This is starting to get out of hand. Spotify, easily the largest music streamer, which recently debuted new mixing tools to the excitement of… someone (probably), just announced something new. “Spotify Hifi?” you might be asking yourself, a hint of manic desperation in your voice. Uh, no. It’s adding direct messages, because why not?
Spotify approves this message
The next question on your lips might be “why?” That’s a valid question, seeing as how sending a link to your similarly-minded music mates works just as well, if not better. It’ll even let you make the link you send look all pretty — which typically goes unnoticed as they roast your music selection. Back to direct messages.
“Spotify users have told us they want a dedicated space within the app to share songs, podcasts, or audiobooks they’re excited about with friends and family, and an easy way to keep track of recommendations,” the streamer said. “Our goal is to give users what they want and make those moments of connection more seamless and streamlined in the Spotify app.”
Read More: Spotify is hiking Premium prices in South Africa (again)
Chats are one-on-one (for now), and you can start one from inside the app, though that functionality has yet to hit Stuff’s devices, even one enrolled in the beta. If you do have the feature, you can access it under a new ‘Messages’ tab when clicking your profile picture in the top left. It appears as though you can only start a chat with those you’ve shared music with before — or those who share a playlist, Jam or Blend with you already.
It’s still unclear whether Messages will be available locally. Spotify mentions that both free and Premium users will receive the ‘Messages’ update beginning this week, but only in “select markets.” Unfortunately, it doesn’t say which those are. We guess we’ll know if South Africa has made the cut or not by the end of this week.
