Looking for podcasts? Google lets you find and play them in its web search
Not content to simply have its own dedicated podcasts app, Google is now letting people find podcasts from within its web search, and play the most recent episodes inside a dedicated web-player. The move comes after the BBC recently decided to pull all of its podcasts from Google's platforms.
Spotify tests voice-enabled ads for those who prefer talking to tapping
What do you do when you hear an ad on the radio, or perhaps Spotify? Odds are, not much at all. But that may soon change: Spotify is now testing audio ads that you can respond to with your voice. The first ads only take you to other Spotify content, but it's clear: We'll soon be able to holler back at our ads.
Spotify is first music service to hit 100 million paying subscribers
Though it's still in second place in the U.S., globally Spotify is on a tear. The company revealed in its Q1 2019 report that it had hit 100 million paying subscribers worldwide, making it the first streaming music company to achieve the milestone. It has also stayed profitable, though challenges remain.
Amazon will reportedly launch a hi-fi version of Amazon Music Unlimited
A new report suggests that Amazon is in the final months of preparation for the launch of a new hi-res tier for its music subscription service. If true, it might launch later this year, for around $15 per month, making it the first of the big streaming giants to take this step.
Amazon’s free Spotify competitor is here. Just ask Alexa
Just ask Alexa to play your favorite song. Amazon has launched a free, ad-based music streaming service to compete with Spotify's free tier on its popular Echo devices, aiming to keep listeners into the Amazon ecosystem, and to bolster subscriptions to its paid Amazon Music Unlimited service.
Spotify now personalizing its curated playlists to help improve music discovery
In an attempt to improve the selection of songs that listeners hear when tuning into Spotify's mood-based playlists, the streaming music company has started to use personalization to alter which tracks are part of the mix. The move could have a material effect on artists, who depend on their tracks being heard.
If you’re a Spotify Premium subscriber, you now get Hulu for free
Spotify Premium subscribers have yet another reason to love the Swedish streaming service, with the company now offering ad-free Hulu accounts to all premium users at no additional cost, poising it to compete with the upcoming Apple video streaming service, which will likely offer Apple Music bundles.
Spotify adds mystery and crime to its podcast arsenal with Parcast acquisition
Spotify continues to add to its growing collection of podcasting assets, this time with the acquisition of Parcast, an L.A.-based podcast studio known for its lurid, true-crime and mystery titles, that have garnered a significant audience since the company began in 2017.
Spotify buys two podcast companies, and plans to spend even more
Spotify purchased Gimlet Media, the startup behind Reply All and the Homecoming podcast that Amazon turned into a show, for over $200 million. It has also picked up Anchor, making the streaming music company the second largest podcast platform behind Apple.
Google Clock now also supports Pandora, YouTube Music as alarm options
Google Clock, through its version 6.1 update, finally added Pandora and YouTube Music as alarm options, following Spotify which has been supported since July. Users will now be able to choose tracks from these services to wake them up in the morning, instead of jarring sounds or annoying jingles.
Garmin’s Vivoactive 3 Music adds Spotify support for tunes while you tone
After releasing Spotify for the Fenix 5 Plus series and Forerunner 645 Music last year, Garmin made good on its promise to bring the music streaming service to its Vivoactive 3 Music fitness watch. Owners can download the app to their watch and connect to wireless earbuds for listening everywhere.
Apple Music encourages subscribers to give friends a free 1-month pass
It's no secret that Apple has its sights set squarely on Spotify's enviable subscriber count, but how will Apple Music grow its base? Apparently by using existing customers as a recruitment service. Subscribers are encouraged to send friends a one-month free pass to the streaming service.
Spotify could terminate accounts of listeners using ad blockers
Bad news for those who use an ad blocker to get rid of annoying ads on Spotify -- the company has updated its Terms of Service to explicitly ban ad blockers. There are potentially serious consequences in place for users found circumventing the rules, including suspending or terminating your account.
Spotify subscribers may have been hacked to stream fake ‘mysterycore’ artists
In late 2018, a number of Spotify subscribers noticed that their accounts had played bands they'd never heard of, making their top streamed artists of the year into an odd list of mystery bands. Here's what may have happened, and how to prevent it from affecting your precious streaming account.
Spotify adds artist-blocking feature, despite its denials
Though it continues to claim you can't do it, there's lots of evidence that Spotify has added an artist-blocking feature to its platform, making it easy for users to never hear a specific musician or band on any of the company's playlists, collections, or radio stations. But what does this mean for artists?
At long last, Adele’s mega-hit album ’25’ will be available on streaming services
Adele is finally allowing streaming services to have her most recent hit album, 25. Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal will all stream the album.
From Paul McCartney to Mariah Carey, this is the best holiday music
Whether you're a fan of classic jazz standards or modern R&B masterpieces, there's something for everyone on our playlist of the best holiday music. So pour some eggnog and curl up by the fire, this one is sure to get you in the holiday spirit, with countless classics and some modern hits to boot.
Spotify Wrapped reveals rad facts about your musical tastes and habits
The website may be a bit tough to find at first, but Spotify's new Spotify Wrapped tells you awesome facts about your year in listening. From how many minutes you spent jamming out to your top artists, and beyond, there's a lot to dig into on the company's annual year-in-review website.
You may soon be able to listen to your own songs on Spotify’s Android app
If you love Spotify's streaming, but also have a large collection of niche music, then it can be hard to marry your two passions. Switching back and forth between apps may soon become history for Android users though, as Spotify is apparently testing the ability to import local songs to its Android app.
As Amazon turns up the volume on streaming, Spotify should shudder
Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and others are all looking to capitalize on the popularity of streaming music. But, as Spotify's quarterly revenue has shown, it's nearly impossible to make a profit under the current structure. Could major tech companies like Amazon be primed for a streaming take-over?
With Spotify for Wear OS, you’ll soon have even more control over your music
After what has seemed like a long time coming, Spotify will officially be available on Wear OS smartwatches. Whether it's on a run or a while lounging at home, you will now be able to access your music right from your wrist. The app will be rolling out over the coming week.
Spotify makes its Family plan more enticing with a free Google Home Mini
If you’ve been thinking about signing up for a Spotify Premium Family plan, there has never been a better time. The company is making the plan even more enticing by offering subscribers a free Google Home Mini for a limited time, adding a whole new level of control to your listening experience.
No subscription, no problem. Free Spotify users can soon use Spotify Connect
Spotify Connect, which allows users to stream their favorite tunes to any Connect-enabled speaker, has long been one of the best premium-only features on the Swedish streaming service. Soon, free users will get it too, providing yet another reason to embrace Spotify before other services.
Garmin listens to feedback, adds Spotify to Fenix 5 Plus Series watch
Garmin announced integration with Spotify, allowing customers to listen to offline playlists from their wrist. Starting now, athletes and adventurers who own one of the Fenix 5 Plus devices can download the Spotify app from Connect IQ and start syncing their music.
With growing competition, Spotify’s family plan crackdown could backfire
Spotify is cracking down on users who share their family plans with friends to help everyone save a little money. The service has begun using a controversial tactic to put a stop to this, which could end up being worse for the company than it might be for users over-sharing their plans.
No cell signal? No problem: Spotify now lets you download up to 10,000 songs
If you’re a Spotify user who frequently uses the service in areas with spotty signal, you probably download songs for offline playback, but until now you were limited to 3,333 songs. Now that limit has been raised to 10,000 songs, and you can download on up to five devices now, up from three.
Spotify and Hulu add Showtime to $5-per-month college student plan
Spotify and Hulu have extended their popular $5-per-month student bundle to include acclaimed premium cable channel Showtime, offering those attending an accredited college or university one of the best deals on the internet, and providing them with a new and exciting way to spend their time between classes.
Despite privacy concerns, music lovers are still grooving to smart speakers
Consumer research firm MusicWatch has been digging into the habits of 5,000 smart speaker owners to see how they're using devices like the Amazon Echo and Google Home and the research indicates that users still have concerns about privacy while streaming music.
Spotify may eventually allow free users to skip all ads
Spotify is rolling out a new feature that may allow free users to skip ads whenever they want. Currently, the test is being conducted in Australia but, if successful, it may be spread to other countries. Spotify believes users will only skip ads that are not of interest to them.
Google Clock is getting music streaming support — here’s how to enable it
Google Clock is finally getting integration with music streaming services, meaning you can now wake up to your favorite tunes instead of those jarring alarm noises. Here's how to enable music streaming support in the Google Clock app. Note that for now, the feature only supports Spotify.
Spotify hits 83 million paid users as the race with Apple Music rocks on
As Apple Music continues to gain ground in the music streaming industry, Spotify is charging ahead in hopes of staving off the iEmpire's relentless onslaught. On July 26, it seemed as though the Swedish service just may have succeeded. The company says it has reached 83 million paid subscribers.
A slimmer Spotify? Music streamer tests a ‘lite’ version for Android
Having a slower network or less data on your plan will no longer stop you from accessing the most popular apps and services on the market. The latest company to introduce a slimmed down version of its mobile app is Spotify, who has recently debuted the predictably named Spotify Lite. It's much smaller than the main app
Who needs a studio or label? LANY hit it big singing into a blanket
Indie-pop trio LANY went from unknown musicians Billboard charters shortly after anonymously uploading their music to Soundcloud in 2014. Now, the band has their sights set on becoming arena-rock legends and doing it without depending on streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music.
Founder of Red Bull Radio talks streaming service morality and the future of radio
Many Ameri, founder of 24/7 online radio station, Red Bull Radio, speaks on Red Bull's stance on Apple Music and Spotify's removal of artists from playlists, why long-form content still matters in an age of short attention spans, and how the future of radio is podcasts.
Spotify admits fault, will work with civil rights groups on Hate Content policy
Weeks ago, Spotify removed several artists from promoted playlists under the new Hate Content policy. Now, following backlash from Kendrick Lamar and others, CEO Daniel Ek admitted fault and said the company is currently working on a new policy with civil rights activists.
Streaming music is clearly the future. Here’s why that sucks
Spotify and streaming services like Apple Music are taking over. But are we losing something valuable as we shift to on-demand music? Here’s why streaming isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
From Aaliyah to Garth Brooks, here is the music you can’t find on Spotify
Spotify boasts a library of more than 30 million songs, meaning finding something to listen to is never tough. There are some artists, however, who continue to shun the popular streaming service for one reason or another. From Queen Bey to Dr. Dre, here are the biggest Spotify holdouts.
Who’s next? As it snubs R. Kelly, Spotify opens a moral can of worms
Spotify recently introduced a new Hate Content & Hateful Conduct Policy, removing R. Kelly and XXXTentacion from its curated and algorithmic playlists. Apple Music and Pandora are also pulling material promoting Kelly. Is it justified? And how does this decision impact the streaming industry at large?