Sources with Bloomberg have learned that Spotify is planning a new premium tier for its music streaming service that will include HiFi audio, a potential boon for audiophiles and other critical listeners who can actually tell the difference between standard-bitrate MP3s and more sophisticated formats that include FLAC. The new tier, which is being referred to as “Supremium” internally, is expected to surface this year, although it’s reportedly launching in non-US markets first. Coincidentally, Spotify has just released a new version of its desktop app, featuring redesigned “Your Library” and “Now Playing” views, plus other improvements.
“At Spotify, we are constantly iterating and ideating to improve our product offering and offer value to users,” a company spokesperson told Bloomberg. “But we don’t comment on speculation around possible new features and do not have anything new to share at this time.”
Spotify Desktop’s Redesigned Features
- Go compact: By default, you’ll see an expanded view of Your Library. But if you only want to see your playlist icons, you can simply click the “Your Library” button in the top right hand corner to collapse the library.
- Search & filter Your Library: Previously, the only way to find playlists was through the search bar—and you had to wade through not only your own content, but results from the entire Spotify catalog. Now, when it’s expanded, our new Library design allows you to toggle through your dedicated music, podcast, and audiobook feeds and search Your Library exclusively.
- Customize: We want this experience to fit the way you listen, which is why Your Library and Now Playing can both be resized to take up more or less of the screen.
- Pin, drag & drop: You can move and pin the playlists in the Library, as well as drop songs into the editable listed playlists.
From a Bloomberg report (alternate link):
Dubbed “Supremium” internally, according to people familiar with the strategy, the new tier will be Spotify’s most expensive plan and likely offer a HiFi feature the company first announced it was working on in 2021. Spotify delayed that product’s rollout after two of its competitors, Apple Music and Amazon Music, began offering the feature for free as part of their standard plans. The new tier will launch this year in non-US markets first.
To augment its current “Premium” tier, Spotify will give subscribers expanded access to audiobooks, either through a specific number of hours free per month or a specific number of titles. There will be an option to purchase more. Currently, the company only sells audiobooks a la carte through its app. Spotify plans to introduce that feature in the US in October, after first launching in markets abroad.