Twitter has launched its Twitter #music service, an iOS app for music discovery based on who users follow on the social media site.
The app uses all Twitter activity including posted tweets, user’s followers and those followed by any individual to detect any tracks or emerging artists that could appeal to the user.
Sourcing music from iTunes, Spotify or Rdio, users of Twitter #music can preview tracks featured in the app from iTunes or if they are Spotify or Rdio subscribers they can enjoy the full length track. Twitter has confirmed that other music providers will be added later.
Songs tweeted by artists or by those followed by the user will appear in the #NowPlaying section, and users are encouraged to use the hashtag to build the section.
Users can tap an artist’s avatar to see their top song, follow them on Twitter or view their Twitter profile from within the app and discover what other artists that musician is following.
Similar to the Spotify service, Twitter #music app users will able to track what their friends are listening to and check their recommendations.
If people aren’t avidly using Twitter or aren’t following many people, the Twitter #music app may feel a little empty, as the app requires an active Twitter presence to create the recommendations.
To help create the app, Twitter acquired music service startup We Are Hunted to help with the music discovery element, whilst Vevo, a music video service owned by Universal Music and Sony is providing the music videos.
According to Twitter the app will be available for iOS devices from the App Store later today to users in the US, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Twitter will be extending the Twitter #music service to other regions and to Android in due course.
