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Spotify is a music streaming service that debuted in late 2008. It’s the most popular music streaming service in the world with over 200 million users (as of January 2019).

The free version allows users to stream songs for free with ads (mobile version only allows for shuffling). Paid users can have full access to the entire library for listening. Pricing is $9.99 per month for individual users and $14.99 per month for families (up to six people). There are additional plans for students that include bundled with Hulu. Apps are available for iPhone, iPad, macOS, and the web.

In early 2019, it purchased Gimlet Media and Anchor as a transition to becoming an “audio company” vs a music-only company.

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Spotify accuses Apple of blocking its app updates in the EU following $2 billion fine

spotify logo

Apple was recently fined 1.8 billion euros (about $2 billion USD) by the European Union commission, which argues that the company abuses its dominant position to harm Apple Music competitors on iOS. Even so, it seems that the company still has unresolved issues with Spotify, its main competitor, which is now accusing Apple of blocking its app updates in the EU.

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There is no excuse for the failure to implement Spotify HomePod support

Spotify HomePod support | Original and mini models shown

My colleague yesterday referenced the fact that Spotify is demanding greater freedoms from Apple, but hasn’t yet taken advantage of the ones already offered to the company. Key among these is the company’s failure to implement Spotify HomePod support.

It seems pretty ridiculous to complain that Apple Music has an unfair advantage over Spotify, while at the same time failing to take advantage of a clear opportunity to partly level the playing field – and keep your HomePod-owning subscribers happy …

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Spotify comment on Apple’s $2B antitrust fine hints at possible malicious compliance

Spotify comment on Apple | Headphones next to iMac on desk

We noted yesterday that Spotify welcomed Apple being fined $2B for antitrust offences relating to streaming music services.

The tone of the company’s response, however, strongly suggests that it believes the iPhone maker will repeat what some have described as Apple’s “malicious compliance” in another antitrust case …

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Spotify and other companies criticize Apple in letter to EU commission

Apple App Store EU

Apple will soon roll out major changes to iOS users in the EU as part of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust legislation. However, many developers have been unhappy with Apple’s proposals to comply with the DMA. Because of this, Spotify and dozens of other companies have now shared a letter to the European Commission complaining about “Apple’s lack of DMA compliance.”

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Spotify paid users hit 236M, but company returns to losing money, amid Apple battle

Spotify paid users hit 236M | Mac app opening

Spotify reported a mix of good news and bad in its latest quarterly earnings report. The good news was that Spotify paid users hit 236M, up 4% on the previous quarter. Subscribers on the free ad-funded tier grew even more, up 5% to 602M.

The bad news was that the company, which managed a rare quarterly profit in Q3, returned to being a loss-making business in Q4 …

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Spotify in-app subscriptions previewed – but Apple is still determined to make it impossible

Spotify in-app subscriptions previewed

Spotify in-app subscriptions aren’t currently possible, thanks to Apple’s 30% cut – but the company has today previewed the experience it hopes to offer to European customers from March.

The streaming music company shows animations comparing the current in-app experience with the one it hopes to be able to offer once Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust law comes into force on March 7 …

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Vision Pro apps: Why some big brands have actively opted out

Vision Pro apps | Apple promo image on a plane

With pre-orders open, we know which of Apple’s Vision Pro apps will be pre-installed – but we also know some major third-party apps have no current plans to support the device.

While there’s still time for things to change, it’s already clear that some developers have made a deliberate decision to stay off Vision Pro, going so far as to block their iPad apps from running. That’s likely for three reasons …

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Spotify calls Apple’s 27% cut of purchases outside the App Store ‘outrageous’; urges EU to ‘act switftly’

Spotify vs Apple music

Apple announced yesterday that US App Store developers may link to alternative payment methods but will still have to pay up to a 27% commission. Now Spotify has shared an official statement on the matter saying the move “flies in the face of the court’s efforts” and urging the EU to prohibit fees for outside link purchases “swiftly.”

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App Store anti-steering ban would be consumer-friendly, with little risk to Apple

App Store anti-steering ban | Steering wheel of Ford Mustang

We learned yesterday that the European Union looks set to impose an App Store anti-steering ban on Apple. That is, Apple would no longer be allowed to prevent Spotify and other music services from linking to their own company’s website for subscription sign-ups.

The ruling we’re expecting is a narrow one, in response to a complaint filed by Spotify almost four years ago now, and will likely only apply to streaming music services. But the principle is a sound one, and is unlikely to pose any great risk to Apple …

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EU to ban anti-steering App Store rules for Apple Music competitors after Spotify complaint

spotify logo

Apple will soon be handed a major loss in its antitrust battle with Spotify in the European Union. According to Bloomberg, EU regulators are preparing a ruling that would prohibit Apple from “blocking music services from pushing their users away from the App Store to alternative subscription options.”

Apple could also face a hefty fine as part of the ruling, potentially reaching as much as 10% of its annual sales in the EU.

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Latest Spotify layoffs: 1,500 employees in run-up to holidays, in ‘strategic reorientation’

Latest Spotify layoffs | App on iPhone in a Jeep

A third round of Spotify layoffs this year will see some 1,500 employees lose their jobs in the run-up to the holidays. This follows the loss of 600 jobs at the start of the year, and several hundred more in the summer.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek described the move as a ‘strategic reorientation,’ but the company’s fundamental problem remains unchanged …

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Spotify Wrapped 2023 now available: Here’s everything you need to know

Spotify wrapped 2023

Following the debut of Apple Music Replay yesterday, Spotify Wrapped is also now available. This year’s Spotify Wrapped gives users the ability to view in-depth information on their top songs, artists, albums, and more. There’s also a new “Me” feature that assigns you a “listening character specific to your tastes and habits on Spotify.”

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Daniel Ek pens op-ed claiming he couldn’t launch Spotify in 2023 because of Apple

Spotify down

Spotify CEO and founder Daniel Ek is no stranger to criticizing Apple and the App Store to anyone who will listen. This time around, Ek has published a new op-ed in the Daily Mail with some of his most poignant criticism of Apple yet.

The argument? Ek says that he wouldn’t be able to launch Spotify in 2023 because “Apple is a barrier to innovation.”

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