Spotify plans to add a subscription plan, aside from Spotify Premium, just for podcasts, as the company goes all-in on podcasts anew.

If you didn’t notice before, Spotify is going all-in on podcasts. The company might even offer subscriptions to podcasts alone. You can get a monthly plan to listen to original shows or exclusive episodes. Moreover, this new service is not Spotify Premium. This new plan requires a separate fee. 

Spotify Podcasts

Gizmodo reports that Spotify may want to put podcasts behind a paywall after spending over $600 million on them. Right now, you can listen to these podcasts for free, even without a Premium account. Without a Premium plan, you’ll just get ads.

Looks like Spotify is toying with the idea of launching a subscription package just for its podcast content. https://t.co/TbaujT5uqr pic.twitter.com/7xRtcLS7ct

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) November 9, 2020

This week, Andrew Wallenstein of Variety tweeted that Spotify shared a survey to selected users. This survey asked the users if they were willing to shell out $3 to $8 a month for podcasts.  

New Subscription Formats

According to the survey, the cheapest plan would still give you ads, but you’ll also get exclusive interviews and episodes. Meanwhile, the priciest plan will remove the ads. You’ll also get early access to some exclusive and “high quality original content.”

On the other hand, these costs don’t cover Spotify’s music streaming service. Spotify Premium would add $10 to your podcast subscription. 

Should I Prepare My Wallet?

However, these surveys do not mean that Spotify will implement these changes at all. These surveys only mean to gauge users’ opinions on proposed changes. These changes would make sense for Spotify, though. The company had aggressively pushed into the podcast market in recent years.

Spotify had already spent hundreds of millions of dollars to snag major podcasts. These shows include The Ringer, the Joe Rogan Experience, and the Gimlet and Anchor networks.

The post Spotify Considers Added Subscription Just for Podcasts first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Spotify is testing out a tool that lets artists and labels push a song in the hopes of making it go viral, in exchange for lower royalties.

If your song suddenly goes viral, you’d want to promote it even more. Your label should also spread your viral song on streaming platforms. Thankfully, Spotify wants to give you that power. The company said it allows artists and labels to use its algorithm to promote their hit songs. 

Spotify Algorithm

The Verge reports that artists or labels could tell Spotify the song they want to advertise. After that, Spotify’s algorithm would insert that song in your radio playlists or when your session enters autoplay. This ability also applies to any song. So, if your label wants to push a track, they could do so. 

Spotify will test letting artists promote songs that are going viral https://t.co/cxrcoqgiev pic.twitter.com/0XWiLkBJJW

— The Verge (@verge) November 2, 2020

What Do Artists Get?

With this ability, artists get an extra marketing boost. In exchange, Spotify would give them a lower “promotional recording royalty” each time the app plays their promoted songs. Spotify says the tool should provide artists a positive return on investment. Moreover, the tool should allow a vast selection of artists and labels to find success.

Charleton Lamb said that Spotify wants artists to “be more in control of their success…and more in charge of their careers.” Lamb is Spotify’s product marketing lead. 

What’s Next

The Verge guesses that artists could make up for lower royalties if the song goes viral. On the other hand, a label could use the tool to promote a song it believes has viral potential. The labels could push a song to prime listeners before it spreads worldwide. 

These viral tracks could turn TikTok listeners into real fans and paying Spotify subscribers.

The post Spotify Letting Artists Promote Their Songs for Lower Royalties first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

The streaming giant has announced a new widget for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, joining other apps who’ve taken advantage of the new feature.

Weeks have passed since iOS 14 came out, and numerous apps have taken advantage of its new widget features. Now, Spotify is joining them. The streaming titan has announced the launch of widgets for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14.  

Spotify’s iOS 14 Widget

The Verge says that Spotify’s iOS 14 widget is similar to Apple Music’s widget. Both widgets offer ways for users to go back to their music without opening the apps. For now, you can pick between the small and medium widget sizes. Spotify hasn’t rolled out the large-sized one yet.

In an email, a Spotify spokesperson said that the widget displays five of your recently played artists, playlists, albums, or podcasts. Just tap on their covers to dive right back into your music. If you get the small widget, you’ll see your latest played song or podcast while using the app.

How to Add the Spotify Widget to the Home Screen

Here’s how to add the Spotify widget to your Home Screen:

1.   Update the app to its latest version.
2.   Touch and app an empty section of the screen or an app.
3.   Look for the Add button (+) in the upper-left corner.
4.   Tap the button.
5.   Look for the Spotify widget in the list.
6.   Pick your widget size.
7.   Tap “Add Widget.”
8.   Place the widget on your screen.
9.   Tap “Done” to finish.

Other iOS 14 Widgets

You can also add more widgets from other apps, such as Dropbox and Otter. Just look at your widgets list and find one you like.

The post Spotify Announces New iOS 14 Widget first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Now you don’t have to Shazam all the songs you hear in bars. With new updates, Spotify is letting users search for songs using their lyrics. This way, you don’t need to open another app or go all the way to Google for the music. 

Spotify’s New Features

In a tweet, Spotify designer Lina Wang announced the new feature. After testing, Gizmodo reports that the search feature works. Both Android and iOS users can search for songs in multiple languages, such as English, Spanish, and Hindi. Moreover, you just need to input a few words to get results. However, more popular songs return results quicker.

My team just shipped something on iOS and Android –

now you can find songs by lyrics on Spotify

Give it a try pic.twitter.com/bOs4Ob9O84

— Lina (@linafab) October 5, 2020

Spotify had moved toward improving the app. In July, Spotify teamed up with Musixmatch for real-time lyrics when you want to do karaoke. For a long time, Spotify has also worked with Genius.

The New Spotify App

Aside from lyrics, Spotify is also launching a new app called Soundtrap Capture. With the new app, musicians can collaborate in real-time on new tracks. Gizmodo says that Soundtrap works similar to the Voice Memo app in iOS. 

You can record your audio with the app and see its waveform. However, your partners can now listen to your recording. After listening to your audio, they can add their recording. You will need a separate app to edit the tracks, but Soundtrap could help you make music at home. 

Streaming Lyrics Search

Apple Music already allows users to search for lyrics. However, not a lot of people subscribe to multiple streaming apps. Spotify’s new features should make your listening easier.

The post You Can Now Search for Songs in Spotify Using Lyrics first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Spotify is launching more content through podcasts. The company has signed a deal with Chernin Entertainment to adapt its podcasts to movies and TV shows. 

More Spotify Content

Engadget reports that Spotify’s multi-year deal gives Chernin first dibs on adapting podcasts for movies and TV. In a statement, CCO Dawn Ostroff said that Spotify is thrilled to create content for more audiences worldwide. 

Get ready for more Spotify podcasts to become TV shows and movies https://t.co/1f2scPJqQq pic.twitter.com/At7nxNXLMW

— Engadget (@engadget) September 24, 2020

What Does this Spotify Deal Mean?

In a report from Deadline, both companies would hire an exec to work at Spotify. This exec would look for worthy podcasts and invest in touching up scripts. 

Chernin has already started adapting The Clearing. This podcast explores a woman’s discovery of her father’s past as a murderer. 

The Evolution of Podcasts

Engadget notes that podcasts have become massively popular in the last five years. Several producers are now searching for podcasts to adapt to movies and TV shows.

In 2017, Gale Anne Hurd helped develop the podcast Lore into an Amazon Prime TV series. Netflix has also turned the podcast Song Exploder into a TV series. The show traces the history of a song with footage, recordings, and interviews.

The post Spotify Inks Deal to Adapt Podcasts to Movies and TV Shows first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

To drive up subscribers, Amazon Music now offers podcasts. With today’s update, Amazon has brought 70,000 podcasts to Amazon Music. Among these podcasts are popular shows like Pod Save America. The app will also have exclusives, like DJ Khaled’s The First One. 

Amazon Music Podcasts

The Verge reports that subscribers can listen to these shows through the mobile app, Echo devices, and web browsers. If you’re an Echo listener, its default app is Amazon Music. Your Echo can play an episode from where you stopped, even if you used another device.

Amazon Music now has podcasts https://t.co/Sj5WmgBcL9 pic.twitter.com/N1X6LwGEj5

— The Verge (@verge) September 17, 2020

Also, the Wall Street Journal says that Amazon plans to sell ads for its podcasts. 

Amazon’s Podcast Competition

Amazon’s move puts it closer to Spotify, which has also committed to podcasts. Out of the big streaming apps, only Apple Music has zero podcasts, since Apple Podcasts already exists. 

Other apps mix podcasts with music for more audio experiences. They also want their apps to become a one-stop-shop for audio content. 

Should I Subscribe to Amazon Music?

On the other hand, Audible has launched a new and cheap plan. An Amazon company, Audible also has exclusive shows. If you want to listen to an Audible-exclusive show, you’ll have to get another subscription. 

Amazon Music offers podcasts that are available across all streaming apps. 

The post You Can Now Listen to Podcasts on Amazon Music first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

While Apple is locked in a legal battle with Epic Games, the tech giant might soon butt heads with streaming giant Spotify. The streaming service has released a statement today, hitting Apple’s new subscription bundle, called Apple One. 

Spotify vs. Apple?

The Verge reports that Spotify took offense to Apple’s new subscription bundle, which includes Apple Music. In the Verge report, Spotify said that Apple is muscling competitors out of the marketplace again. The company said that Apple is forcing users to stay within the Apple ecosystem.

Apple insists its new Apple One services bundle isn’t unfair to Spotify https://t.co/SRmSrXdrab pic.twitter.com/xgsKvAy70n

— The Verge (@verge) September 15, 2020

Moreover, Spotify called on the authorities to stop Apple from stomping out its competition.

Spotify’s Bundles

The Verge guesses that Apple users might stick with Apple One if they find that the bundle saves them money. As the world’s most valuable company, Apple has enough marketing muscle to push Apple One globally.

Spotify itself has come in bundles before. Hulu subscriptions offer Spotify for free. If you get an AT&T phone plan, you also get Spotify. And Spotify also comes bundled with some Samsung phones.  

Apple’s Response

In response, Apple stressed that they are not forcing users to pick up the Apple One bundle. The company said that users are still free to choose alternative services. If users are already using Apple services anyway, Apple One can unite them under a cheaper plan. Moreover, Android users can enjoy some Apple One services on their phones, and they can cancel whenever they want.

In terms of subscribers, Spotify remains king with 138 million, as of July. Meanwhile, Apple Music had just surpassed 60 million subscribers in June.

The post Spotify Rails Against Apple’s New Service Bundle first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

As Spotify expands into the podcast market, the app will now combine sports podcasts with new songs to form one playlist. Sports fans can enjoy listening to game analysis and songs without changing categories.  

Spotify’s New Daily Sports Playlist

With the NBA and MLB restarting after their COVID-19 shutdown, Spotify is debuting the Daily Sports playlist for fans. In April and June, the app had launched other playlists like the Daily Wellness and Your Daily Drive. 

Engadget says that the Daily Sports playlist will include sports podcast episodes and songs from your favorite or new artists. Now you can listen to the hottest songs while also following game analysis from your favorite pundits.

Spotify's latest playlist is for sports fans who like music with their highlights https://t.co/rSWrkWEbq7 pic.twitter.com/IrheEQTelp

— Engadget (@engadget) August 17, 2020

What Can I Listen to on Daily Sports?

The Daily Sports playlist will include episodes from podcasts like Sports News Minute with Larry Brown or ESPN Daily. Aside from those shows, the playlist will also feature episodes of The Ringer podcast. Spotify had bought The Ringer early in the year. With such a wide variety of podcast choices, you won’t suffer a sports drought again. 

Spotify’s Personalized Playlists

For many users, Spotify’s personalized playlists are the app’s main draw. These playlists include Discover Weekly and Release Radar. Aside from that, Spotify also gives users a series of Daily Mix playlists, which contain songs from artists they listen to the most.

With podcasts, Spotify plans to apply the same philosophy. With Daily Sports, they’re looking to integrate podcasts more into users’ daily listening.

Spotify subscribers in the US can try out Daily Sports today. For both mobile and web apps, you can find the playlist in the Made For You section. 

The post Spotify Adds New Daily Sports Playlist first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

Spotify has signed an esports deal with Riot Games. Under this deal, Spotify will become the official audio partner of the MOBA hit League of Legends. Riot Games made the massively popular game. The streaming company will also create more audio content for Riot.

Spotify and Esports

In a blog post, Spotify announced the deal. According to the post, League of Legends is the biggest esport in the world. In 2019, League of Legends tournaments popped up in 37 countries on five continents. The game also set an audience record that year. Around 21.8 million viewers watched the 2019 World Championship Final round.

Spotify also says that its League of Legends official soundtrack gains 4.8 million streams every month. These users represent both gamers and casual listeners. 

Spotify’s Deal with Riot Games

As Riot Game’s official audio partner, Spotify plans to create an “official LoL hub” for League. In this hub, users will find new League music, podcasts, and playlists. The Verge says that these playlists include the “Official League of Legends” and “This is League of Legends” sets. Moreover, Spotify would also show users a look behind the scenes of the production of the Worlds Anthem for League’s World Championships.

Spotify is launching an exclusive League of Legends esports podcast https://t.co/7oGULIsCm4 pic.twitter.com/XzNGze83Je

— The Verge (@verge) August 24, 2020

Spotify Podcasts

In recent years, Spotify has expanded into the podcast market. The streaming company had bought Gimlet Media and The Ringer.  Both companies create the biggest podcasts today. Other celebrities like Michelle Obama also made exclusive Spotify podcasts. The company might also release a new feature that adds videos to podcasts.  

The post Spotify Signs Esports Deal With Riot Games first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

While listening to a podcast, you’d want to share the inspiring quotes you hear on social media. Your friends might like your quote, and they might share it, too. This way, podcasts can become a truly social experience. But most podcasts don’t let you share quotes directly from a podcast episode, except for Spotify. The app is now testing a tool for users to share podcast quotes on social media and messaging apps.

Sharing Podcast Quotes from Spotify

Gizmodo reports that Spotify is testing out the new tool on The Michelle Obama Podcast. The show is the app’s flagship original show. However, not all users can use the new feature. A Spotify spokesperson told Gizmodo that the test could lead to better user experience or “as an important learning.”

Spotify is testing a new podcasting tool to share quotes in other apps https://t.co/leKixXpq5e pic.twitter.com/CV7ARewu7H

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) July 29, 2020

Spotify All in on Podcasts

Last week, Spotify announced that it was offering video podcasts to free and premium users. With its multitasking feature, you can work while watching an episode. You can even use your phone while you stream videos. For premium users, Spotify also launched a new feature for users to watch podcasts and listen to music at the same time. Premium users can grab up to five friends to stream content together. As COVID-19 has separated most families and friends, Spotify’s new tool should be handy.

How to Share Quotes from Podcasts

If you’re a lucky user who can share quotes, you can just press play on the episode you want from the show page. Then, you’ll see a roll of Spotify-selected quote cards. On the cards are the quotes you can share, and a link to the source episode.

You can share the quotes on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and WhatsApp.

The post Spotify To Let Users Share Quotes From Podcasts first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold