In a virtual event today, Spotify has unveiled a series of updates and new features coming to the audio platform. One of the most interesting announcements is the new lossless “Spotify HiFi” which will be a complementary option for premium subscribers as the platform wants to increase its lead over rivals like Apple Music.
Earlier this month, we learned that Spotify’s most recently paid number of subscribers reached 155 million, an increase of 24% per year. We’ve seen Apple Music outperform in terms of growth in different places, but Spotify is still the world’s most popular audio service in the world.
Aiming to be the world’s best audio platform, Spotify today hosted a ‘Stream On’ virtual event outlining a number of new features, tools and initiatives.
Spotify has noted that one of the most requested features of artists and users is a bee for higher quality sound. In response, the platform will launch “Spotify HiFi” in select markets later this year.
Spotify HiFi delivers CD-quality music, lossless audio format on your device, and Spotify Connect-enabled speakers, meaning fans will be able to experience more depth and clarity while enjoying their favorite tracks.
The platform made Billie Eilish and Finneas talk about the importance of high quality sound:
Spotify did not share how much the new HiFi access will cost, but we were able to confirm with the company that it will be an add-on for Spotify Premium subscribers. We also do not know when it will come in ‘selected markets’ other than ‘later this year’.
This will put the service ahead of Apple Music in particular, which still offers no lossless option like Tidal or Deezer.
The older content of “Mastered for iTunes” was updated in 2019 for Apple Music and rebranded as “Digital Masters”. However, it is still AAC – not lossless and does not fully compete with 16- and 24-bit FLAC formats provided by other services.
Spotify has also announced a range of other new features and tools available for artists and users in the coming months, such as polls and Q&A features, video support in podcasts, a partnership with WordPress to convert text into podcasts , and more.
Spotify has also noted that it wants to reach more than a billion new users in the coming days by expanding to 80 new markets in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and more.
Check out all the Spotify news in the Stream On event below:
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