Winamp refuses to die, here is the 2023 version

  • 25 years after its creation, Winamp still has more than 83 million users
  • It has also just launched its new reader
  • The new project aims to make Winamp a hub for MP3s, Spotify streaming, radios, podcasts and even audiobooks

Winamp is now 25 years old. But unlike other popular apps or services of its generation (think Encarta or MSN) are gone, Winamp resists. As an article by Fast Company reports, the classical music player still has 83 million monthly users today. This old-school music player will continue to exist, but at the same time, Winamp intends to reinvent itself with a new version launched this week.

For the moment, the new Winamp is only accessible in web version, on computer and on mobile, with limited functionalities. You can use it to listen to podcasts, as well as radio stations. But it intends to evolve, and become a kind of hub for the consumption of audio content. While the old Winamp was used to listen to all audio formats on the computer (it was the era of MP3), the new Winamp wants to become a sort of hub for streaming. An all-in-one service.

There will be two Winamp

According to Fast Company, the new Winamp will have iOS and Android applications in the third quarter. And Windows and Mac applications will land in the last quarter. Then the serious things will begin: Winamp wants to centralize your music by combining the audios stored on your device with an integration of Spotify. The player should also support the audiobook format.

“In the past, it was in Winamp’s DNA to play any format, so we tried to keep the same spirit with the current player to access all audio services”explains Thierry Ascarez, commercial director of Winamp, quoted by Fast Company.

And that’s not all. Winamp also concocts a rather special feature called Fanzone. This is a space meant to connect users with artists. A space that could remind Patreon and on which it would be possible to buy derivatives or NFTs. Winamp would then make money by taking a commission on transactions.

While waiting for these big projects to materialize, the old Winamp is still there. And it will continue to be offered even when the new Winamp apps are available. “The old reader will remain as it is”, assures Thierry Ascarez. Contrary to what one might think, playing MP3 files is no longer its most popular feature. People would rather use the player to listen to radio stations online.

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