Earlier this week Spotify unveiled a new program called Spotify Platforms, which gives third party developers the opportunity to build innovative and engaging music-based apps.

The Spotify Platform comes with free Spotify Apps, which are aesthetically and functionally integrated within Spotify.  The first generation Spotify Apps features 16 partner apps, with 12 of them already available which you can search via the Spotify App Finder.

There are 13 global partners in the Spotify App Finder, which includes Billboard, Fuse, The Guardian, Last.fm, Moodagent, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Songkick, Soundrop, TuneWiki and We Are Hunted, with Top10 and ShareMyPlaylists apps soon to come.  Also, there are three Nordic partners which will be launching local apps, like Tunigo in Sweden, which already launched, Gaffa in Denmark and Dagbladet in Norway, which will be launching soon.

The Spotify Platform will enable innovation on top of music and add various layers of how music could be enjoyed.  This will also foster an environment for DJs to create the best lists and virtual clubs where people can get together and hear them, dance, and sing along.  This will also bring  fans closer to their favorite artists, as well as give great editorial partners and tastemakers a way to recommend music to everyone.

“Once you take a look, you’ll see why we believe this is truly the beginning of something game-changing for digital music,”  Spotify CEO and Founder Daniel Ek said during the conference.  “We think this will lead to integrations that keep Spotify beautiful and simple, but layer in great musical experiences designed to be social and fun. It’s what our users have been asking us for.”

You can preview what the Spotify developers are up to in their secret lab so you’ll have an idea what to expect in the future from your favorite online music streaming service.  Most of them are still in their testing phase so don’t expect them all to work properly.  Who knows?  Maybe you can even help them iron out some kinks.  And for developers who want to contribute to the Spotify community, you can take advantage of the Spotify Apps API.

If you want to watch the Spotify event, click here.  The password is l0vemus1c (both times).