[Android] Android Widget

[nicb19]

Having a home screen widget for Android would be really nice. All other media players have one on Android so it'd be great to see that in Spotify too. It'd make things so much easier to just be able control to Spotify from your home screen instead of swiping down for the notification bar or opening the app. It's really simple functionality so please can you add it.

[mscazaresb]

I reverted to an old version of Spotify, please put my payment on "Not now" status until you bring the widget back. Moronic what you have done to say the least.

[RobAPulver]

I WILL be leaving Spotify for one of the many other similar vendors unless they re-install an Android Widget.  Not just because I really miss having a Spotify Widget but also because of the way this functionality was removed with no apparent or visible consultation.

[wildwoodashes]

This is a seriously user hostile move Spotify. Why the push to keep removing features that users actually use? Seriously considering moving to Google Play Music or Amazon Music Unlimited.

[user-removed]

And at the same time they're already thinking of hiking up prices:

https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/spotify-to-test-subscription-price-hike-in-scandinavia-1203303...

[WaveyRaven]

I'm no longer surprised by Spotify making stupid decisions, so I just cancelled my Premium and uninstalled the app. 

Edit: it seems Spotify are forcing people to open the app in order to show "announcements" (paid ads promoting specific content). They will never restore the widget, because it is a deliberate part of their business model to make the user experience worse. Scumbag move.

[jessevd]

I'm normally not one to reply on this, but this really bothers me. The ignorance of Spotify, it's just a big middle finger to paying users! 

[aleluida]

This WidgetGate has been totally bonkers.

The widely used functionality is removed, without any warning or explanation (not even a reason!!!)

People complains, so "a new idea" is published (as new) for people to vote, just to recover this basic functionality.

After a couple days it becomes a top10 "idea"!

Totally crazy, please bring this back.

[hendersj]

@updatedmike

OK, you've made your point. Making it a dozen or more times isn't really
adding anything.

[GrawlixL]

So, all things considered, it looks like Spotify is absolutely **bleep**.

First, they're a publicly traded company. Second, they're "pure play," meaning they offer only one service or product that they specialize in. Third, the market is at or near saturation, with lots of competitors.

Taken all together, that means Spotify is obligated to maximize "shareholder value," which almost always is synonymous with profit and stock value. They have no other products or services to fall back on, just Spotify. Finally, they can't really grow as much as they want because there aren't enough potential customers out there, and there are a ton of competitors out there ready to snap them up. There was a news article recently that Spotify's rate of growth is already failing to meet expectations.

So, Spotify's only option is to squeeze more value out of what they already have. Diversify what people listen to, so they have to pay fewer royalties to big artists and can strike a better deal with smaller ones if they can promise lots of plays. Force the users to interface with the app instead of using the widget, so you can promote advertisements. Try to create an ecosystem so that customers are locked into the service. See if you can get away with jacking up prices. Heck, why not streamline the app so that it's cheaper to maintain, so you don't need quite as many developers? Heck, they definitely already cut corners on the social media and community management teams.

Other companies are private, so they don't have to worry about growth so much as profit. Apple is an exception since it's publicly traded, but it has other products and services—they don't need to aggressively grow Apple Music specificly, it can just be an extra revenue source and a way to increase the value of the Apple ecosystem as a whole.

Spotify had a good thing going, but is crashing into a wall.

Of course, this is all speculation. Sure would be nice if we could actually hear something meaningful from Spotify to set the record straight, though.

[Sid14]

I don't want to go through the effort of switching to another music service, so for the time being I will just side load an older version of the Spotify App that includes the widget (8.5.12.758). I don't want to stay on an old app forever though, so I expect to slowly migrate over to youtube music if this feature doesn't get added back.