Spotify "developing new version of its free service"

Spotify is planning to make its free tier easier to use (especially through its smartphone apps), “according to people familiar with the matter” as reported by Bloomberg.

The new version will supposedly give smartphone users of its free service quicker access to playlists and greater control over song selection - as is currently the case with the service’s paid-for Premium subscription. This would mean paying subscribers would still have better quality streaming, Spotify Connect, no ads and offline listening over the free tier.

Spotify is set to make a ‘news’ announcement on 24th April, so we could learn more details then. There are also rumours that Spotify’s first hardware product (an in-car device or smart speaker perhaps?) could also be revealed on that date.

Becky is a hi-fi, AV and technology journalist, formerly the Managing Editor at What Hi-Fi? and Editor of Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica magazines. With over twelve years of journalism experience in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices.

In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.