Apple approves Spotify app

After much speculation, Apple says it has now approved an iPhone application from Spotify.

Apple had been thought to avoid allowing applications that offered a similar product to any of its handsets core functions, such as its own iTunes Store.

The application will be available in countries where Spotify has a license, such as Sweden, Norway, Finland, Britain, France and Spain, but not the US.

Spotify is becoming increasingly popular, with Universal Music in Sweden reportedly saying that it’s now earning more from Spotify than iTunes.

The application would be free to download but would require a £9.99 per month subscription, which also removes ads, as well as an annual subscription option.

Rhapsody is also trying to become an app, and its owner RealNetworks has submitted its application to Apple, also with a premium subscription.