Internet radio service we7, which counted tech-savvy musician Peter Gabriel as one of its founder investors, has launched a free mobile radio app that lets users create their own personal radio stations. However, unlike competing services, these channels can work with or without an internet connection.
Customers simply pick the artists or genres they want to hear. we7 Radio uses innovative buffering and caching mechanisms to take advantage of WiFi or mobile data connections when they’re available, storing music tracks to play them when on the move.
Steve Purdham, CEO of we7, said “Mobile signals are unreliable for radio streaming but with the new we7 App you can still ‘use it if you lose it’ continuing to listen to your favourite music radio stations, regardless of connection. we7 radio lets you ‘charge’ up your mobile with great music and will transform radio listening across Europe as smartphones become the primary connected mobile device in the next few years.”
It’s a free ad-funded service; users who want to go beyond this ‘radio’ format to choose their own songs, albums and playlists can upgrade to an ‘on-demand’ subscription for £9.99 a month.
The free we7 Radio App is available from the Android Marketplace, with versions for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch due next month. BlackBerry and Windows Phone 7 versions will be launched later this year.