The legendary music player Winamp is poised for a resurgence, with plans to open its source code to developers globally on September 24, 2024. This strategic move is designed to ignite worldwide collaboration, enabling developers from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the software’s evolution. Developers can join the initiative by signing up at about.winamp.com/free-llama.
Winamp’s CEO, Alexandre Saboundjian, expressed enthusiasm for the possibilities this open-source approach presents, highlighting the potential for innovation across mobile platforms and beyond. However, he also acknowledged the significance of the vast user base on Windows, who will undoubtedly benefit from the collective expertise and creativity of the developer community.
Winamp’s journey began in 1997, revolutionizing the music listening experience in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Its popularity soared, reaching a peak user base of 90 million. AOL’s acquisition of Nullsoft, the company behind Winamp, in 1999 marked a significant milestone. In 2013, AOL announced plans to discontinue Winamp, subsequently selling it to Radionomy, which released an updated version in 2018. The Winamp 5.9 release candidate became available for download in 2022.
This upcoming open-source release represents a bold new chapter for Winamp, fostering a collaborative environment that harnesses the collective ingenuity of developers worldwide. As Winamp embraces this new era, it remains committed to delivering exceptional music experiences while leveraging the power of open-source development.
