse the Rhapsody library (ahem, all 8 million + songs of it), search, and settings. The app has all the functionality of the client, or Rhapsody.com, only super portable. To get a better idea of what the app can do for you, check out this vid.
We know not everyone who uses an iPhone is a Rhapsody subscriber, but we think the app will appeal to anyone who has an affinity for music. Subscribers can just log in to the app with their existing user name and password and the experience will be seamless. Non-subscribers will have the opportunity to try the app for a limited time free-trial period.
We are working diligently on an Android app and once we’re done there, we plan to turn our sights on more mobile platform and carrier app stores. In the mean time, start getting your playlists ready in Rhapsody and Rhapsody.com. Music is about to get a whole lot better.
I have been a loyal Rhapsody-To-Go subscriber for years and I am thrilled with the app! After watching the little video tutorial I got the most out of it. Does everything it says it does. The edge is a bit spotty, but the WiFi is excellent. The only con I have is that we can’t listen offline (yet?). Good job!
Mine is working now on the iPhone. It didn’t work over 3G on my original phone but when I upgraded to a 3GS last week, it started working over 3G. Good app, but I’m now disappointed by the low bitrates. I can even notice the tinny sound on my otherwise crappy car stereo.
On the plus side, it was incentive to figure out how to jailbreak my phone, which I did. I can now run Rhapsody in the background.
If Real upgrades the bitrate, I stay. ($15/month is much less than I used to spend on CDs) If Spotify beats them to the US and has a better bitrate for the same-ish $, I go.
@Jason- that is great that it’s working. W/r/t sound quality- we are trying to address this in a future release. Stay tuned please!
hey,
What’s the rhapsody streaming bit rate over wi fi 3g and EDGE?
Currently it’s 64kbps, but we’re in the process of upgrading.
Any timeline for the bit rate upgrade?
Great Job guys. Can’t wait for next version but enjoying all that you have so far!!
I installed the app on my iPhone, logged in and the application has only worked ONCE! It will open, but my search function will not work. The music I have queued only streams for a few seconds before stopping.
This is day 3 or 4 of my “free” trial which is going to waste as we speak. As it is, I already pay $12.99/month for the regular subscription.
I have absolutely no idea how to resolve the issue. And yes, my iPhone has the latest software. I already reset the network settings, but that did not work.
So far, I’m very disappointed.
We are easily downloading free mp3 and and many more. Is it not possible to download the software the same way…free?
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So now the application doesn’t work AT ALL over 3G (and it crashed repeatedly before when it was barely working over 3G before).
The hundredth example of buggy, poor quality, development from Real. Maybe I’m the idiot for still being a subscriber. My patience has just about run out.
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This might spark some music sales, most people are not buying music anymore, if people subscribe to there free month of music it will probably strike some sales.
Can’t wait for the APP to be approved. I hope it wont’ be too expensive though.
The app has been live for months… you can find it in the app store. It’s free.
what is the bit rate of wi-fi, 3G and EDGE? Thanks