Spotify gets a new mini player in Facebook's mobile apps

Spotify

Now, you no longer have to leave the Facebook app to listen to songs or podcasts recommended on your feed. Spotify is rolling out this feature to its iOS and Android apps in 27 countries, including Canada. The first time you use the player, there will be a prompt asking you to connect the music and social apps. You'll be asked to sign in if you haven't yet.

As you play audio content, the mini player lives on the bottom of the interface just above the navigation icons. You'll see an album or show artwork and title and artist info. Premium subscribers get the full functionality of the player, while free users have access to shuffle mode. There will also be ads playing for free Spotify subscribers, as what happens on the Spotify app. Those without Spotify accounts will get a 30-second preview of the track.

Source: Spotify | Via: Engadget

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