Music program Spotify is “unlikely to challenge” iTunes‘ digital music market domination, according to a technology expert.

A lack of portability and the preference for music fans to own what they listen to are going to be major factors in this, according to Jonathan Shingler of electrical sales company GfK Technology.

He added that due to a lack of “robust mobile internet access” and the fact that iTunes is “far more advanced in other services it provides” Spotify might struggle to capture a larger share of the market.

However, he commented that Spotify is a challenger for the direct music streaming market.

“It provides a unique take on streaming in that it lets you access the song of your choice whereas iTunes only provides 30 second clips or podcasts,” he said.

According to a survey of 2,000 digital music users published last week by GfK, 11 per cent have used music streaming service Spotify, while 50 per cent have used iTunes.

Music program Spotify is “unlikely to challenge” iTunes‘ digital music market domination, according to a technology expert.

A lack of portability and the preference for music fans to own what they listen to are going to be major factors in this, according to Jonathan Shingler of electrical sales company GfK Technology.

He added that due to a lack of “robust mobile internet access” and the fact that iTunes is “far more advanced in other services it provides” Spotify might struggle to capture a larger share of the market.

However, he commented that Spotify is a challenger for the direct music streaming market.

“It provides a unique take on streaming in that it lets you access the song of your choice whereas iTunes only provides 30 second clips or podcasts,” he said.

According to a survey of 2,000 digital music users published last week by GfK, 11 per cent have used music streaming service Spotify, while 50 per cent have used iTunes.

Phone giant O2 has announced plans to invest “hundreds of millions of pounds” into its 3G network.

The mobile operator, which currently supports the iPhone device, said that it needed to increase the capacity of the network in order to cope with the demands of the growing number of smartphone users.

By upgrading the network, O2 is hoping that it will be more capable of handling fast data transfers, something which is needed in order to get the most out of handsets such as the iPhone.

Derek McManus, chief technology officer for the firm, said: “Anticipating growth in demand for mobile services, we have quarter on quarter increased investment in our voice and data networks.”

Users of the iPhone can take advantage of the 3G network through the onboard internet browser, YouTube channel and other programmes such as TomTom’s satellite navigation application.

The battle for iPhone sales was recently heated up after Orange and Vodafone both agreed deals with Apple to sell the device.

Phone giant O2 has announced plans to invest “hundreds of millions of pounds” into its 3G network.

The mobile operator, which currently supports the iPhone device, said that it needed to increase the capacity of the network in order to cope with the demands of the growing number of smartphone users.

By upgrading the network, O2 is hoping that it will be more capable of handling fast data transfers, something which is needed in order to get the most out of handsets such as the iPhone.

Derek McManus, chief technology officer for the firm, said: “Anticipating growth in demand for mobile services, we have quarter on quarter increased investment in our voice and data networks.”

Users of the iPhone can take advantage of the 3G network through the onboard internet browser, YouTube channel and other programmes such as TomTom’s satellite navigation application.

The battle for iPhone sales was recently heated up after Orange and Vodafone both agreed deals with Apple to sell the device.

The TomTom iPhone application has received a free update bringing new features for satellite navigation users.

One of the major upgrades is that the app now includes compatibility for the original iPhone and iPod Touch, meaning that owners of older devices can now use the tool.

Advanced lane guidance has also been added for difficult junctions, which will let drivers see in more detail what lane they need to be in. These can be seen in both landscape and portrait mode.

Text-to-speech functionality has been included, which will mean that the phone will read out street names and places aloud as part of the spoken instructions.

TomTom’s special ‘help me’ emergency feature, which is included on its in-car satellite navigation systems, will also now appear on the iPhone, while there are also updates to maps and safety camera databases.

Owners of the application can also now buy a car kit, featuring a holding arm for the phone, with built in speakers and improved GPS signal.