Whether you’re looking for music to listen to while you’re driving, or just want to listen to your favorite radio station, Spotify can make your car the center of your entertainment. And with the new Car Thing, you’ll be able to find and play songs that fit your personality. If you don’t have a Spotify subscription, you can sign up for a free trial. You’ll also be able to access all of the music on the Car Thing from your smartphone, with Apple Music and other streaming services available.
Apple Music
If you’re looking for a way to discover new music, there are two apps that can help. Apple Music and Spotify both offer a vast library of songs and podcasts. Both have exclusive content as well. So which one is the better option?
In terms of features, both apps offer a curated playlist recommendation system. However, Spotify has a much better algorithm for making suggestions. This includes a variety of factors, including genre, musical elements and time of day. It also uses social media to track what friends are listening to.
Another feature that both services have in common is the ability to share song links. You can do this by sending a message or by using a custom QR code. Using this feature is easy, and you can scan a code with your phone or camera.
On the other hand, Apple Music offers the option to download songs when you’re away from a Wi-Fi connection. When downloading a song, you can choose a bitrate. For example, if you want to listen to a song in the highest quality, you can choose 320kbps. Then, when you return to your device, you’ll have a new set of tracks to play.
Apple Music also offers a variety of radio stations, and the For You section is populated with a mix of playlists. There’s a search feature, which can be used to find music by lyric phrase. Additionally, Apple Music has a browse feature, which allows you to browse tons of music videos.
On the other hand, Spotify has a streamlined design that makes the interface easier to navigate on both desktop and mobile. Spotify also has a web player, which is great for computers that don’t have a Spotify app installed.
While both apps are easy to use, it’s easy to see how Spotify has gained a lead. With a larger library and more options, Spotify can win out in the long run. But in the meantime, Apple Music has its own unique features and a great set of podcasts.
Podcasts
If you’ve been searching for ways to enjoy your music on Spotify, you’re probably aware that the platform also offers podcasts. These audio streams can be listened to on both desktop and mobile apps. Whether you want to try something new or explore a familiar podcast, you’ll find a host of shows to choose from.
First, you’ll need to sign up for a Spotify account. The company’s website has a search box to help you locate podcasts you might want to try. You can even grab the direct link to a podcast listing for use in your desktop app.
Next, you’ll need to submit your podcast’s RSS feed. This means providing the title, category, artwork, and other details about your show. Your podcast’s RSS feed should be in a standard format developed by Apple Podcasts.
After you’ve submitted your podcast’s RSS feed, you’ll receive an email from Spotify with a verification code. This code can be used to verify your podcast’s ownership.
Once your content has been verified, you’ll be able to add it to your Spotify library. If you need to, you can find it by using the Search page, where you’ll be asked a few questions about your listening habits.
As you browse the content on the podcasts page, you’ll see a few playback icons at the bottom of the page. Selecting one of these will bring up a list of playback speeds. To speed up your listen, select the ‘1x’ button. Or you can simply skip forward 15 seconds.
The Spotify Play button is a white sideways triangle. It may only be visible when you hover over a podcast’s name. When it’s visible, you’ll be able to click it to begin playing.
There are a few ways you can add your own podcasts to the Spotify platform. You can either record your own podcast and share it to the platform, or you can use an existing podcast. Alternatively, you can submit your podcast to the Spotify for Podcasters portal. By doing so, you’ll be able to upload more content, and you won’t have your episodes deleted if you don’t keep up with their schedules.
Car Thing
Earlier this year, Spotify released the Car Thing, a portable in-car media playback device. The device can be controlled through a 4-inch touchscreen, voice commands, or a navigation interface.
It’s a Bluetooth-enabled device that allows users to stream music from Spotify. Spotify has said that it wasn’t looking to compete with other in-car infotainment systems, like Apple’s CarPlay. Instead, it’s hoping to provide a more convenient and easy-to-use listening experience for consumers.
The Car Thing is available for purchase for $90, on top of your existing Spotify subscription. It works with both iOS and Android phones. For example, it features a four-inch touchscreen and four microphones. You can also connect the Car Thing to your car’s audio system with a 12-volt adapter and USB cable.
Spotify’s Car Thing came with a CD-player mount, an adapter, and a USB cord. In addition, it comes with a quick-start guide and mounting accessories. To use the device, you will need to first register for a Spotify Premium account. If you don’t already have one, you can sign up for a free trial.
In July, Spotify announced it would enter the audiobook business. According to the company, it will now be able to offer more services for its growing base of free and paid listeners. And with the expected global recession, the company hopes to keep its costs low.
Although the Car Thing did not last long, it can be used to make your commute more enjoyable. The device plays audio content from the Spotify library through Bluetooth, but you can control it with voice commands and a large dial on the front.
Even if you don’t have a subscription to Spotify, you can still use the Car Thing. This new in-car media player allows you to listen to music without having to worry about lock screens and other distractions. It even includes a night mode.
If you have a newer car that doesn’t come with Apple CarPlay, you’ll want to take advantage of the new Car Thing device.
Antitrust complaint
The European Union has received an antitrust complaint against Spotify. This is the latest in a series of complaints filed by major tech companies. Apple, Google, Facebook, and Amazon have all been singled out for their aggressive business practices.
One of the main complaints is that Apple has stifled competition through its App Store. It has imposed experience-limiting restrictions that prevent app developers from enhancing their user experiences. Another concern is that Apple takes a 30 percent cut of in-app purchases.
The European Commission is examining the case under standard procedures. They could issue a statement of objections to Apple before the summer, which would hold them responsible for their actions. That statement would set out what they must do to correct the issues.
If Apple is found to have abused its dominant position, the company will face new antitrust charges. These charges would come on top of the existing antitrust charges filed in April 2021. Moreover, the EU will be able to impose fines of up to 10% of a company’s annual revenue.
Apple controls the iOS platform, and acts as an intermediary between app makers and customers. It also imposes technical restrictions on third-party developers to limit their ability to connect to Apple products.
While Apple may be a dominant player in music streaming apps, the European Commission claims that it is unfairly distorting the market. In addition to preventing competitors from integrating with Apple services, the European Commission claims that the in-app purchase fee is designed to hurt competing services.
In the past, Spotify has tried to resolve these issues directly with Apple. But this time, the company decided to file a formal complaint with the European Commission.
The European Commission has said it will consider the complaint in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Spotify has created a website to explain its grievances, as well as a YouTube video that addresses the main concerns.
Spotify is particularly annoyed by Apple’s in-app purchase fees, which stifle consumer choice. As a result, it is forced to artificially inflate its prices to compete with Apple Music.
