Spotify is 'retiring' its Car View feature without a replacement

Spotify

Spotify is getting rid of its Car View feature, which has made it easier for drivers to use the app while they're in their vehicles. It seems to have disappeared on Android already, but it isn't clear if and when it'll disappear on other platforms. It was confirmed to be coming, though. In October, a Spotify moderator responded to a post on its community forum asking where the feature went. It also planned to retire features like the in-car Now Playing View for Android.

And while features get retired on apps all the time, what might upset many of its users is that there isn't a replacement for it right now. Some accuse Spotify of removing the feature to sell its Car Thing device, a display and remote control for the car. But even that feature is limited to Premium subscribers via a waitlist.

Source: The Verge

Spotify's experimenting with its own TikTok-like video feed

Spotify joins the many platforms trying to attract people to engage more with its services by testing out a new TikTok-style video feed in its app. There's a new Discover tab in the navigation bar where it looks like the videos are similar to the ones they use for its Canvas feature. It'll allow users to scroll and like individual tracks or access other options for the song via the three-dot menu icon.

We get trying to attract users to stay in the app, but we wonder if it'll be a useful feature. The streaming service confirms it is testing the feature, but it won't say if it'll be widely rolled out.

Source: The Verge

Spotify takes out shuffle as default after Adele's request (at least for Premium users)

Spotify takes out shuffle by default on Premium accounts (left), but it remains the same for Free accounts (right)

When you played albums on Spotify before, the streaming service had the shuffle feature on the large green play button enabled by default. But Adele didn't want that for her new album, "30," which is her first record after a six-year hiatus. She requested that they take out the option for her album, and Spotify granted the request, kind of.

On Saturday, she revealed on Twitter that her only request for the album, which debuted on Friday, was that Spotify takes out the shuffle option as the song order was necessary for her story.

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Spotify starts rollout of synchronized song lyrics to all users

Spotify / Musixmatch

Spotify will make your singalongs a better experience. It's rolling out its synchronized song lyrics to all users worldwide. The company started testing this feature out in the US and a few markets, but now free and Premium users are getting access to lyrics for the "majority" of Spotify tracks. Musixmatch powers the experience within the app.

It'll be available on iOS, Android, desktop, TV, and console apps. The feature is accessible on the "Now Playing View." You just need to swipe up from the bottom of the screen. The lyrics will track in real-time. Spotify hasn't mentioned how many songs get the feature, but saying "majority" implies it's at least more than half. We haven't spotted it on our devices yet, but we're keeping our eyes peeled for it.

Source: Spotify | Via: Engadget