Spotify's HiFi tier could finally be about to launch
Source code reveals more information...
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Spotify's HiFi lossless tier could finally be about to launch – a full six years after it was first teased. As expected, the tier will offer 24-bit lossless audio, and will put AI to work helping you create playlists, according to the latest leak which surfaced on Reddit (via The Verge).
The leaker has found Spotify source code referencing the lossless tier. It also backs up a previous report that said the tier would be called 'Supremium'.
According to the leak, Spotify will refer to lossless audio as having "no lags and delays". It says Spotify will offer 30 hours of audiobook listening a month with the tier, along with the ability to order your music library by mood, activity and genre.
It looks like mixing tools could turn you into a bedroom DJ, too. The source code mentions advanced tools like being able to order playlists by beats per minute and blend one song into another. Another feature called 'soundcheck' would show what "mix of sounds is uniquely you" based on your listening history and habits.
And the price? $19.99, although this could just be a placeholder. Spotify has previously mentioned a Platinum tier at that price that would include HiFi's lossless audio. Spotify's Premium plan currently costs £10 / $10 / AU$12.
Spotify is staying mum regarding the veracity of this leak. A spokesperson told The Verge that while the firm is "constantly iterating and ideating to improve our product offering and offer value to users", it wouldn't "comment on speculation around possible new features and do not have anything new to share at this time."
Spotify first teased the HiFi tier back in 2017, before officially announcing it in 2021. Since then... nothing. Well, not exactly. In March of this year, the firm confirmed the tier was still definitely coming, it just couldn't say when. Since its initial announcement, Apple Music and Amazon Music started offering lossless audio at no extra fee, parking their tanks squarely on Spotify's lawn. Can Spotify HiFi justify charging extra? Especially after such a protracted delay? Watch this space...
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Joe has been writing about tech for 20 years, first on staff at T3 magazine, then in a freelance capacity for Stuff, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine (now defunct), Men's Health, GQ, The Mirror, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar and many more. His specialities include all things mobile, headphones and speakers that he can't justifying spending money on.
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JR75 What a joke. Spotify is the last streaming audio service to offer Hi-Res audio - Maybe. They have been dorking around with this for years and still nothing. And if they are going to charge 19.95 a month - get Tidal - far superior to Spotify.Reply -
Friesiansam "Could" be about to launch? A bit like saying the Tories might start telling the truth...Reply -
stefanb
If they launch and have AI-assisted features + audiobooks, many people will change to them; After Tidal's recent move of abandoning MQA format, how ill they differentiate?JR75 said:What a joke. Spotify is the last streaming audio service to offer Hi-Res audio - Maybe. They have been dorking around with this for years and still nothing. And if they are going to charge 19.95 a month - get Tidal - far superior to Spotify.
I've been using Tidal for many years and paired it with KEF LS502 wireless for in-built decoder.
Not happy with their latest change. I've seen some improvements in the algorithm and they do recommend better matches than what they used to but still..
I listen to my podcasts on spotify and books on audible and would love to merge everything to the same app -
jjbomber
Weapons of Mass Destruction. The biggest lies always come from Labour.Friesiansam said:"Could" be about to launch? A bit like saying the Tories might start telling the truth... -
Terry Webb Good to hear but I think the new desktop layout looks awful. Who thought it would be a good idea to squash the album library into one side of the screen. The person or team getting paid good money to come up that piffle must be getting desperate for new ideas.Reply -
Terry Webb I hope Spotify increase the volume level on their HiFi offer. The current sound level is too low when compared to Tidal and the others. That's my opinion anyway.Reply