Spotify users are finally getting the native iPad application they've been clamoring for some time. The app is available for free on the App Store, but like the company's existing mobile apps, it requires a $9.99 per month Premium subscription to use. That said, those without a Premium subscription can still try it free for 48 hours and also sign up for a further 30-day trial if they haven't done so in the past.
As you would expect, the app is optimized for the new iPad's Retina display and makes use of the extra screen real estate with high-resolution cover art images that can be scanned with a swipe, as well as menus and playlists presented in a layered UI that's somewhat reminiscent of Twitter for iPad.
Spotify for the iPad also comes with gapless playback and crossfade, two features the streaming music service launched in February, while supporting Apple's AirPlay technology for streaming music on compatible iOS devices and speaker systems. Check out the promo video above for a quick glimpse at some of these features.
The company wouldn't comment on whether an Android tablet version will follow any time soon.
For those unfamiliar with the service, Spotify offers free, ad-supported music streaming on the desktop from a catalog of over 17 million tracks. A $4.99 monthly plan gets rid of the ads and playback limitations, while the $9.99 per month plan enables streaming from mobile phones, tablets and other compatible devices.
Spotify has received plenty of attention since it arrived 10 months ago in the US, and it was already quite popular in Europe prior to that. But they are far form being alone in the music streaming market, with Rhapsody, Slacker, Pandora, Rdio, MOG, and a few others battling it out for a piece of the pie.