Winamp wants to open its source code. The company is trying to find co-developers. However, much is not yet known.
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A notice with a conspicuous date (December 16, 1) on the Winamp website announces that it will become open source. Accordingly, the company wants to publish the source code of the legendary Windows MP3 player on September 24, 2024.
Invitation to developers worldwide
It is an invitation to a global collaboration in which developers can contribute their expertise, ideas and passion to further develop this “iconic software,” writes the company. The initiative to open the source code takes the next step in the history of Winamp and enables users to participate directly in improving the product.
However, the specific design remains completely unclear at this point. Winamp does not mention the license for the source code. However, managing director Alexandre Saboundjian restricts: “Winamp remains the owner of the software and will decide which of the innovations make it into the official version.” That at least leaves room for forks and possibly alternative versions. The current Winamp CEO also announces that a new version of the mobile player will be released in early July.
Winamp is currently available for Windows and as an app for Android and iOS. However, as of now, the mobile apps remain closed source. Those interested can create their own Website for FreeLLama to register. Users registered there should then receive all news about the open source project.
Winamp looks back on an eventful history. The MP3 player dominated Windows desktops for many years. However, the software has now been pushed back by music streaming services, among others. It will be exciting to see whether opening it up as open source can revive the player’s popularity.
(dmk)