Opera Software recently announced that its Opera Max mobile app will roll out a feature that will allow users to stream music without eating much of their data cap.
Opera Max will integrate the new feature to services like Pandora, Gaana, YouTube Music and Saavn. Users who will stream their online music through these platforms will save 50 percent of their data when there are using Opera Max.
Opera Max is an Android app that help users in reducing mobile data usage across various services and apps on their smartphone. The app already provides data usage reduction on video streaming websites.
The app uses an optimization technology powered by Rocket Optimizer. These optimizing protocol works by converting MP3 and MP4 files into a more efficient AAC+ codec. By using the AAC+ codec, the streamed audio file retains its sound quality but uses a lower bitrate connection.
In a statement obtained by Android Central, Opera Software product manager Sergey Lossev said, "Now, we have added audio compression for these music apps so that people will feel free to stream music without having to look constantly for available, free Wi-Fi coverage. This is particularly helpful for users with limited data plans."
According to PC Mag, data compression plays a critical role for users who cannot afford to waste data. This is true especially in emerging markets like India where people pay premium prices for limited data plans.
In markets like the United States, online music streaming is not a big concern since most major network providers offer the service for free. For example, T-Mobile's Music Freedom feature offers unlimited music streaming to services like Spotify and Pandora without eating the user's allotted data bandwidth.