6 Linux Music Players To Replace Songbird
The Discontinuation of Songbird and Linux Music Player Alternatives
Recently, the Songbird development team announced the cessation of Linux support. The announcement, accompanied by the cheerfully illustrated bird image, initially led many to believe it was an elaborate April Fools' Day joke, particularly given the headline "Songbird Singing a New Tune."
However, the date of the post – April 2, 2010 – confirmed its authenticity. This news was met with considerable dismay by Songbird users on Linux systems.
Numerous comments expressing confusion and frustration appeared beneath the original blog post, prompting many users to seek alternative Linux music players.
While Songbird will remain functional on Linux, it will no longer receive updates, including crucial security patches and new functionalities. For those seeking a new music management solution, a selection of viable options is presented below.
Rhythmbox
Rhythmbox is a standard component of the Gnome desktop environment, including Ubuntu. Users previously dismissing Rhythmbox in favor of Songbird may wish to reconsider its capabilities.
This efficient Linux music player quickly indexes your music collection, providing rapid access. It integrates with two built-in music stores and, with Ubuntu 10.04, the Ubuntu One music store. It also supports iTunes network shares and features Last.fm tracking and podcast support.
Rhythmbox offers a familiar interface for former Songbird users, though it lacks customizable skins. It even maintains compatibility with the iPod – a feature Songbird has lacked for some time. It’s readily available through your system’s package manager or on the Rhythmbox website.
Amarok
Amarok, a QT4-based player, is often regarded as a top-tier music player. As the default player on most KDE systems, Amarok provides a comprehensive feature set, including Last.fm integration, multiple music stores, and integrated Wikipedia and lyric viewers.
Amarok efficiently builds a database from your music library, and also allows browsing by file structure. It offers comparable functionality to Rhythmbox and can be installed via your package manager or downloaded from the Amarok website.
Clementine
Significant changes accompanied the release of KDE 4, dramatically altering Amarok’s appearance. However, some users preferred the earlier version of Amarok.
This led to the creation of Clementine, essentially a port of Amarok 1.4 to modern KDE systems. If you enjoyed Amarok from several years ago, Clementine is the player you should explore.
Clementine is a highly efficient QT4 music player. While the interface may require adjustment for newcomers, its performance is noteworthy. The project’s existence demonstrates the passion of its user base, making it a worthwhile consideration. Clementine packages are available for download on its webpage.
MPD (and various clients)
For users seeking a streamlined experience, devoid of the features of Songbird, MPD (Music Player Daemon) is an excellent choice. Setup requires some effort, but the resulting system is remarkably stable and efficient, utilizing a client-server model.
Detailed setup instructions can be found on the MPD Wiki.
Banshee
Banshee shares similarities with Rhythmbox but offers a more visually appealing interface. Beyond its music library, it includes a video library and the unique ability to transfer videos to an iPod. It supports standard Linux features like Last.fm and podcast management.
The differences between Rhythmbox and Banshee are subtle; direct comparison is recommended. Banshee can be installed through your package manager or accessed via its website.
Gudyadequ
Frequently mentioned in comments regarding Songbird’s discontinuation, Gudyadequ is a relatively new music player developed by the UbuntuForums community. Its current functionality is basic, contributing to its speed and responsiveness. The tabbed interface may appeal to some users.
Gudyadequ is available for download at SourceForge.
Further Options
For an even broader selection, explore Damien’s article on 5 great alternative Linux music players. While it includes Songbird, it also highlights other excellent programs, such as Audacious.
Conclusion
The news regarding Songbird is unfortunate, but numerous alternatives exist for Linux users. The optimal choice depends on individual preferences. This article provides a starting point for finding a suitable replacement.
Furthermore, the possibility remains that the community may revive Songbird by forking the existing code. MakeUseOf will continue to report on any developments. What are your thoughts on Songbird’s discontinuation? Are you eager to explore new Linux music players? Would a community-driven version of Songbird be of interest? Share your opinions in the comments below.
