| WiMP | |
| Author: | WiMP Music |
| Developer: | Aspiro |
| Latest Release Version: | 2.4.1 |
| Operating System: | Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, MeeGo |
| Platform: | Adobe Air, cross-platform |
| Language: | Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, German, Polish |
| Genre: | Music |
| License: | Proprietary |
WiMP is a music streaming service available on mobile devices, tablets, network players and computers. WiMP, standing for "Wireless Music Player,"[1] was a music streaming service that emphasized high-quality audio. WiMP 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 was developed by Aspiro AB and the Norwegian music store chain Platekompaniet AS. It was first launched in Norway in February 2010.
On January 30, 2015,[5] [6] it was announced that Aspiro AB had been acquired by Project Panther Bidco Ltd., which is indirectly owned by S. Carter Enterprises, LLC.[7] 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 is about €50 million or US $56 million. However, WiMP would later merge with Tidal under the Tidal name.[8]
WiMP was funded by paid subscriptions such as music fees and subscriptions. As of 2012,[9] WiMP is available in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Poland.[10]
See main article: Tidal (service). The service is also available in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg,[11] France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Turkey,[12] where it is known as Tidal;[13] and emphasizes the high-fidelity lossless mode, but the other modes, "High" and "Normal," are also available. Tidal claims to have 80 million tracks.
The application is integrated with Last.fm allowing a track to be "scrobbled."
WiMP gives access to a music library of some 25 million tracks. WiMP has local editors in each country it operates, to present the local and international music and in-app magazines also available online. WiMP also offers music videos, so far available in the Android-client.[14]
WiMP is compatible with, Android,[15] iOS,[16] Symbian, MeeGo,[17] Windows Phone 7, and Windows Phone 8, as well as Squeezebox, Sonos, Simple Audio, Auralic, Teufel and Bluesound.[18]