Spotify adds wireless syncing and iPod Classic, Nano and Shuffle support

Spotify have today announced a major new upgrade to their music streaming service which further puts them into direct competition with Apple’s iTunes.

From today, the mobile Spotify app will be available to all users, including Free account subscribers, allowing everyone to sync Spotify MP3 playlists to their mobile devices. Users won’t be able to stream tracks, but they will be able to manage their MP3 files using Spotify, meaning they no longer need to transfer downloaded tracks through iTunes.

What’s more, a new “Devices” tab in the Spotify control panel means that Spotify playlists can be transferred to Apple devices that don’t make use of apps, such as iPod Classic, Nano and Shuffle models. You’ll also be able to wirelessly sync downloaded MP3 tracks to iPhones, iPod Touch and Android devices; another feature missing from iTunes.

Daniel Ek, CEO & Founder of Spotify, says: “From today, Spotify really is the only music layer you’ll ever need. Our users don’t want to have to switch between music players, but they do want to take their playlists with them wherever they go, on a wider range of devices, more simply and at a price they can afford. Now we’ve made that possible on one of the world’s most popular consumer devices.”

Spotify have also bolstered their MP3 buying service, slashing prices to as little as 50p a track if you buy in bulk. That Cloud-based iTunes service looks more vital than ever to Apple’s plans now.