Spotify tipped to offer its own paid podcast subscription option

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If the rumours are true, it looks like Spotify will also launch its paid podcast subscription option. And according to the Wall Street Journal's sources, Spotify might unveil this service "next week," which would come at the tail of Apple's paid podcast subscription announcement. But unlike its rival, Spotify supposedly wouldn't charge a fee or take a cut of each membership. The podcasters will set their own prices.

Those who use Spotify's iOS app will reportedly get steered to a website to complete the transaction, which would deny Apple of its "App Store tax." Spotify hasn't confirmed these rumours, but according to the company's chief content and ad business officer Dawn Ostroff, there was "room for everybody" in the audio space.

Source: Engadget

Spotify rolls out new personalized mixes based on your favourite artists, genres, decades

Sometimes you've played your favourite Spotify playlists to death, but you don't know what to listen to next. Spotify is offering you more personalized playlists with the newly launched Spotify Mixes. These are inspired by the Daily Mix feature, but this time you get specific categories that you can pick from, including artist mix, genre mix, and decade mix.

Each mix takes your listening habits into account. Spotify promises "you won't just hear your favourite artists, but your favourite songs from those artists." As with the other personalized Spotify playlists, it will add songs that might suit your taste. These playlists are updated frequently to keep things fresh, and they will evolve along with your preferences. Spotify Mixes is rolling out for both Free and Premium users globally.

Source: Spotify

Spotify beta tests endless playlists on CarPlay

You no longer have to worry about switching from a track you don't like while driving with this new feature Spotify is testing out on its CarPlay app. The audio streaming service brings its Go to Song Radio function to the CarPlay app's Now Playing screen. The feature will make sure the service plays tracks similar to the ones you're listening to. Plus, it'll be an endless playlist of sorts if you keep hitting the button, so you don't have to be distracted by making a song choice while you're on the road.

Members of Spotify's beta program are the first ones to try this out. But it isn't clear when the feature will roll out to all users. It might be something to look forward to.

Source: 9to5Mac

Anchor and WordPress can turn your blog post into podcasts

As part of Spotify's Stream On event, podcasts played a significant role in its future. One feature to help entice more people to use podcasts is a new partnership between Anchor and WordPress. 

Writers interested in podcasting but don't know where to start can rely on their written works. You can turn your posts into podcasts by either reading the blog posts yourself or using third-party text-to-speech technology that Anchor will offer.

The feature is meant to bring your work to newer audiences without that much extra work. The hope is that it can help create a new revenue stream for you as well. There are other new podcast features we'd like to discuss in future posts.

Source: Anchor