Lala (website)

Lala was a web-based music streaming and storage service that allowed users to stream and download music. The service was launched in 2006 and was acquired by Apple Inc. in 2009. Lala was notable for its unique business model, which combined elements of music streaming and cloud storage.

History

Lala was founded by Bill Nguyen and John Kuch. The service initially allowed users to trade physical CDs through the mail, but it later transitioned to a digital model. In 2008, Lala introduced a web-based music player that allowed users to stream songs for free once and purchase additional streams or downloads.

In December 2009, Apple Inc. acquired Lala. The service was shut down in May 2010, and its technology and team were integrated into Apple's iTunes and iCloud services.

Features

Lala offered several unique features that distinguished it from other music services at the time:

• Web-based Music Player: Users could stream any song in Lala's catalog once for free. Additional streams could be purchased for a small fee.
• Music Storage: Users could upload their own music to Lala's servers and stream it from any device with an internet connection.
• Music Discovery: Lala provided recommendations based on users' listening habits and allowed users to create and share playlists.

Acquisition by Apple

The acquisition of Lala by Apple Inc. was seen as a strategic move to enhance Apple's music offerings. The technology and expertise from Lala were used to develop iTunes Match and iCloud, which allowed users to store their music in the cloud and access it from any device.

Closure

Lala was officially shut down on May 31, 2010. Users were given the option to transfer their music purchases to iTunes or receive a refund. The closure of Lala marked the end of an innovative service that had a significant impact on the development of cloud-based music services.

Legacy

Lala's influence can be seen in many modern music services, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Google Play Music. The service's emphasis on cloud storage and streaming paved the way for the current generation of music platforms.

See also

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Google Play Music
• iTunes
• iCloud