Application Winamp another major overhaul will take place soon. The site of the music player is preparing a version “for the new generation” and, apparently, it will be very different from the original project that popularized it in the late 1990s – early 2000s.
Radionomy, a software developer, is once again trying to bring Winamp to the music market, but the contours of the new program are still unclear. The new app, besides being modern, seems to have a different offering, which is closer to a full-fledged streaming service than a local file player.
Winamp could become a streaming service competing with Spotify (Image: Reproduction / Radionomy)
What raises suspicions about this new model is the app’s relationship with content creators. The platform will help artists keep in touch with fans and ensure “fair returns” in the process – a feature that only makes sense if they plan to become a competitor in the streaming segment, alongside shows like Spotify, Tidal, Deezer e Apple Music.
Information about the new Winamp is scarce at the moment, so it remains to await more detailed information on the software. Currently, any user can apply to test the beta version of the program, but there are no dates or forecasts for the testing period.
The come and go of Winamp
Released in 1997, Winamp quickly became popular in the music industry – in a short time, the application has registered over 3 million downloads. Later updates continued to be successful until 2002 when one of the builds was not well received by the community. Over time, the program gave way to other solutions, and in 2013 its support ended.
However, in 2014, the rights were acquired by Radionomy, which has released only one update since then. In October 2018, Winamp returned to the headlines with version 5.8 release for Windows 10. The program retained the original DNA of the program, but improved: it became the control center for all audio files, both tracks saved on the PC and those controlled by streaming services – the idea, unfortunately, did not get revenge.
