At least the DJ stuff is an optionally usable/ignorable feature that doesn't maliciously create a forced worse experience for users for the purpose of trapping them on the platform longer. Though I completely agree with you that the amount of time and resources they're dedicating to things like that is asinine when you consider the backlog of ideas, bugs, and incomplete features there are. I wouldn't mind them working on new features if:
- the ability to list all of an artists songs (and easily add them all to a playlist) were restored.
- folders could be created and managed from mobile.
- folders could be played from mobile.
- playlists weren't limited to 10,000 tracks after an idea to remove this limit already gained enough votes (see below).
- the queue worked properly.
- the new homepage wasn't absolute trash.
- shuffle worked correctly instead of being yet another piece of algorithmic trash trying to maximize user engagement.
- adding artists/albums/playlists as shortcuts on the launcher wasn't removed on Android.
- etc.
I could literally go on for weeks.
Oh, and don't you dare tell me to go submit an Idea. As I've said in a previous comment elsewhere:
The Idea Exchange is a joke at best and a malicious tool that's used to pacify users by giving them an illusion of control at worst, and either way a pathetic substitute for a proper issue/feature request tracker. Spotify will do what they want.
Example: an idea was submitted to remove the track limit on playlists. The person submitting the idea specifically stated that the limit should be removed on all playlists, including—but not limited to—what was then called the "Songs" playlist (now called "Liked Songs") within your "Collection" (now your "Library"—this Idea is from 2014 and terminology has changed since). It gained enough votes within the required time frame to be implemented. Then, rather than implementing the actual idea which was submitted and voted for (removing all playlist caps), Spotify "implemented" the idea by removing the Liked Songs cap (playlists are still locked to 10,000 but you can like as many songs as you'd like now), closed the idea, and now demands that if you want the playlist cap removed, you should open another idea and hope it gets enough votes within their narrow time frame again, despite the fact that their users have already voted and clearly stated that they want this.
If you want a real treat, go browse the closed Ideas. Starting from page two, you'll see Idea after Idea requesting that the old home page UI be restored. They're all closed because of a nonsensical rule that "Requests for complete roll-backs are not allowed." If you don't want users requesting complete roll-backs, then don't force atrocious changes down our throats when the initial feedback was clearly negative. A good number of those Ideas even specifically ask that the change not be reverted completely, but that users are given the option to choose which UI they want to use. All those are closed for the same reason too, despite not asking for complete roll-backs.
Spotify will keep doing whatever they want. If you want to participate in the illusion of control they give you, go right on ahead.
Edit: In case it wasn't clear, like 90% of those "you"s were directed at the general reader, not you specifically, @jmatcuhi.
Staff / Moderator/ 3 years ago in Social & Random