Easiest/cheapest way to have music on the go?

November 25, 2012 4:43 PM

What is the cheapest and/or best option for listening to streaming (cached) music at the gym? Looking for hardware and software options.

I've been torrenting music for years and copying it to my old-school Sansa Clip. However, in the last year I've become addicted to Spotify and I'm willing to pay a premium to never have to go through the hassle of downloading music again.

However, I currently do not have a device that can run the Spotify app (I don't have a smart phone and don't plan on getting one in the near future). I will be using it primarily at the gym (which does not have free wi-fi) and while out on runs.

I'm looking for advice on two things:

1. What is the cheapest but still good quality device that I should use? ipods are $200, and i saw a Samsung Android thing for $120... is there anything better?

2. What software is best for streaming music? Right now I'm willing to pay the $10 a month for Spotify, but if there is a better service I'd be willing to switch.

Any advice would be appreciated.

posted by mikeweeney to technology (8 answers total)

I think you're asking for something that doesn't exist. Spotify (or any other streaming service) requires internet access, which means wifi or a cellular data plan.
posted by jon1270 at 4:56 PM on November 25, 2012

D'oh, I missed the (cached) bit. That you can do without full-time wifi or a smartphone. Sorry for any confusion.
posted by jon1270 at 5:12 PM on November 25, 2012

iPod nano ($149) + iTunes Match and iCloud will probably suit you. You'd have to build your own playlists and download data before playing anything, but then you'd have to do that regardless of what you get, if you're not connected to a network somewhere.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 5:29 PM on November 25, 2012

But you can make your playlist work offline on Spotify if you have the premium version. I'd buy a used iPod touch on eBay and just use that.
posted by dawkins_7 at 6:09 PM on November 25, 2012

I use spotify on my kindle fire, which has lots of other applications :-)
posted by ChuraChura at 6:11 PM on November 25, 2012

I really like Spotify; you could buy a cheapo Android just to run it.

(For example, the Kindle Fire is $129!)
posted by katrielalex at 3:32 AM on November 26, 2012

Carrying a 7" Kindle Fire may be difficult while jogging.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:26 AM on November 26, 2012

I ended up going with the Samsung Galaxy for $120 and Spotify and am very happy with it.
posted by mikeweeney at 3:03 PM on November 27, 2012