I came across this “spotify box” concept while reading through some blogs tonight. First off, I gotta say how nice of a concept this is.
The idea is simple. A small box to get your internet streaming from a source, pre-configured and as easy to use as possible. In this case, they are using Spotify for the example. Spotify is a competitor of someone like Rhapsody or Mog. Basically a subscription music service that gives you access to millions of tracks for a flat fee per month. I have been a long-time Rhapsody subscriber, so I can appreciate this a ton.
The clever thing here is the use of RFID tags that are magnetic and can be configured based on color to be your “selector” buttons for radion stations. What I don't think this shows in detail, and maybe I am taking this a bit beyond where the inventor was thinking.. but simple programming of the RFID chip to be your “source URL” for music makes a possible way to allow me to bring my subscription easily with me to other friends houses. Think of this: You go over to your friends house, everyone has their “chips” for music, and every radio is programmed to read the RFID chips with built in authorization. Now when I go to my friends house, even if he doesn't have Rhapsody, I can still play my music at his place with MY account.
Short post.. killer concept in my view. I'd like to think more about how to extend this out. Very clever Spotify box, and I hope they bring it to market as an extensible platform for others as well.