Tag: Spotify

  • Spotify Surpasses Competitors in Price: What You Need to Know

    Spotify Surpasses Competitors in Price: What You Need to Know

    Key Takeaways

    1. Spotify is raising the price of its Premium service in various regions outside the U.S., with notifications expected next month.
    2. The monthly fee may increase from €10.99 to €11.99, but it is unclear if this will apply to all countries in the affected regions.
    3. The price hike could position Spotify Premium as one of the more expensive music streaming options compared to competitors like Apple Music and Tidal.
    4. Spotify’s streaming quality and song library are limited compared to rivals; it offers 100 million songs and streams at a bitrate of 256 kbit/s.
    5. The company is focusing on podcasts and audiobooks to attract users, but the current audiobook offer of 15 hours per month is often insufficient.

    Spotify has recently announced in a press release that the cost of its music streaming service will rise in various regions outside the United States. Customers in Europe, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific will receive notifications next month about the upcoming price hike for Spotify Premium. The monthly fee is expected to go up from €10.99 to €11.99, although Spotify has not yet confirmed if this increase will apply to every country in these regions.

    Increased Competition

    This change will likely make Spotify Premium one of the pricier music streaming options available, as its main competitors—Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, Tidal, and YouTube Music—currently charge €10.99 per month. Additionally, Spotify provides fewer features in many aspects. Although there have been ongoing rumors about a new Spotify HiFi subscription, the existing Spotify Premium service only streams music in a compressed format (AAC) at a bitrate of 256 kbit/s. In contrast, both Apple Music and Tidal offer lossless streaming capabilities of up to 24-bit at 192 kHz.

    Catalog Limitations

    Moreover, Spotify’s song library falls short compared to its rivals; Spotify Premium has about 100 million songs while Tidal boasts over 110 million. To draw in more users, Spotify is placing greater emphasis on podcasts and audiobooks, but it only provides 15 hours of audiobooks each month with its Premium subscription. Often, this amount is insufficient for completing a single audiobook. The price increase appears to be essential, especially since Spotify reported a net loss of €86 million despite having 696 million active users in the last quarter.

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  • Spotify Unveils AI Songs by Deceased Artists Without Approval

    Spotify Unveils AI Songs by Deceased Artists Without Approval

    Key Takeaways

    1. AI-created songs are increasingly appearing on Spotify, including on the profiles of deceased artists, raising concerns about authenticity.
    2. A recent AI-generated song titled “Together” was released on Blaze Foley’s page, but it did not resemble his style and was criticized as “AI schlock.”
    3. Music labels, like Lost Art Records, are concerned about the impact of AI content on the reputation of deceased artists.
    4. Spotify blames the issue on SoundOn, a TikTok service, and stated that the controversial content has been removed for violating their policies.
    5. There is frustration among music industry professionals about Spotify’s inability to prevent unauthorized AI-generated content from being attributed to artists.

    Since Spotify began, it has become very popular, giving listeners access to a vast selection of music. However, recently, AI-created songs have started to fill the platform, with some even showing up on the profiles of artists who have passed away, raising a lot of questions and controversies about this practice.

    Controversial AI Releases

    A notable case involves Blaze Foley, a singer-songwriter known as Deputy Dawg, who was tragically murdered in 1989 at just 39 years old, having been active since 1975. According to Spotify, a new song titled “Together” was released on his official page last week. However, upon closer look, the song features a country singer that does not resemble Foley at all, even though the music style is similar to slow country.

    Concerns from Music Labels

    Craig McDonald, the owner of Lost Art Records, which handles the distribution of Foley’s music, commented that this new track is unrelated to the late artist: “It’s kind of an AI schlock bot, if you will. It has nothing to do with the Blaze you know, that whole posting has the authenticity of an algorithm.”

    Spotify’s Response

    In reaction to this issue, Spotify reportedly blamed SoundOn, a service from TikTok that allows users to share their music directly: “We’ve flagged the issue to SoundOn, the distributor of the content in question, and it has been removed for violating our Deceptive Content policy.”

    But there’s more: a copyright notice at the bottom of the page mentions a production company called Syntax Error. This is similar to what happened with Guy Clark, an artist who passed away in 2016 due to lymphoma. An AI-generated song titled “Happened To You” was released on his Spotify page last week, also under the same copyright.

    The Challenge of AI Content

    Consequently, Spotify appears to be struggling to manage its platform effectively, especially with the growing use of AI that allows unscrupulous individuals to attribute songs to deceased artists without their consent. Craig McDonald expressed his frustration to 404media: “It’s harmful to Blaze’s standing that this happened. It’s kind of surprising that Spotify doesn’t have a security fix for this type of action, and I think the responsibility is all on Spotify. They could fix this problem. One of their talented software engineers could stop this fraudulent practice in its tracks, if they had the will to do so. And I think they should take that responsibility and do something quickly.”

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  • Band Confirms Use of AI in Music on Spotify

    Band Confirms Use of AI in Music on Spotify

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Velvet Sundown has gained over a million monthly listeners on Spotify shortly after debuting in June with two albums and several singles.
    2. The band has been confirmed to be a creation of artificial intelligence, with music and visuals generated with AI tools under human creative direction.
    3. Their project challenges traditional ideas of authorship and identity in the music industry, prompting discussions about the future of music in the age of AI.
    4. The visual representation of the band consists of AI-generated images of four members, despite claims of human involvement.
    5. Upcoming releases include their third album, “Paper Sun Rebellion,” set for July 14, and the impact of their AI origins on listener engagement remains uncertain.

    The Velvet Sundown, a group that appears to have four members, has attracted significant interest on Spotify. They began sharing music on the platform in early June and have already launched two complete albums, along with several singles, and another album that’s set to release shortly. Unsurprisingly, listeners have begun to suspect that the band is a creation of artificial intelligence, which has now been confirmed.

    Impressive Growth

    The Velvet Sundown boasts over a million monthly listeners on Spotify. This is quite a remarkable achievement for a debut, especially since their first album, titled “Floating on Echoes,” was released on June 4. They followed up with their second album, “Dust and Silence,” on June 19. The upcoming week, July 14, will see the launch of their third album, “Paper Sun Rebellion.” Since their entrance into the music scene, many have been quick to label the band as AI-generated, prompting the creators to revise the Spotify biography to describe it as a “synthetic music project guided by human creative direction, and composed, voiced, and visualized with the support of artificial intelligence.”

    Challenging Norms

    The description further asserts that this project pushes the limits of “authorship, identity, and the future of music itself in the age of AI.” The creators assert that the characters, narratives, music, voices, and lyrics are “original creations generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools,” although it’s not clear how extensively AI was involved in the creation process.

    The visual artwork of the band depicts four people, implying they are the creators of the project, but these images are likely generated by AI too. Interestingly, an individual named Andrew Frelon (a pseudonym) initially claimed to be the owner of this AI band but later admitted that was false. He stated he was only pretending to manage their Twitter account to add an “extra layer of weird into this story,” regarding this AI band.

    Future Outlook

    At this point, The Velvet Sundown’s music can be found on Spotify, with their new album set to drop next week. Whether this revelation will lead to an increase or decrease in their monthly listener count is still uncertain.

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  • Yandex Launches Yambda: Open-Source Music Recommendation Dataset

    Yandex Launches Yambda: Open-Source Music Recommendation Dataset

    Key Takeaways

    1. Yandex has launched the open-source Yambda dataset to provide insights into music listener preferences for building a streaming audio service similar to Spotify.

    2. The dataset includes detailed recordings of 4.79 billion user interactions with 9.39 million music tracks over ten months from 28 million monthly Yandex Music users.

    3. Yandex aims to use the dataset for AI-driven playlist customization, unlike other platforms that keep their algorithms private for competitive advantage.

    4. The Yambda dataset is available for download in different sizes: 5 billion, 500 million, and 50 million events, with the largest needing at least 85 GB of storage.

    5. The dataset is formatted in Apache Parquet, allowing for easier analysis and research, and can be accessed on HuggingFace.

    Yandex has announced the launch of its open-source Yambda dataset, which provides insights into music listener preferences. This dataset aims to help build a streaming audio service akin to Spotify, featuring AI-driven playlist customization.

    Playlist Creation with AI

    Platforms such as Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz utilize software algorithms or AI technologies to generate playlists tailored to individual user tastes. However, these companies typically keep their codes and models under wraps, viewing their ability to automatically curate enjoyable song selections as a valuable trade secret that contributes to their competitive edge.

    Extensive Data Collection

    Over a span of ten months, Yandex collected data consisting of 4.79 billion user interactions with 9.39 million music tracks from its 28 million monthly Yandex Music users. This dataset encompasses crucial feedback from listeners, detailing their listening choices, as well as their preferences and aversions. Each interaction is recorded with a timestamp for better accuracy.

    Dataset Availability

    The Yambda dataset is available for download in various sizes: five billion (1 million users), five hundred million (100,000 users), and fifty million (10,000 users) events, with the largest dataset needing a minimum of 85 GB storage. It is formatted in Apache Parquet, a column-oriented file format that simplifies analysis and research.

    Readers can also consider gifting a Spotify gift card to share the joy of streaming music.

    Yambda can be found at HuggingFace, as noted in the Yandex press release.

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  • Home Assistant Launches Music Assistant 2.4 with New Features

    Home Assistant Launches Music Assistant 2.4 with New Features

    Key Takeaways

    1. Music Assistant version 2.4 enhances streaming from Assist devices and supports voice commands for song selection.
    2. The update introduces native support for podcasts and audiobooks from platforms like Subsonic, YouTube, and Audible.
    3. Spotify Connect is supported, requiring a Spotify Premium account for use.
    4. A new Digital Signal Processor (DSP) feature allows users to customize their listening experience with adjustable input/output gain and a Parametric Equalizer.
    5. Plans for future updates include an Apple AirPlay plugin for additional audio source compatibility.

    Home Assistant has shared the launch of Music Assistant version 2.4. This application is a free, open-source media library manager that allows users of Home Assistant to stream music from a variety of sources using their smart home speakers.

    Improvements in Version 2.4

    The latest version introduces enhancements for streaming from Assist devices, including the newly released Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition. Users can also employ Assist voice commands to pick a song or an artist to listen to. Furthermore, it supports external audio sources, making it compatible with Spotify Connect, although it’s important to note that a Spotify Premium account is necessary for this feature. The company has mentioned plans to add an Apple AirPlay plugin in the future.

    New Features for Audio Content

    Another significant improvement is the native support for podcasts and audiobooks through platforms such as Subsonic, YouTube, and Audible. When enjoying an audiobook, users can monitor their progress with a bar that shows dots marking the start of each chapter. Since the previous update, Music Assistant has also incorporated support for Apple Music, iBroadcast, and SiriusXM.

    Customization Options for Users

    Additionally, a new configurable Digital Signal Processor (DSP) has been introduced, which allows you to tailor your listening experience by modifying the input and output gain or utilizing the Parametric Equalizer (PEQ) tool. The full change log is accessible on GitHub. Music Assistant version 2.4 is now ready for all users, and this add-on can be installed directly from your Home Assistant.

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  • OnePlus and Oppo Partner with Spotify for In-App Gaming Feature

    OnePlus and Oppo Partner with Spotify for In-App Gaming Feature

    Music and mobile gaming often go hand-in-hand, but switching between apps to control playback can disrupt the flow. In a move to streamline this experience, OnePlus and Oppo have partnered with Spotify to introduce a new in-app gaming overlay.

    New Overlay for Seamless Experience

    According to a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) by Pete Lau, chief product officer at OPPO and founder of OnePlus, select users will gain access to a unique overlay within the Spotify app. This feature allows you to play games on your mobile device while controlling your music playback at the same time.

    Essentially, you won’t need to toggle back and forth between the Spotify app and your game to change the volume, skip songs, or pause your music. This update could significantly enhance convenience for those who enjoy listening to music while playing their favorite mobile games.

    Streamlining User Experience

    The main goal here seems to be improving the experience for users who like to game with music in the background. Both OnePlus and OPPO are optimistic that integrating these functionalities into a single interface will make the experience smoother for users.

    However, there is a small catch: it remains uncertain which regions will initially have access to this new feature. Currently, the rollout appears to be limited, with more information about availability in different markets expected to be announced soon.

    A New Trend in Mobile Features

    This collaboration between OnePlus, OPPO, and Spotify represents a fresh approach to blending music streaming with mobile gaming. It may pave the way for new trends in smartphone feature development and cross-app functionalities.

    If you have a OnePlus or OPPO device and live in a region where this update is available, be on the lookout for the new overlay option in your Spotify app. Once it’s accessible, you can dive into the gaming tools and music control features it provides and assess how they improve your entertainment experience on the go.

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  • Spotify to Charge $5 More Monthly for Premium Hi-Fi Audio Feature

    Spotify to Charge $5 More Monthly for Premium Hi-Fi Audio Feature

    Spotify is reportedly close to introducing a high-fidelity audio add-on for its streaming service, according to a Bloomberg report. This new premium tier is expected to cost an additional $5 per month and will come with several new features, aside from the enhanced audio quality.

    Existing Spotify Premium subscribers will have the option to integrate the HiFi tier into their current plan, resulting in a total monthly cost of $16.99, considering the upcoming base price increase to $11.99 for Premium. According to Bloomberg, this add-on will also feature playlist creation tools tailored for specific activities, dates, or seasons. Although Spotify had initially announced its HiFi audio plans for 2021, the launch was never realized. Since then, there have been various speculations regarding this premium tier. Last year, Bloomberg mentioned a potential “Supremium” HiFi plan at a higher price, while The Wall Street Journal indicated that the add-on might include a remix feature that allows users to adjust playback speed.

    Features and Leaks

    In 2023, code discovered within the Spotify app provided additional hints about the potential features of the HiFi add-on. This leaked code suggested the inclusion of 24-bit lossless audio, AI-driven playlist creation, and a mood-based song filtering tool for playlists. More recently, a Reddit user found code mentioning “lossless has arrived” within the app. Another user later shared leaked UI elements that referenced lossless quality reaching up to 2,117kbps and the availability of 24-bit/44.1kHz for certain songs using the FLAC audio format.

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