WiMP
Former music-streaming service
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
WiMP (standing for "Wireless Music Player") was a music streaming service available on mobile devices, tablets, network players and computers.[1] WiMP emphasized high-quality audio and offered music and podcasts for users to listen to. It was initially created as a high-fidelity streaming service aimed at audiophiles, offering music in high-resolution formats such as FLAC and ALAC.[2][3][4]
| WiMP | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Original author | WiMP Music |
| Developer | Aspiro |
| Initial release | February 19, 2010 |
| Stable release | 2.4.1
|
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, MeeGo |
| Platform | Adobe Air, cross-platform |
| Available in | Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, German, Polish |
| Type | Music |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | www |
History
WiMP was developed by Aspiro AB and the Norwegian music store chain Platekompaniet AS. It first launched in Norway in February, 2010.[2][5] In 2013, it introduced a HiFi tier specializing in lossless audio playback using FLAC and ALAC formats.[6]
On January 30, 2015,[7][8] it was announced that Aspiro AB had been acquired by Project Panther Bidco Ltd., which is indirectly owned by S. Carter Enterprises, LLC.[9] The company was controlled by Shawn Corey Carter, better known by his stage name, Jay-Z. Aspiro AB was sold for 464 million SEK, which was about €50 million or US $56 million. However, WiMP would later merge with Tidal under the Tidal name.[10]
Cost and availability
WiMP was funded by paid subscriptions such as music fees and subscriptions. As of 2012,[11] WiMP was available in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Poland.[12]
Tidal
The service was also available in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg,[13] France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Turkey,[14] where it was known as Tidal;[15] and emphasized the high-fidelity lossless mode, but the other modes, "High" and "Normal," were also available. Tidal claims to have 80 million tracks.
Last.fm integration
The application was integrated with Last.fm allowing a track to be "scrobbled."[citation needed]
Catalog and editorial experience
WiMP gave access to a music library of some 25 million tracks. WiMP had local editors in each country it operated, offering local and international music and in-app magazines. WiMP also offered music videos, which were available for Android users.[16]
Mobile devices
WiMP was compatible with Android,[17] iOS,[18] Symbian, MeeGo,[19] Windows Phone 7, and Windows Phone 8, as well as Squeezebox, Sonos, Simple Audio, Auralic, Teufel Audio and Bluesound.[20]