Audio product of the year
Spotify
We once dreamt of an endless CD library stretching off into the distance from which we could pluck any album of our choosing, whenever we liked, for free. That was the ’90s. This year it was created and named Spotify. CDs have been outmoded by digital streaming, and computers are our hi-fi systems, but the concept remains: all the music you could possibly want, whenever you want, for free. Or, if you like, you can spend a monthly tenner and get ad-free access on your Android mobile or iPhone. If anything proves we’re turning a corner into a braver digital world, Spotify does.
Highly commended
