Latest news with #SpotifyConnect
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spotify HiFi: release date rumors, price predictions, and everything we know so far
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. For fans of high-fidelity audio, Spotify HiFi could be the Holy Grail. After unveiling its plans for lossless, CD-quality audio in 2021, audiophiles around the world have been patiently waiting for Spotify to bridge that gap to competitor services like Tidal and Apple Music. Though it's still one of our best music streaming services, Spotify has yet to deliver its highly anticipated HiFi tier. It's been almost five years, but we are closer to the release of Spotify HiFi than ever before. When it comes to the hi-res audio game, Apple and Amazon are leaps and bounds ahead of Spotify. Since 2021 subscribers of both services have been able to reap the benefits of lossless audio quality at no extra cost, so what's gone wrong with Spotify? It's a question we're still asking ourselves to this day, but recently Spotify has been dropping more hints about its HiFi tier which we can now point to a late 2025 release date. Unfortunately, even when Spotify HiFi does drop, we have reason to believe that it will only be available in 'select markets' to start. And while Spotify hasn't said exactly how much the service will cost just yet, we're confident that the Spotify HiFi tier will cost more than the current standard premium subscription which sits at $11.99/ £11.99/ AU$13.99 - and there's no guarantee that every song in the entire Spotify catalog will have a HiFi version available. In spite of this very clear downside, we have good reason to believe that Spotify HiFi songs will be available to save and download to your devices for offline listening, which means you should be able to take your new lossless music library with you anywhere. Ready to make the leap to lossless? Here's everything we know about Spotify HiFi. Spotify HiFi release date rumors After five years since Spotify unveiled its plans to introduce lossless audio to enhance music listening for its subscribers, a recent Bloomberg ($/£) report says that Spotify HiFi is tipped to launch in late 2025 and will be called Spotify Music Pro. Not only will this new subscription tier give you the long-awaited lossless audio you've been waiting for, but will include additional benefits such as remixing tools (including some AI-powered features for mashing tracks together), and even special offers on live music and concert tickets. The latest update comes from tech expert Chris Messina, who found several references to "Lossless" with a capital L in the latest code for the Spotify desktop app. These point to promotional messages inside the app – "The best way to listen in Lossless is with Spotify Connect" – and alerts such as "we're sorry, this track isn't in Lossless yet" or "Looks like your internet connection is having a hard time supporting Lossless right now." Prior to these findings, Spotify's Open House event in May saw the company implying that it's currently looking at ways to improve the music streaming experience for 'superfans'. In addition to admitting it made mistakes with Wrapped 2024, CEO Daniel Ek had the following to say: 'What more things can we do like Fans First that scales, and that provides a great experience for the artist, and provides a great experience for the consumer?", adding "I do agree that the need – the creator need or the artist need – exists. And the consumer need is there too. The question is just how do you create a great experience?'. Spotify HiFi was expected to arrive in 2021, and one of the first leaks we came across was back then when a user on Reddit shared a video seemingly pointing to the HiFi onboarding process - but that was five years ago. Back in March, Spotify ran into a number of bug issues including one that showed ads to Premium subscribers, and while we can't directly connect this to the rollout of Spotify HiFi it's definitely raised our suspicions about what Spotify has going on behind-the-scenes. In a 2021 blog post, Spotify stated the following; "Beginning later this year, Premium subscribers in select markets will be able to upgrade their sound quality to Spotify HiFi and listen to their favorite songs the way artists intended,". Initially, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek claimed that the delay in adding Spotify HiFi has largely come down to licensing issues. Aside from licensing rights, the Spotify HiFi delay can be attributed to its undivided attention to its social features such as Spotify Wrapped, and its mission to bring more AI integrations to its user experience; its AI DJ feature and generative Daylist feature (one which I frequent regularly) are two of its most popular AI tools. Recently, we reported on Spotify's plans to 'double down' on music in 2025 which we believe could go down one of two paths; either the long-awaited HiFi tier or more AI advancements. It's also worth focusing on that select markets bit as it means we won't see Spotify HiFi going live in every territory at the same time. Previously, when Spotify has rolled out new features it usually starts with the US and Europe, but now that the service is available in more than 180 markets, it's hard to say which will be among the first to get the new service. The other issue you'll run into regarding Spotify HiFi's release date – whenever it is eventually announced – is that it's unlikely that every Spotify Connect device will get the upgrade at the same time – which means some speakers like, say, the Sonos One and PS5 might get it long before your slightly older AV receiver. Spotify HiFi price predictions According to the recent Bloomberg report, if the rumors of Spotify Music Pro are true then it could cost you an additional $5 a month on top of its $12 Premium plan. This means that it could be a 50% price rise, presumably costing an additional £6 in the UK and AU$7 in Australia. Previously, we had reason to believe that Spotify HiFi would launch as a brand new subscription tier but the new rumors point to our past guesses that Spotify HiFi would be a new Music Pro feature, as well as a $5 add-on for the Premium Plan. Spotify Premium currently stands at a monthly cost of $11.99/ £11.99/ AU$13.99 therefore if the $5 add-on rumors are true, we'd venture a guess that Spotify HiFi could cost between $14.99 and $19.99 which feels like a safe bet. Speaking of new add-ons, recently a leaked image on X (see below) shows text in the Spotify iOS beta app saying "Explore plans and get more from your Premium experience with add-ons". While we don't know what these add-ons will consist of, they would give credibility to the Bloomberg rumors and mark a big change in Spotify's subscription tier system. What's also influencing our previous guesses is the competition: a Tidal subscription will run you $19.99 per month, while Hi-Res Audio streaming services like Qobuz and Deezer cost $14.99 and $11.99 per month. Amazon Music Unlimited and Apple Music are a bit cheaper and now include lossless streaming options, and it's possible Spotify HiFi could be around the same price if it ever launches. On the prices front, The Financial Times ($/£) recently dropped a report hinting at an upcoming price hike. According to it's coverage Spotify will be increasing the cost of an individual subscription by €1 (about $1/£1) as soon as June, but this will only apply to subscribers in Europe and Latin American countries, and not those in the US who received a price hike just last year. Spotify HiFi audio quality So, just how good will Spotify HiFi's lossless audio be? It will supposedly sound, at the very least, as good as a CD does – and maybe a bit better. According to Spotify, Spotify HiFi will stream CD-quality lossless audio to your devices. Ideally, those devices will be connected to a network and capable of using Spotify Connect, otherwise, you'll have to pipe it over Bluetooth which will likely diminish the quality. In the absence of Spotify HiFi, you can amend your audio streaming quality in your account settings to add somewhat of an improvement to your listening experience. Just go to your Spotify settings, and tap 'Audio Quality'. That's a heck of a lot better than Spotify's current offering of 320kbps, and will likely bring the service's potential audio quality up to par with Tidal, Deezer, and maybe even Apple's Digital Masters. Speaking of Apple Digital Masters, there's always a chance that Spotify might also go above and beyond hi-fi with 96kHz / 24-bit audio, but we're not holding our breath. So what does that all mean? In a very practical sense, lossless audio formats have more details and data than their lossy counterparts. That means hearing new details in songs you've never heard before that otherwise might've been cut out when the data was compressed. It should also sound a bit wider and more immersive, though, a lot of it will depend on which headphones or speakers you use, too. Spotify HiFi song catalog The murkiest detail of all for Spotify HiFi is how many – and which – songs from Spotify's more than 100 million-song catalog will be included. The safest assumption we can make is that it won't support every song in Spotify's vast catalog, but millions of them should be. Among those will likely be top hits from major record labels which already distribute the files to other services, while some music from smaller labels and older legacy titles likely won't make the cut. We'll keep our ears to the ground for more details on which songs will make the cut, but for now, it's probably best to keep your CD collection right where it is until new details emerge. You might also like I changed this one small Spotify feature and it made my music sound dramatically better My top 5 tips to make more of your Spotify playlists – and trust me, I'm a playlist obsessive Forget Spotify – I'm going all-in on Bandcamp for music in 2025, here's why you should too
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- 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
20-06-2025
- 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
20-06-2025
- 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
19-06-2025
- 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.
