Waze and Spotify team up to make navigation and music more seamless for drivers

 

Crowdsourced navigation and realtime traffic app Waze has joined forces with the leading streaming music provider Spotify to allow users to more seamlessly access features while driving. Soon, Spotify users will have access to playlists on the Waze app. This means less multitasking, or having to leave Waze to go to Spotify.

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There are now 50 million Spotify subscribers

Spotify has hit another milestone in less than half a year. The music streaming service adds 10 million new paying subscribers in around five months, pushing them up to having 50 million users. To put it in perspective, Spotify spent less than half a year adding around half an Apple Music. Apple’s own streaming service hit 20 million in December, adding three million subscribers in three months.

This boost in subscribers for music streaming services underscores the changing consumer habits when it comes to music. More and more people it seems would be willing to pay a fee for all-you-can-access music instead of buying per song or per album. It would seem Spotify has the advantage at the moment, if these figures are anything to go by.

Source: CNET + Spotify

Spotify might be testing Hi-Fi option

Similar to what Tidal is doing, Spotify might be giving its paying subscribers a better audio quality option. Of course, at an additional price. Some Spotify users have shared on Reddit that they’re being offered the Hi-Fi service for an additional US$5 to $10 per month. But those who did try to sign up have either been getting an error message or notices that it wasn’t available in their area. This new offering will supposedly be called Spotify Hi-Fi and will provide lossless CD quality audio, discounts on limited edition vinyl, and exclusive pre-sale concert tickets. However, Spotify refused to comment about this saying it tests “new offers and products all the time.” If it does roll out, will you be willing to sign up?

Source: CNET

Spotify gets into original podcast game

Building on its own original content, Spotify is getting into the podcast game with three new podcasts series. The first one, which is already up, is called Showstopper. It’s hosted by The Fader’s Editor-in-Chief Naomi Zeichner and it tackles “pop culture analysis of our favorite music moments in TV.” Coming this March 14 is Unpacked. It’s co-hosted by Matt FX, music supervisor for Comedy Central’s Broad City, and Michele Santucci of Spotify Studios. It revolves around festivals and the people who are a part of it—everyone from musicmakers, filmmakers, to any time of creative people. They’re aptly starting at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.

The last original podcast is currently called The Chris Lighty Story. Coming in April, it’ll chronicle how Chris Lighty, music industry executive, was able to shape the careers of some of the biggest names in hip hop (50 Cent, LL Cool J, Missy Elliot, Puff Daddy, and Foxy Brown).  There will be direct commentary from the likes of Russell Simmons, Fat Joe, and many more.  Spotify promises there will be more originals heading our way later this year.