Spotify is excellent on your own laptop or pc, but what if you want to play that music during your home audio system? To integrate Spotify into a home audio system you will need a stand alone solution that can access Spotify without your pc. Fortunately,Spotify released spotify streams that allows software developers to create their very own custom Spotify software. What does this mean? well the api enables you to create custom applications to interface with the Spotify client. Many great applications have been created, most are based around sharing playlists between users nevertheless, you can go further. For example, there's an app that enables you to stream Spotify to your hifi via Apple's Airport and Airtunes adapter.
This will enable you to play Spotify music on your hifi, but you'll still need your laptop/PC also it lacks the convenience of a larger integrated whole house system. What's possible, would be to combine Spotify with a server application that integrates with a variety of remote controls, keypads or touch-panels in the home. One solution is to build a stand alone box that acts as both a Spotify client and a tcp server which might be controlled from any number of ethernet devices throughout the home. The unit could be tucked away in a cupboard as well as rack mounted within an existing AV hub. The box could be connected right to a TV or hifi, nonetheless it can even be connected into a entire home AV system, whereby the Spotify music stream could be switched to any room in the house.
Lots of the cool Spotify features could be easily incorporated into convenient hand held controls. Types of what's possible include: a Spotify search feature that enables you to search by track,album and artist. You can also develop a seamless menu system that enables you to search between these categories. You'll also manage to create and edit play list from your own searches and also incorporate other's play lists. Like the Spotify web browser, cover art, album and artist information and also a listing of recommended artists based on your current music choices are all possible!