Winamp, the Iconic Music Player of the early 2000s, Returns with a New Version
Winamp 5.9: A Long-Awaited Comeback with Modern Upgrades for the Iconic Music Player of the Early 2000sWinamp, the music player that was once the go-to for people who used file-sharing services to download their favorite songs, has made a comeback after years of being out of the spotlight. Originally launched in the late 1990s, Winamp was eventually overshadowed by newer music apps and business models, but it never truly died. In fact, a company called Radionomy purchased Winamp's remains from AOL in 2014 and has been working on updating the app since then.
- If you're not familiar with Winamp, it was similar to Spotify, but instead of streaming songs, you had to manually search for and add each individual song to the app to listen to them -
As shown above: Winamp’s Old Version
After a long wait, Winamp's newest version, Winamp 5.9 RC1 Build 1999, has finally been released. This version results from four years of work from two development teams, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing delays in between. While most of the work done in this version is behind-the-scenes, it modernizes the app's codebase, making it more compatible with modern devices.
The new version of Winamp requires Windows 7 SP1 or newer, dropping support for Windows XP. However, users have reported some usability issues due to the app's outdated interface, which was designed for turn-of-the-millennium Windows computers. Despite this, the new release represents a significant step forward for Winamp, and it's a promising sign for those who have been waiting for updates for years.
As shown above: Winamp’s Newest Version
The new mobile version of Winamp has several features, such as streaming podcasts and online radio stations. The app can play locally-stored music files on the device, and it will also integrate music streaming subscriptions, allowing users to access their playlists from Spotify through Winamp, among other things.
However, Llama Group's plans for the app extend beyond just music playback. They envision Winamp as a platform connecting artists and their fans, enabling creators to become their merchants. The Fanzone feature has been added to the app to facilitate this, allowing creators to create tiered subscription plans for their fans, offer exclusive content, and sell artist merchandise.
All in all, Winamp's long-awaited return has finally arrived, and it's sure to please fans of the classic music player. While the new version may have some usability issues, it's a significant step forward for Winamp, and it's exciting to see the app being updated and modernized after so many years. If you're a fan of Winamp or curious to see what the new version offers, be sure to check it out. Head to Winamp's website to download their latest desktop version!
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