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

Spotify buys audiobook platform Findaway

elnaz asadi/Unsplash

Spotify's newest acquisition suggests it wants to develop its library of audiobook titles. The company bought the audiobook platform Findaway, an Ohio, US-based company with a catalog of over 325,000 titles. It has partnerships with companies like Apple, Amazon, and other retail giants. The service also makes tools for audiobook creators. 

The streaming service hasn't released the acquisition details, and it wouldn't go into the specifics about what it plans. But the company has said in a statement that this deal can help it "quickly scale its audiobook catalog" and create new opportunities for authors and publishers.

Source: Engadget