MyStream is a new, free app [iTunes link] for the iPhone (soon available on the iPad) that allows music fans to listen to jams with friends and check out others’ collections. After downloading the app, one adds media from one’s iTunes, adding either all of one’s music or selections. After enabling one’s playlist and streaming from one’s phone, a user can then share his or her music with others who have the app. All users (in the proximity) will be listed under a tab called “Streamers.”
In a way, the service is a lot like the “Home Sharing” feature on iTunes, with some key differences. The only time one can listen to a full song is when the user one is sharing with is listenin g to said song.
So, let’s say I wanted to share Low’s new single with a friend (or even more than one friend). We could both listen to it at the same time on our respective devices (provided we’re on the same Wi-Fi network, or using Bluetooth).
If my friend wanted to check out the new Peter, Bjorn and John album (residing on my phone), however, he would only be able to listen to 30-second previews of those songs, unless I was actively listening as well. Founder Richard Zelson hopes to remedy that issue soon, but the limited listening ability is currently in place to avoid legal issues.
The app also includes the option to buy those songs via iTunes after listening to 30-second previews, making it a pretty nifty recommendation tool that also benefits the artist.
You can’t, however, share songs via Facebook or Twitter, but that’s not the function of the app, according to Zelson. It’s more an app for real-life sharing t han virtual.
At...
