Latest news with #Spotify
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Is Spotify's hottest new band even real?
A band named The Velvet Sundown has drawn intense scrutiny after its music gained hundreds of thousands of streams on Spotify, despite virtually no public presence or verifiable identity, reports the BBC. The group, which has more than 850,000 monthly listeners and a verified Spotify page, emerged online several weeks ago. Yet none of the four named musicians have granted interviews, appear to have social media accounts, or have performed live. The absence of a human trace has led to growing suspicions that The Velvet Sundown and its music are generated by artificial intelligence (AI), a claim the band has denied via social media. The controversy deepened when Rolling Stone US reported that a spokesperson for the band had admitted its music was created using an AI tool called Suno, only for the publication to later reveal that the spokesperson himself, a man named Andrew Frelon, was a hoax. Frelon told the magazine the deception was a "deliberate plot to hoax the media." In a statement on its Spotify page, The Velvet Sundown distanced itself from Frelon, stating the band has "no affiliation with this individual, nor any evidence confirming their identity or existence." It also described an account on X (formerly Twitter), which claimed to represent the band, as fake. Professor Gina Neff, of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at the University of Cambridge, said the incident reflects broader concerns around digital authenticity and AI. "Whether this is an AI band may not seem important," she told the BBC. "But increasingly, our collective grip on reality seems shaky. The Velvet Sundown story plays into the fears we have of losing control of AI and shows how important protecting online information is." The band's moody indie ballads feature guitar and male vocals, with lyrics such as "eyes like film in faded light, dreams walk barefoot into the night" and "ash and velvet, smoke and flame, calling out in freedom's name" - vague and poetic enough to plausibly originate from either humans or AI. Rival music streaming platform Deezer said its AI detection tool flagged the music as 100 per cent AI-generated. Spotify has not yet offered a comment. Its CEO Daniel Ek previously said in an interview that Spotify has no plans to ban AI-generated music, though he opposes the use of AI to mimic real artists.
The Verge
7 hours ago
- The Verge
Believe (in Spotify HiFi).
Believe (in Spotify HiFi). If you're still waiting for Spotify's lossless audio offering , Chris Messina notes that the 9.0.58 update that rolled out a couple of days ago on Android has new changes hinting at the feature for settings tied to cellular downloading and checking storage space. It's similar to what we saw last month, but after all these years, how long will it take to turn into something everyone can use?
Time Business News
8 hours ago
- Time Business News
Spotify Premium APK: How to Get Unlimited Skips, Offline Music, and No Ads for Free
Spotify has become a dominant force in the world of music streaming. It gives access to millions of songs, podcasts, and playlists. While Spotify Free offers a range of features, it comes with limitations like ads, restricted skips, and a lack of offline functionality. For those looking to unlock Spotify's premium features without spending money on a subscription, the Spotify Premium APK offers an attractive alternative. This APK provides all the perks of Spotify Premium—such as unlimited skips, offline music, and an ad-free experience—without the need to pay for the service. In this article, we will explain how to get Spotify Premium for free using the APK, walk through the installation process, explore its features, and discuss the risks involved. An APK (Android Package Kit) is a file format used by Android devices to install applications. A Spotify Premium APK is a modified version of the official Spotify app that unlocks all the premium features without needing a paid subscription. With the Spotify Premium APK, you can enjoy features such as: Unlimited skips : Unlike Spotify Free, which limits the number of skips, the Premium APK allows you to skip as many songs as you want. : Unlike Spotify Free, which limits the number of skips, the Premium APK allows you to skip as many songs as you want. Offline listening : You can download music, albums, and playlists to listen offline, a feature typically only available to Premium users. : You can download music, albums, and playlists to listen offline, a feature typically only available to Premium users. No ads : Say goodbye to annoying ads that interrupt your listening experience. The Premium APK ensures an ad-free environment. : Say goodbye to annoying ads that interrupt your listening experience. The Premium APK ensures an ad-free environment. High-quality audio: Premium subscribers enjoy enhanced sound quality, which is also available through the APK. By using the Spotify Premium APK, you get all of the benefits of a paid subscription for free. It unlocks all the premium features typically found in Spotify Premium. Here's a closer look at what you get: Spotify Free limits users to a certain number of song skips per hour. This can be particularly frustrating when you're listening to a playlist or album and want to skip a song you don't enjoy. The APK removes this restriction, letting you skip any number of songs without any interruptions. One of the most popular features of Spotify Premium is the ability to download songs for offline listening. Whether you're traveling, in an area with poor reception, or simply want to save on mobile data, this feature allows you to download your favorite tracks. With the Spotify APK, you get the same ability to download music and listen to it without needing an active internet connection. Spotify Free is supported by ads that interrupt your music experience. These ads can become tedious, especially during long listening sessions. By using the Spotify APK, you can enjoy an uninterrupted listening experience with no ads. All your songs will play seamlessly without being interrupted by promotional ads. Spotify Premium subscribers get access to high-definition audio with higher bitrates. The Spotify Premium APK unlocks this feature, offering a richer, more immersive music experience. If you care about audio quality, this feature is a huge plus as it lets you enjoy your music in clearer, more vibrant sound. Installing this Premium APK on your Android device is simple, but it requires some extra steps since it's not available through the official Google Play Store. Here's a detailed guide on how to download and install the APK safely: Before you can install the APK, you need to enable installation from unknown sources in your device's settings: Open Settings on your Android device. Scroll down and tap on Security or Privacy (depending on your device). Look for the option called Install unknown apps and toggle it on for the browser you plan to use to download the APK (e.g., Chrome). Visit a trusted website offering the latest version of the Spotify Premium APK. Websites like provide the most up-to-date versions. Find the download button for the Spotify Premium APK and tap on it. Wait for the APK file to download to your device. It will be saved in the Downloads folder. Once the APK file has been downloaded, go to your Downloads folder. Tap on the Spotify Premium APK file to begin installation. A security warning will appear asking you to confirm the installation. Tap Install to proceed. Wait for the installation to complete. After installation, open the app. You can log in with your existing Spotify account or create a new one. With the Spotify Premium APK, you can enjoy all the premium features right away, including unlimited skips, offline listening, and no ads. If you're concerned about the risks of using the Spotify Premium APK, there are some legal alternatives available to get Spotify Premium features without paying the full subscription price: Free Trial: Spotify offers a free trial for new users, allowing them to enjoy all the premium features for a limited time. Student Discount: If you're a student, you can get Spotify Premium at a discounted rate through Spotify's student plan. Family Plan: Spotify's Family Plan allows you to share a single Premium subscription with up to six people at a discounted rate. Spotify Gift Cards: You can use Spotify gift cards to pay for Premium without needing a credit card. It offers a way to enjoy Spotify's premium features without a paid subscription, including unlimited skips, offline listening, and an ad-free experience. However, it's important to be aware of the risks involved, such as security threats, account suspension, and legal issues. If you decide to use the Spotify Premium APK, always download it from a trusted source like to reduce the chances of encountering harmful software. If you prefer to avoid the risks, consider using legal alternatives like the Spotify Free trial, student discounts, or the Family Plan. Regardless of how you choose to enjoy Spotify, always make informed decisions to protect your device and account. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Business of Fashion
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business of Fashion
Rachel Scott on the Sensuality of Craft
Listen to and follow the 'BoF Podcast': Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Overcast Background: Rachel Scott, founder of Diotima, has built a reputation for bringing a nuanced portrayal of Caribbean culture to the global fashion stage. Drawing on her Jamaican heritage and global experience, Scott seeks to foreground overlooked craft traditions and champion a narrative that moves beyond exoticised tropes. 'Craft doesn't have an aesthetic. Craft is technique and execution,' Scott says. 'There are endless possibilities, and on a conceptual level, I think that craft is the most intimate form of fashion. Because it is made by hand, there is this energy exchange. So I kept thinking about intimacy, sensuality and desire. This week on The BoF Podcast, Rachel Scott sits down with BoF founder and CEO Imran Amed to discuss how she is redefining craft and advocating for a more inclusive design industry. Key Insights: Scott credits her global outlook to extensive travels during her childhood. 'When I was younger, [my mother] was adamant not to take us to Europe because that was easy. So she would take us to Asia… and South America. I already had this grounding of a global perspective,' she explained. Her extensive travels through Asia and South America particularly influenced her to view fashion as a form of communication: 'I started thinking about clothes as language, especially because I was seeing these different perspectives and these different approaches to dressing.' Scott seeks to foreground informal, yet globally shared, knowledge of embroidery and craft techniques. 'I remember seeing techniques in India that I had seen in Jamaica… there is this global knowledge, but only one place gets valued,' she says. This recognition inspired her mission to challenge the traditional valuation of craftsmanship. 'It's almost like an oral tradition that exists that I wanted to find a way to elevate and present to the world,' she adds. For Scott, craft is inherently sensual and intimate. 'Because it is made by hand, there is this energy exchange,' she says. This philosophy underpins her creative approach, focusing on tactile and emotional connections: 'I would receive the production of the crochet… I would open the box and feel this energy. There is spirit and there is something imparted from the person making it to the person wearing it.' Scott's advice to aspiring fashion designers is to challenge traditional expectations and timelines. 'Fashion is really crazy… someone really small is judged on the same level as someone from a conglomerate,' she explained, encouraging designers to embrace their unique journeys. 'You don't have to abide by these notions of when you should do something, how you should do it… wait until you're ready and find your way.' Additional Resources: The Business of Beauty Global Forum: Hailey Bieber Is Just Getting Started
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Can Spotify's Reliance on AI-Powered Offerings Drive Growth?
Spotify Technology S.A. SPOT has consistently focused on integrating AI to personalize its offerings. This approach has helped the company's steady growth in user engagement reinforce its leadership in the audio streaming market. The AI DJ feature, launched in 2023, continues to resonate with users, with reports indicating high engagement. In the first quarter of 2023, SPOT had 515 million monthly active users (MAU), which increased 16.9% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The company then reported 615 million MAU, marking an increase of 2.1% from the previous quarter. This figure grew nearly 10% by the end of the fourth quarter of 2024. In the most recent March quarter, Spotify reported 678 million MAU, adding 3 million from the previous quarter and rising 10.2% from the same quarter last year. SPOT's AI DJ partially contributed to MAU growth, as other AI-powered features enhanced the user experience. Spotify Wrapped, an AI-driven personalized summary of listening habits, remains a strong tool for retention and engagement. In the recent earnings call, management explained that the slowdown in the first quarter was due to the strong performance of Spotify Wrapped in the previous quarter. This feature is likely to boost user engagement again in the second half of the year as well. Spotify's AI Playlist feature is gaining traction, which allows premium users to create playlists from prompts, and it has expanded to more than 40 new markets in April 2025. This feature improves the value proposition of a paid subscription, contributing toward average year-over-year revenue per user growth of 4% in the first quarter of 2025. The company has also utilized AI in optimizing its ad targeting for a significant proportion of its ad-supported user base, enhancing its user engagement. In doing so, SPOT registered 8% year-over-year growth in ad-supported revenues and witnessed an 885-basis-point increase in its ad-supported gross margin. The company has enhanced its focus on AI-based offerings up a notch by accepting audiobooks from ElevenLabs, an AI software company that offers high-quality voice narration technology. Authors can now use the ElevenLabs platform to narrate their audiobooks in 29 languages and distribute the content to Spotify, expanding their reach. That said, the global audiobooks market is anticipated to grow, seeing a CAGR of 26.2% from 2025 to 2030. Partnering with ElevenLabs is a strategic move for Spotify, allowing it to extend its global reach, strengthen its competitive moat and monetize its enormous global audience. The SPOT stock has skyrocketed 128.8% in the past year, significantly outperforming Amazon AMZN and Apple AAPL, and the industry as a whole. The industry has rallied 32%. Amazon has gained 11.7%, while Apple has declined 5.2%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, SPOT trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 64.34X, higher than Amazon's 33.26X, Apple's 28.33X and the industry's 39.73X. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Spotify has a Value Score of F, while Amazon and Apple have a Value Score of D, respectively. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Spotify's earnings for 2025 is pegged at $9.22 per share, implying 55% year-over-year growth. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research SPOT currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Inc. (AMZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Apple Inc. (AAPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Spotify Technology (SPOT) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
