In its latest update, the classic Windows media player Winamp has integrated music NFTs into its platform. Winamp’s new feature will allow users to play audio files embedded in their non-fungible tokens, calling it a Web3 desktop upgrade.
Winamp’s latest version was launched in 1997 and allows music fans to connect their Metamask wallet via Brave, Chrome or Firefox browsers to Winamp. Winamp supports ERC-721 and ERC-1155 audio and video files and is compatible with Ethereum and Polygon.
NFTs prove digital ownership and provide a tamper-proof record of transactions involving a digital asset. In recent years, NFT enthusiasts have also begun to explore applications that connect NFTs to other digital media such as movies, music, TV shows, and real-world assets.
“The origins of Winamp have always been about accessibility and innovation, and today we are proud to launch the very first standalone player that reads audio NFTs as well as all other existing formats,” said Winamp CEO Alexandre Saboundjian in a statement. “This new version of Winamp lets people listen to any file they want, using a player they already love.”
Winamp says that the NFT support will be combined with other updates to make Winamp a universal and advanced listening platform that will include a cross-platform creator service that will launch in early 2023.
“Winamp was a key part of the first digital music innovation, when mp3 files changed the way we listen and enjoy music,” said Saboundjian. “Now we’re supporting the forefront of the next, as more and more artists explore web3 and its potential.”
Earlier today, Warner Music Group announced that it will issue music NFTs through LGND, a polygon-based marketplace.
Last month, musician, entrepreneur and music NFT enthusiast Justin “3LAU” Blau launched the Royal NFT Marketplace. According to Royal, when a collector invests in songs or albums on the platform, they receive a token representing a percentage of the music’s streaming rights and more.
“You earn royalties along with the artist and get paid when they do,” the Royal website states.
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