Latest news with #SpotifyConnect
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Spotify's Lossless plan is about to launch, this time for real
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. Call it what you want: Spotify Lossless, HiFi, or Music Pro. The point is that Spotify is gearing up to launch a more premium tier so users can enjoy higher-quality songs. While a report from Bloomberg mentioned the company's plans to release a Lossless subscription earlier this year, it looks like it's finally happening. According to a post on X (via The Verge), Spotify's latest iOS update includes several new strings referencing lossless support. With up to 24-bit/44.1KHz (FLAC + Widevine) capability, these new lossless features will work on Spotify Connect and the Web Player, allowing users to stream or download songs in higher quality. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 Spotify is also working on a new Enhance Headphones feature, which, according to images shared by Spicetify, will 'instantly get clearer, more natural sound from compatible headphones.' The app also references Spatial Audio, although it might not be related to Dolby Atmos. While it's unclear exactly when lossless functionality is launching, it's safe to assume it's coming soon. Since 2021, Spotify has been promising a High-Fidelity tier to compete with Apple Music and other streaming services. While the company might charge an extra $5.99 on top of the Premium subscription, a previous report suggested you won't pay more for just the lossless option. The new 'Music Pro' tier is expected to include additional perks. For instance, Spotify wants to offer fans access to resales or better seats. Bloomberg says Spotify 'held preliminary talks with major promoters and ticket sellers but has yet to finalize its plans.' The publication notes that streaming services and record labels 'see an opportunity to target the most dedicated fans of musicians, consumers who spend on merchandise, concert tickets, and fan clubs,' which could make Spotify's business more profitable. BGR will continue reporting on Spotify's plans for its Music Pro tier and will let you know when this subscription becomes available. Don't Miss: Today's deals: Nintendo Switch games, $5 smart plugs, $150 Vizio soundbar, $100 Beats Pill speaker, more More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
India Today
15 hours ago
- India Today
When will Spotify get lossless audio? Code references once again say it is coming
Spotify's long-rumoured lossless audio tier has been on hold for a long time, but now new signs suggest it might finally launch soon. Despite promising a high-fidelity streaming option back in 2021, dubbed Spotify HiFi at the time, the company is yet to announce the feature. But some tipsters have been digging into Spotify's latest desktop app update and concluded that the long wait could soon be per a report by TechCrunch, Chris Messina, a technologist and reverse engineer, was among the first to highlight new code references to 'lossless' in the most recent version of Spotify's desktop client. These tantalising fragments appear to involve help cards that would guide listeners on using the feature, a strong signal that the service hasn't been forgotten. TechCrunch also picked up on the findings, reporting that these snippets include phrases like 'Lossless music, now in premium,' as well as descriptions pointing to 'the best sound quality on Spotify for music up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.'If that weren't enough, other help cards imply lossless playback might come with caveats. One mentions that certain tracks won't support lossless playback, while another suggests that a stable internet connection is a must for buffer-free streaming. Yet another tip advises that lossless audio is 'best enjoyed on devices compatible with Spotify Connect and/or wired devices,' which would make sense given the bandwidth requirements for high-resolution And it's not just Messina making these discoveries. The X account for Spicetify, a popular command-line tool that lets you modify the Spotify client, shared screenshots of what looks like a hidden lossless setting buried in the app's streaming-quality options. Spicetify also noted seeing lossless references across Spotify Connect and in the web player, further fanning the flames of anticipation. Although these tiny breadcrumbs will excite audiophiles and die-hard Spotify users alike, there's still no official word on a launch date. The company first unveiled its plans for a lossless tier back in 2021, promising CD-quality sound for premium listeners. However, those ambitions appeared to stall, with licensing roadblocks often cited as a key factor. Spotify even told investors at one point that licensing hurdles were delaying the rollout. That picture could be looking rosier this year, especially after the streamer inked new deals with major labels like Warner Music and Universal Music Group in early 2025, a move that might have smoothed over earlier rights issues. If those agreements have cleared the way, then lossless audio may finally make its debut as part of a premium subscription the timing would fit neatly with other developments, too. Bloomberg previously reported that Spotify was preparing a top-tier 'Music Pro' subscription for later this year, bundling high-quality audio with extra perks like remix tools and other advanced features. Given these app hints and the new licensing deals, a formal announcement could well be on the now, though, there's still an air of 'wait and see' around Spotify's lossless ambitions. But as the company quietly lays the groundwork with these sneaky code references and revamped agreements, it looks increasingly like one of streaming music's most elusive upgrades is on its way, at long In
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Business Standard
16 hours ago
- Business Standard
Spotify prepares for Hi-Fi launch as 'Lossless' appears in app: Report
Spotify appears to be nearing the rollout of its long-delayed lossless audio streaming feature. Mentions of a new 'Lossless' quality tier have surfaced in the platform's desktop app, pointing to a possible launch after years of delays since it was first announced in 2021. According to a report by 9To5Mac, the latest Spotify update includes hidden user interface (UI) elements that reference lossless audio in both the audio quality settings and the Spotify Connect sidebar. The new tier is listed alongside existing streaming options and is described as supporting playback up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz in FLAC format, with data usage of approximately 1GB per hour. Spotify originally announced its ' Spotify HiFi' offering in 2021, but the rollout was postponed indefinitely. In February, Bloomberg reported that Spotify is planning to introduce a 'Music Pro' tier with higher-quality streaming and other premium features. The new tier could reportedly cost up to $5.99 more than current subscriptions, as reported by Bloomberg. If introduced, Spotify's lossless option would finally place it on par with competitors like Apple Music and Tidal, both of which already support high-fidelity audio formats. The update could enhance Spotify's appeal to audiophiles and users with high-end audio gear. Device compatibility and headphone enhancement feature In addition to the lossless tier, Spotify appears to be testing a new feature called 'Enhance your headphones.' Based on UI strings, the feature may optimise playback performance for specific headphone models using proprietary technology. Users can check compatibility via a new onboarding interface. This tool, internally codenamed 'puffin,' is expected to be exclusive to Premium subscribers. Spotify has not officially confirmed any launch date or further details about the new features. However, the presence of these references in the app's backend code suggests a public rollout could be on the horizon. In other related news, Instagram has collaborated with Spotify to introduce an update that enables users to share the music they're currently playing on Spotify directly through Notes. While the Notes feature already supports music sharing, the latest enhancement allows users to post songs they're listening to in real time, offering a more immediate way to share what's on their playlist.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Most expensive Spotify bills ever ‘incoming' as membership change ‘makes your songs sound even better for extra fee'
It's been more than four years since the company first announced it was working on 'lossless audio' HEAR WE GO Most expensive Spotify bills ever 'incoming' as membership change 'makes your songs sound even better for extra fee' SPOTIFY bills are set to become more expensive than ever amid reports the global streaming service is moving forward with its long-awaited "lossless" audio feature. The new development was spotted by a reverse engineer who found multiple mentions of "lossless" in Wednesday's build of the Spotify desktop app. Advertisement 1 This is the first sign the 'lossless audio' service is still under development at Spotify These code snippets mainly refer to help cards that would appear to inform users about what the lossless tier offers and how to use or troubleshoot it. It's been more than four years since the company first announced its plans to launch a "lossless audio" tier that has yet to arrive. While there have been numerous leaks and teases from company execs, this is the first sign the service is still under development. Sites such as Tech Crunch are reporting that the code indicates the feature could even be getting closer to launch. Advertisement According Chris Messina, the engineer who uncovered the roll out, one card says, 'Lossless music, now in premium,' while another describes it as the 'best sound quality on Spotify for music in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz'. Some of the cards warn users that particular songs aren't available in lossless or when their device has bad connectivity, which could affect playback. Another notes that lossless music is 'best enjoyed on devices compatible with Spotify Connect and/or wired devices.' In addition, Reddit user u/bendotlc noted that other changes were seen in the latest version of the mobile app, where the code now mentions lossless. Advertisement How to save money on Spotify They wrote: 'Say hello to the best sound quality on Spotify. Listen to high-fidelity music in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.' The user claimed the feature is actually present in the app, but is currently disabled. Of course, code references don't mean the lossless feature is coming anytime soon. Leaks and code references have appeared before, and yet the high-quality audio tier never arrived. Advertisement When asked directly about lossless and other plans for premium tiers on recent earnings calls with investors, Spotify execs, including CEO Daniel Ek, would only hint that the company was investing in premium products for 'super fans'. They wouldn't give a time frame on when these or any other higher-quality streaming options would finally launch. Most recently, Spotify Chief Business Officer Alex Norstrom told investors on the Q1 2025 call that Spotify was still investing in more premium tiers. 'Now, with regards to higher tiers, we see great potential in them as we've mentioned before,' he said. 'So creating higher tiers around new offerings is something we are working towards as it really opens up new opportunities to delight users." Advertisement When Spotify first announced its plans for Spotify HiFi, as it was then called, in 2021, it said that the service would offer users music in 'CD-quality, lossless audio format.' It had run tests of a lossless option in the years before this, however. Eventually, Spotify pointed to licensing issues as the reason for its delay in launching. In what could be promising news on that front, the streamer signed new deals with labels including Warner Music and Universal Music Group in early 2025, which could pave the way for the lossless tier — or so music fans hope. Advertisement Bloomberg also reported earlier this year that a premium Music Pro tier would launch later in 2025, which would include high-quality streaming, remixing, and other features. Spotify declined to comment on the Bloomberg report.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Most expensive Spotify bills ever ‘incoming' as membership change ‘makes your songs sound even better for extra fee'
SPOTIFY bills are set to become more expensive than ever amid reports the global streaming service is moving forward with its long-awaited "lossless" audio feature. The new development was spotted by a reverse engineer who found multiple mentions of "lossless" in Wednesday's build of the Spotify desktop app. These code snippets mainly refer to help cards that would appear to inform users about what the lossless tier offers and how to use or troubleshoot it. It's been more than four years since the company first announced its plans to launch a "lossless audio" tier that has yet to arrive. While there have been numerous leaks and teases from company execs, this is the first sign the service is still under development. Sites such as Tech Crunch are reporting that the code indicates the feature could even be getting closer to launch. According Chris Messina, the engineer who uncovered the roll out, one card says, 'Lossless music, now in premium,' while another describes it as the 'best sound quality on Spotify for music in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz'. Some of the cards warn users that particular songs aren't available in lossless or when their device has bad connectivity, which could affect playback. Another notes that lossless music is 'best enjoyed on devices compatible with Spotify Connect and/or wired devices.' In addition, Reddit user u/bendotlc noted that other changes were seen in the latest version of the mobile app, where the code now mentions lossless. How to save money on Spotify They wrote: 'Say hello to the best sound quality on Spotify. Listen to high-fidelity music in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.' The user claimed the feature is actually present in the app, but is currently disabled. Of course, code references don't mean the lossless feature is coming anytime soon. Leaks and code references have appeared before, and yet the high-quality audio tier never arrived. When asked directly about lossless and other plans for premium tiers on recent earnings calls with investors, Spotify execs, including CEO Daniel Ek, would only hint that the company was investing in premium products for 'super fans'. They wouldn't give a time frame on when these or any other higher-quality streaming options would finally launch. Most recently, Spotify Chief Business Officer Alex Norstrom told investors on the Q1 2025 call that Spotify was still investing in more premium tiers. 'Now, with regards to higher tiers, we see great potential in them as we've mentioned before,' he said. 'So creating higher tiers around new offerings is something we are working towards as it really opens up new opportunities to delight users." When Spotify first announced its plans for Spotify HiFi, as it was then called, in 2021, it said that the service would offer users music in 'CD-quality, lossless audio format.' It had run tests of a lossless option in the years before this, however. Eventually, Spotify pointed to licensing issues as the reason for its delay in launching. In what could be promising news on that front, the streamer signed new deals with labels including Warner Music and Universal Music Group in early 2025, which could pave the way for the lossless tier — or so music fans hope. Bloomberg also reported earlier this year that a premium Music Pro tier would launch later in 2025, which would include high-quality streaming, remixing, and other features. Spotify declined to comment on the Bloomberg report. How fraudsters use AI and bots to squeeze royalties out of Spotify, Deezer and the rest Fraudsters are flooding Spotify, Apple Music and the rest with AI-generated tracks, to try and hoover up the royalties generated by people listening to them. These tracks are cheap, quick and easy to make, with Deezer estimating in April that over 20,000 fully AI-created tracks – that's 18% of new tracks – were being ingested into its platform daily, almost double the number in January. The fraudsters often then use bots, AI or humans to endlessly listen to these fake songs and generate revenue, while others are exploiting upload services to get fake songs put on real artists' pages and siphon off royalties that way. Aurelien Herault, Chief Innovation Officer, Deezer, said: 'AI generated content continues to flood streaming platforms like Deezer, and we see no sign of it slowing down. "Generative AI has the potential to positively impact music creation and consumption, but we need to approach the development with responsibility and care in order to safeguard the rights and revenues of artists and songwriters, while maintaining transparency for the fans. "Thanks to our cutting-edge tool we are already removing fully AI generated content from the algorithmic recommendations.'
