Spotify ventures into video podcasts with new test

Photo by Ashley Carman / The Verge

Spotify is testing a new video podcast feature in its app. It's using YouTube stars' Zane Hijazi and Heath Hussar's Zane and Heath: Unfiltered as its testing ground. According to a source close to Spotify, the global test will be showing up for 50% of the show's podcast listeners. It's available on three recent episodes (28 through 30), but there doesn't seem to be a visual cue to let the testers know that the podcast episode comes with a video. Even with the video playing, you can still lock your phone and continue listening to the audio of the podcast, which might be appealing to some users.

As The Verge reports, listeners will see the video footage at the bottom of their screen when they play the episodes. To see it in full screen, they can tap on the video. The experiment is still in its initial stages, but the source claims it is likely to come to more podcasts soon and "fast." The feature will be useful for programs from Spotify-owned The Ringer since the network uploads video podcasts like The Rewatchables to YouTube already.

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Spotify introduces new personalized 'Daily Wellness' playlist

Spotify is introducing a new personalized playlist to help make mornings and evenings easier for you. The latest Daily Wellness playlist is rolling out now to users in the US and the UK and should be accessible through your Made For You section. Spotify relies on its algorithm to refresh the playlist with "motivational podcasts and feel-good music that can help you find positivity, mindfulness, or peace throughout your day." You might expect to hear inspirational podcasts and personalized tunes to help you start your day, or listen to poetry and practice some mindful meditation at night. In dire times we live through right now, we appreciate tools like these more. Now, let's hope the feature makes its way here, too.

Spotify Premium users can now hide songs they don't like in playlists

Spotify is letting its Premium subscribers have more control over what they're listening to on the service. Both Android and iOS users can hide songs they don't want to hear in any playlist on Spotify. A new "hide song" option is available from the context menu of the specific tracks. The next time you listen to the playlist, it won't play the song you hid. You can choose to un-hide songs as well.

Source: MacRumors

Spotify Kids app is now available in Canada

If you're worried about your children listening to songs they shouldn't, then you might want to try out the Spotify Kids app. The standalone music app for children launched in Canada, the US, and France on March 31. It's an ad-free app available for Spotify Premium Family subscribers and designed for children ages three and older. 

It has 30% more content than when it first rolled out in beta in Ireland in October. There are now 8,000 songs and 125 playlists made specifically for kids. On top of that, there are over 60 hours of stories, including fairy tales, Disney Music Group stories, short tales, and classic stories. 

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