An app/Widget Designed To Share Music
It has always been a thought in my head that there should be an app specifically designed for sharing music and interacting with each other to expand your musical palate. In the early days of music sharing, there was Myspace in which you could share .mp3 files and interact in other ways. Obviously it is no longer in service or is at least difficult to obtain access.
Credit: CleanPNG, Sam Hanks, Music and Techniques
The site Napster was once used as peer-to-peer file sharing sites, but was shut down as a result of copyright issues. The site was actually rebranded and acquired several times and still exists as a music streaming platform titled Napster, but with a small user base.
The Internet Underground Music Archive was not an app, but deserves mention as it was the first real site designed to share artists' music that didn't want to go through a record label. It essentially created the launchpad for online music today.
What these streaming platforms lack is a space for interaction and a community within their own app.
Platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music have made it easy to share music, lyrics, artist information, etc. from their application. Again though, neither has a community woven into their own site.
Ironically, it is Apple that released "Airbuds" in late 2022, an app I've only recently discovered.
Some of Airbuds' Features
The cleverly named "Airbuds" app is in the developer's own words:
"A widget for best friends to share their listening activity. You and your friends can see what each other are listening to right on your home screens. You can react to songs, play music on the app, and start a conversation."
At the time of writing this. I've probably had the app for a total of ten minutes. I am noticing a ton of cool features within the app, however.
Recently Played Songs From Friends
Personalized Music Space
Weekly Music Recap
Reactions To Songs
Best Friends
I have been desperately searching for an app like this and it seems pretty intuitive. As with any social media, the more accounts you follow and engage with, the more diverse your content will be. Another app I've experimented with is Bopdrop. I also recommend it, but my early indication is that Airbuds seems more user friendly and visually appealing.
You could also argue that TikTok is a music-sharing social media app, but I see it as more of an all-encompassing type of social media.
If you're interested, you can download the app below for both Apple and Android.
Also, since I'm new to the app add me below and we can see what everyone is listening to!
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