Spotify For Android Gets Big Update, But Users Want More

Spotify for Android just got a big update. For now, it’s only available in preview mode for users with premium subscriptions (though premium subscriptions are available for 30-day trials). The updat...
Spotify For Android Gets Big Update, But Users Want More
Written by Chris Crum
  • Spotify for Android just got a big update. For now, it’s only available in preview mode for users with premium subscriptions (though premium subscriptions are available for 30-day trials).

    The update supports Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and comes with a full redesign with a new slide-out navigation interface, and more social features. You can look at friends’ profile pages and playlists from a mobile device. According to Spotify, it’s also faster, has better sound quality (with the 320kbps setting), higher resolution artist imagery, and a related artist view, which has been lacking from the Spotify mobile experience.

    “That’s not the end of it,” Spotify’s Diego Planas Rego says in a blog post. “We’re working hard on adding further features, including folders and Last FM scrobbling, before the app goes live in Google Play.”

    http://www.spotify.com/us/blog/archives/2012/04/19/new-android-preview/

    Users are happy that the app is here, but they want more. In some comments on that blog post, Ben Beckford suggests the addition of notification bar play controls, lock screen play controls, landscape mode, better use of screen size on tablets, syncing between apps and desktop version and use of offline tracks as ringtones.

    Chris Walsh wants the widget back, Spotify to remember where the user is in a shuffled playlist on a phone, and way to simply play a playlist, rather than having to start with a specific song.

    Others suggest things like adding Last.fm scrobbling and integration of local files.

    Spotify is specifically requesting feedback, however, so I’m sure the suggestions aren’t going unheard, and some may make their way to future updates.

    The preview version can be downloaded here. Spotify says you need to set your phone to allow installation from unknown sources by going to settings> applications >unknown sources. If you need to sign up for the premium subscription trial, you can do that here.

    There’s been a lot of interesting news out of Spotify lately. This week, the company indicated that the iPad app is on the way, and announced a partnership with Coca Cola.

    Earlier this week, a new Listen button, with Spotify integration was discovered appearing on Facebook Pages for bands.

    Today, WordPress announced the ability to embed Spotify (as well as Rdio and GitHub Gist) content on sites. For Spotify, users can just right click a song, album or artist and select “Copy HTTP Link” or “Copy Spotify URI” and paste it in the post editor to create an embed.

    Get the WebProNews newsletter delivered to your inbox

    Get the free daily newsletter read by decision makers

    Subscribe
    Advertise with Us

    Ready to get started?

    Get our media kit