The Spotify Leanback Instant listening app: iOS – TechCrunch



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Spotify has launched its instant listening apps on iOS, but only in Australia at the moment. This version arrives almost a year and a half after the first appearance of the application Stations on the market, initially aimed at Android users in Australia. Nicknamed an "experiment", the app allows users to jump directly to streaming instead of having to manage their own playlists or stations, or save their favorite music in their library.

Unlike Spotify's flagship application, the Stations application provides users with a minimalist interface in which the available playlists are displayed with an oversized font. You can scroll through playlists to select one instead of typing in a search field or searching for voice commands.

When launching Stations, the music starts playing automatically – a feature that once called it "Pandora copier" at launch, since instant music playback was already supported by Spotify's Pandora rival.

The stations have been widely designed for those looking for a closer radio experience with less manual input. Free users will listen to ads, sweep songs, but will not be able to skip tracks. Premium users who download stations enjoy unlimited hopping and listening without advertising.

The Stations application now offers a range of playlists by genre, decade, activity, etc., but is also customized over time. You can also choose to create your own stations by choosing from the favorite artists in an experience reminiscent of the customization offered today by YouTube Music – up to the rounded artist profile photos you press. .

When listening to music on stations, you can scroll through songs to create custom stations, including a Discover the Week playlist, Restart Radar, and a favorites list.

We have not heard much about the stations since its beginnings in January 2018. And its limited version – it was never sold in the United States, for example – could have indicated that it was an experience that did not really succeed.

But it seems now that this is no longer the case, considering the new iOS extension.

By offering the application to more users, Spotify has the opportunity to learn and collect data from a larger and more representative group of people. Whether or not takes station ideas to his main application remains to be seen.

The company declined to comment on his plans when asked.

"At Spotify, we regularly run several tests to improve our user experience," said a spokesperson. "Some of these tests eventually pave the way for our wider user experience and others only constitute an important learning. We will not comment on specific tests at the moment, "they added.

Stations is now available on iOS in Australia. More information about the application can be found on the (recently updated) help site here.

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