Spotify is quietly turning itself into a storytelling platform for artists
To provide more ways for artists and creators to engage with audiences, Spotify is testing out its own version of the popular Stories format, with a new feature called Storyline. It has also launched a new online tool that vastly simplifies the creation of podcasts. Here's what you need to know.
Looking for podcasts? Google lets you find and play them in its web search
Not content to simply have its own dedicated podcasts app, Google is now letting people find podcasts from within its web search, and play the most recent episodes inside a dedicated web-player. The move comes after the BBC recently decided to pull all of its podcasts from Google's platforms.
Digital Trends Live: Spotify vs. Apple, kamikaze drones, and more
On today’s Digital Trends Live, we discuss Spotify’s accusation that Apple monopolizes streaming music, Uber and Lyft drivers' strike, bounty hunters buying wireless location data, Volkswagen’s EV record attempt, QR codes during TV shows, kamikaze drones, a robotic farm sells produce, and more.
Spotify tests voice-enabled ads for those who prefer talking to tapping
What do you do when you hear an ad on the radio, or perhaps Spotify? Odds are, not much at all. But that may soon change: Spotify is now testing audio ads that you can respond to with your voice. The first ads only take you to other Spotify content, but it's clear: We'll soon be able to holler back at our ads.
Digital Trends Live: Spotify hits 100 million subscriptions, simulated asteroid
On the latest episode of DT Live, we talk about the latest tech news, including Spotify's subscription record, NASA's deadly asteroid prep, Amazon's tracking (and firing) of workers based on A.I. results, a flying car skyport, Samsung's wraparound screen patent, and more!
Spotify is first music service to hit 100 million paying subscribers
Though it's still in second place in the U.S., globally Spotify is on a tear. The company revealed in its Q1 2019 report that it had hit 100 million paying subscribers worldwide, making it the first streaming music company to achieve the milestone. It has also stayed profitable, though challenges remain.
Amazon will reportedly launch a hi-fi version of Amazon Music Unlimited
A new report suggests that Amazon is in the final months of preparation for the launch of a new hi-res tier for its music subscription service. If true, it might launch later this year, for around $15 per month, making it the first of the big streaming giants to take this step.
Amazon’s free Spotify competitor is here. Just ask Alexa
Just ask Alexa to play your favorite song. Amazon has launched a free, ad-based music streaming service to compete with Spotify's free tier on its popular Echo devices, aiming to keep listeners into the Amazon ecosystem, and to bolster subscriptions to its paid Amazon Music Unlimited service.
Spotify now personalizing its curated playlists to help improve music discovery
In an attempt to improve the selection of songs that listeners hear when tuning into Spotify's mood-based playlists, the streaming music company has started to use personalization to alter which tracks are part of the mix. The move could have a material effect on artists, who depend on their tracks being heard.
Spotify adds mystery and crime to its podcast arsenal with Parcast acquisition
Spotify continues to add to its growing collection of podcasting assets, this time with the acquisition of Parcast, an L.A.-based podcast studio known for its lurid, true-crime and mystery titles, that have garnered a significant audience since the company began in 2017.
If you’re a Spotify Premium subscriber, you now get Hulu for free
Spotify Premium subscribers have yet another reason to love the Swedish streaming service, with the company now offering ad-free Hulu accounts to all premium users at no additional cost, poising it to compete with the upcoming Apple video streaming service, which will likely offer Apple Music bundles.
Google Clock now also supports Pandora, YouTube Music as alarm options
Google Clock, through its version 6.1 update, finally added Pandora and YouTube Music as alarm options, following Spotify which has been supported since July. Users will now be able to choose tracks from these services to wake them up in the morning, instead of jarring sounds or annoying jingles.
Garmin’s Vivoactive 3 Music adds Spotify support for tunes while you tone
After releasing Spotify for the Fenix 5 Plus series and Forerunner 645 Music last year, Garmin made good on its promise to bring the music streaming service to its Vivoactive 3 Music fitness watch. Owners can download the app to their watch and connect to wireless earbuds for listening everywhere.
Apple Music encourages subscribers to give friends a free 1-month pass
It's no secret that Apple has its sights set squarely on Spotify's enviable subscriber count, but how will Apple Music grow its base? Apparently by using existing customers as a recruitment service. Subscribers are encouraged to send friends a one-month free pass to the streaming service.
Spotify could terminate accounts of listeners using ad blockers
Bad news for those who use an ad blocker to get rid of annoying ads on Spotify -- the company has updated its Terms of Service to explicitly ban ad blockers. There are potentially serious consequences in place for users found circumventing the rules, including suspending or terminating your account.
Using an ad blocker with Spotify? Prepare to be terminated
Ad blocking has been used by over two million of Spotify's customers, the company revealed last year. Now, it's going to try to eliminate these accounts permanently. Changes to its terms of service have made it officially unacceptable to use any technology that circumvents ads, under the threat of termination.
Spotify buys two podcast companies, and plans to spend even more
Spotify purchased Gimlet Media, the startup behind Reply All and the Homecoming podcast that Amazon turned into a show, for over $200 million. It has also picked up Anchor, making the streaming music company the second largest podcast platform behind Apple.
The best songs about money
There may not be as many songs about money as there are songs about love, but it's a close second. If you're looking for a cash-inspired playlist to jam to on the way to work (or for any other time, really), look no further than our picks for the best songs about money. Dollar, dollar bill, y'all.
Spotify subscribers may have been hacked to stream fake ‘mysterycore’ artists
In late 2018, a number of Spotify subscribers noticed that their accounts had played bands they'd never heard of, making their top streamed artists of the year into an odd list of mystery bands. Here's what may have happened, and how to prevent it from affecting your precious streaming account.
Digital Trends Live: Oscar nominations, the future of blockchain, and more
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we discussed Oscar nominations for the Netflix film Roma and the latest Spotify features. We were also joined by journalist Rachel Wolfson to talk about the future of cryptocurrency and how the technology is poised to go mainstream.
Spotify adds artist-blocking feature, despite its denials
Though it continues to claim you can't do it, there's lots of evidence that Spotify has added an artist-blocking feature to its platform, making it easy for users to never hear a specific musician or band on any of the company's playlists, collections, or radio stations. But what does this mean for artists?
Jam out in hi-fi style with the 25 best playlists on Spotify
Music is the world's most potent drug, and the best playlists on Spotify will make you catch feelings. Whether you're looking for classic rock or modern hip-hop, we have you covered.
From Paul McCartney to Mariah Carey, this is the best holiday music
Whether you're a fan of classic jazz standards or modern R&B masterpieces, there's something for everyone on our playlist of the best holiday music. So pour some eggnog and curl up by the fire, this one is sure to get you in the holiday spirit, with countless classics and some modern hits to boot.
Spotify Wrapped reveals rad facts about your musical tastes and habits
The website may be a bit tough to find at first, but Spotify's new Spotify Wrapped tells you awesome facts about your year in listening. From how many minutes you spent jamming out to your top artists, and beyond, there's a lot to dig into on the company's annual year-in-review website.
You may soon be able to listen to your own songs on Spotify’s Android app
If you love Spotify's streaming, but also have a large collection of niche music, then it can be hard to marry your two passions. Switching back and forth between apps may soon become history for Android users though, as Spotify is apparently testing the ability to import local songs to its Android app.
It’s about damn time: Spotify is now on Apple Watch
Spotify subscribers will are now able to jam out to their favorite tunes on their favorite workout accessory, as the Swedish streaming service has offically released the first version of its official Apple Watch app. Users can play and pause music, and use popular Spotify Connect features.
No subscription, no problem. Free Spotify users can soon use Spotify Connect
Spotify Connect, which allows users to stream their favorite tunes to any Connect-enabled speaker, has long been one of the best premium-only features on the Swedish streaming service. Soon, free users will get it too, providing yet another reason to embrace Spotify before other services.
As Amazon turns up the volume on streaming, Spotify should shudder
Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and others are all looking to capitalize on the popularity of streaming music. But, as Spotify's quarterly revenue has shown, it's nearly impossible to make a profit under the current structure. Could major tech companies like Amazon be primed for a streaming take-over?
Spotify makes its Family plan more enticing with a free Google Home Mini
If you’ve been thinking about signing up for a Spotify Premium Family plan, there has never been a better time. The company is making the plan even more enticing by offering subscribers a free Google Home Mini for a limited time, adding a whole new level of control to your listening experience.
Spotify Premium cribs from Pandora with new Endless Artist Radio feature
As Pandora continues to catch up to Spotify in terms of the features it offers, Spotify is returning the favor, adding Endless Artist Radio for Premium subscribers as well as other features including newly streamlined navigation and a redesigned, easier-to-use search page.
With Spotify for Wear OS, you’ll soon have even more control over your music
After what has seemed like a long time coming, Spotify will officially be available on Wear OS smartwatches. Whether it's on a run or a while lounging at home, you will now be able to access your music right from your wrist. The app will be rolling out over the coming week.
Garmin listens to feedback, adds Spotify to Fenix 5 Plus Series watch
Garmin announced integration with Spotify, allowing customers to listen to offline playlists from their wrist. Starting now, athletes and adventurers who own one of the Fenix 5 Plus devices can download the Spotify app from Connect IQ and start syncing their music.
With growing competition, Spotify’s family plan crackdown could backfire
Spotify is cracking down on users who share their family plans with friends to help everyone save a little money. The service has begun using a controversial tactic to put a stop to this, which could end up being worse for the company than it might be for users over-sharing their plans.
No cell signal? No problem: Spotify now lets you download up to 10,000 songs
If you’re a Spotify user who frequently uses the service in areas with spotty signal, you probably download songs for offline playback, but until now you were limited to 3,333 songs. Now that limit has been raised to 10,000 songs, and you can download on up to five devices now, up from three.