Spotify’s desktop app gets a fresh look

Image: Spotify

Spotify has neglected its desktop app for a long time, focusing more on its mobile apps and controversial podcasters. But now, the desktop and web apps have received a major makeover that the company calls "one of the biggest revamps yet." The new design aims to match the sleek smartphone app, which feels like a long time coming given Spotify started as a browser-based service before it expanded to mobile devices.

The main content area is still the same, with easy access to music and podcast recommendations. But the left side of the app window now has the new "Your Library" feature, which the company tested earlier. This feature lets you quickly access your saved music and podcast collections and switch between playlists. You can also collapse the library for a simpler view.

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Spotify redesign includes vertical video feeds

GIF: Spotify

Earlier this week, Spotify held its Stream On presentation to preview what's coming to the audio streaming service. The major changes include a revamp of its app design. It's what some have called the "TikTok-ification" of Spotify. Instead of getting a static carousel of playlists and recommendations, you get visual and audio previews of albums, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks in this endless feed. This style and the previews will be integrated into the search function, too.

Spotify also plans to integrate a pre-save feature within the app, which is what artists have used through third-party services before to gather data and contact information on people excited about their music. One of the recent changes, Spotify made to the app is the beta launch of a personalized AI guide named DJ, which is being tested here in Canada.

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Spotify has an AI-driven DJ for a built-for-you radio station

Spotify joins many other companies using artificial intelligence for its service. The app beta tests its new DJ feature in Canada and the US for Premium users. With an AI-generated voice, the app can create a customized radio station built around your musical taste. It isn't too far off what it's doing now with algorithmically-generated playlists. But now, you'll hear a voice intro and commentary we've typically only gotten from the radio experience. If you aren't feeling the recommendations it offers, there's the DJ button you can switch to change up the tracks.

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Spotify expected to layoff employees as soon as this week

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Spotify is the latest tech company expected to layoff employees as soon as this week. It isn't known how many of its 9,800 employees will be affected, but the company is reportedly moving forward with the plan to reduce operational expenses. This layoff is expected to be more broad than previous round of cuts in October, which affected staff working on canceled shows from its in-house podcast studios Gimlet and Parcast.

The streaming service has declined to comment on this report. But Spotify executives have previously signaled plans to reduce headcount-related expenses. CEO Daniel Ek told staff in June the company planned to reduce its hiring growth by 25 percent. CFO Paul Vogel also pointed to “increasing uncertainty regarding the global economy” during Spotify's investor day in June as a reason to evaluate its "headcount growth in the near term." The company is expected to report its fourth-quarter earnings on January 31.

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