Spotify has been hinting at the introduction of its HiFi plan for quite some time now, with speculations swirling around the potential cost of a plan that offers lossless audio. In spite of all the hints, rumors, and leaks, we still haven’t received a confirmed launch window for this feature, even though reports indicate that Spotify is likely to raise prices soon. Instead, the music streaming platform has opted to concentrate on launching new features, including an unexpected overhaul of the direct messaging system that it discontinued back in 2017.
The reintroduction of its direct messaging system is the newest feature of the Spotify app, and the company claims it will simplify the process of sharing songs with friends even more than it currently does. Naturally, there’s a case to be made for needing to connect with individuals on Spotify and then sharing songs there, as opposed to sending links to Spotify tabs via Discord, iMessage, and other messaging platforms.
I’m not certain if the introduction of direct messaging will achieve the intended effect — I still haven’t managed to connect with any of my friends on Spotify, even though I consistently share songs with them through other channels — although your experience may differ based on how you utilize the platform.
Not exactly the features users were hoping for
It’s also important to remember that the launch of this new feature isn’t what Spotify users have eagerly awaited for years. There’s still no indication of when we might see HiFi plans available on the streaming app, despite competitors like Apple Music already providing lossless music options. Even if Spotify does roll out HiFi this year, as some reports have claimed, how many users will simply remain with Apple Music or other services they already subscribe to instead of opting to pay more for lossless options?
These are inquiries that Spotify will need to address in one form or another, even if those responses are only ever discussed in marketing discussions. As a person who has used both Apple Music and Spotify, I much prefer the ease of sharing what I’m listening to from Spotify, since more people in my friend circle have access to it than Apple Music. Thus, the app certainly has that advantage.
In conclusion, I don’t believe a direct messaging system will alter how I share songs with my friends. Certainly, everyone interacts with the platform differently, and it’s possible there are users who genuinely desire more social features in the music streaming application. All we can do now is hope that upcoming news releases provide us with updates on Spotify’s HiFi plans, which remain an enigma.
