From a technical standpoint, iLike’s platform is unique (for the moment) because it allows developers to utilize HTML and Javascript as opposed to Flash, enabling apps to offer music features that can be tightly integrated with existing functionality. For example, here are a few of my favorite use cases from iLike’s launch partners, which co-founders Ali and Hardi Partovi shared with me ahead of today’s release:
eVite: The original event management service will allow invitees to contribute songs to the playlist for the party.
Blogger and Typepad: Post a playlist to your blog and invite your readers to contribute.
Connected Weddings (Facebook App): Wedding guests can suggest songs, with the bridge and groom ultimately having control over what songs make the cut.
Similar to iLike’s own website and applications, there are some restrictions on the streaming music. Each listener can only stream up to 25 full tracks per month, at which point they’ll need to either upgrade to Rhapsody’s subscription service (iLike’s main digital music partner) or be restricted to 30-second previews.
This is in part where iLike hopes to make money out of the new platform. The Partovi’s believe that expanding their distribution by several orders of magnitude will lead to more Rhapsody upgrades, in addition to more concert ticket and merchandise sales – another piece of iLike’s business model.
iLike’s development partners don’t get a cut of this money, however, since the platform allows them to integrate music within their apps from front-to-back, the added user engagement should create more page views and ultimately additional revenue for them.