Last summer, in a bid to beat the competition in emerging markets, Spotify quietly unveiled an alternative version of its app.
Dubbed Spotify Lite, the company first tested the 15 MB app in Brazil.
Visually, both apps look similar. Yet, under the hood, the company has made several key changes.
Stating that the slimmed-down app “saves you data, battery, and storage,” Lite first allows users to set a monthly mobile data cap. Listeners can choose between 250 MB, 500 MB, 750 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, and 3 GB. Remember, almost every emerging market has a capped data limit plan.
To save battery power, Lite also removes the popular Spotify Connect option. This feature allows listeners to stream their favorite tracks on wireless audio devices. The app also lacks the option to stream music with extreme quality audio.
In addition, the search function only provides links to albums and playlists.
Now, the company has rolled out its Lite app around the world.
36 and counting.
According to a new report, YouTube Music and Spotify have both emerged as the most listened to music streaming apps in India.
BofA Merrill Lynch and SimilarWeb found that local music apps – Jio Saavn, Wynk, and market leader Gaana – have declined in terms of usage. Due to poor user experience in competitors’ apps, people on average used YouTube Music for 10 minutes and 8 seconds every day. Spotify came close behind with 10 minutes and 4 seconds. In turn, Gaana had the lowest average daily time spent by users at 5 minutes and 48 seconds. Wynk Music followed with 6 minutes and 2 seconds. Users spent 9 minutes and 23 seconds on JioSaavn.
To capitalize on this gain, Spotify has officially rolled outLite to 36 countries around the world.
In a blog post, the company explained,
“With Spotify Lite, you can easily control your data and storage. It’s only 10 MB, so it’s quick to install and load while offering the same great listening experience that lets you discover, play, and enjoy millions of songs. [The app] also comes with the ability to set a data limit and get a notification when you reach it. This way, you’ll be able to focus on finding your next favorite song—not worrying about data.”
The app also allows users to quickly clear their cache within Lite. This frees up much-needed space on low-end smartphones.
Countries now supported include Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, South Africa, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and India.
Spotify Lite remains available only on Android smartphones and tablets. No word yet on an iOS version.
Credit: Digital News/DigishareAfrica
