Spotify Announces Downloads and Offline Playback on Apple Watch for Premium Subscribers

[Td1970]

I've used all the major services and my opinion is it is better than the other services in many ways, though worse in some. And "Why would a non Apple user go with Apple Music" is the most foolish question I've heard all day. It's on Android and many Android users use it.

Can you source those number of ”many users” of android users that use AM. I’ll be waiting.

 

[Agit21]

Finally! Good news.

 

[mooger83]

Where is the ‘96 kbps’ figure coming from? I don’t see that in the linked Spotify announcement. Thats really low quality. I’d be very surprised if that’s true.

 

[Dualica 01]

I don't see anything either. I updated everything and rebooted both my iPhone and Watch. Nothing shows. Go figure.

It says on the spotify page: will be rolling out worldwide over the next few weeks 😖

 

[Novius89]

Damnit, switched to Apple Music in October last year. But I miss the interface and music suggestions from Spotify. Oh well, I finally found my way in Apple Music, and Apple Music is actually suggesting better things when time progresses……… too late spotify…….. too late

 

[Td1970]

I've used all the major services and my opinion is it is better than the other services in many ways, though worse in some. And "Why would a non Apple user go with Apple Music" is the most foolish question I've heard all day. It's on Android and many Android users use it.

So you can’t and were just making up things. Cool.

making the most foolish post of the day?

 

[chrisone]

Where is the ‘96 kbps’ figure coming from? I don’t see that in the linked Spotify announcement. Thats really low quality. I’d be very surprised if that’s true.

I also don’t know where that’s from. Does anyone have a link? I checked the Spotify news on this and it was not mentioned there

edit: I see it’s reported also elsewhere, but I don’t find the source official from Spotify. Also, do we actually know the bitrate Apple Music uses on the Watch? Just wonder if this is a big issue or not really.

 

[GreyOS]

Where is the ‘96 kbps’ figure coming from? I don’t see that in the linked Spotify announcement. Thats really low quality. I’d be very surprised if that’s true.

I also don’t know where that’s from. Does anyone have a link? I checked the Spotify news on this and it was not mentioned there

edit: I see it’s reported also elsewhere, but I don’t find the source official from Spotify. Also, do we actually know the bitrate Apple Music uses on the Watch? Just wonder if this is a big issue or not really.

96kbps is what Spotify classify as ‘normal’ quality

Low: 24kbps
Normal: 96kbps
High: 160kbps
Very high: 320kbps

Audio quality - Spotify

support.spotify.com

I believe normal is the default on mobile so to me it would not be surprising. It’s worth bearing in mind that the codec they use is probably much better than the mp3s I remember from 20 years ago. 96kbps is fine.

 

[chrisone]

96kbps is what Spotify classify as ‘normal’ quality

Low: 24kbps
Normal: 96kbps
High: 160kbps
Very high: 320kbps

Audio quality - Spotify

support.spotify.com

I believe normal is the default on mobile so to me it would not be surprising. It’s worth bearing in mind that the codec they use is probably much better than the mp3s I remember from 20 years ago. 96kbps is fine.

Thanks for this, very helpful!

 

[-Maxim-]

Finally! Man, I've been waiting years for that. One of the reasons why I haven't bought a watch for many years. I recently got a S3 watch used for a few bucks from a friend and I had to use the ****** Apple podcast app to sync some DJ mix for my workout.

 

[B/D]

What quality does Apple Music use when they download to the Apple Watch?

I suppose if it was 128k or 256k then people would complain that they can't fit very many songs on the very limited memory in Apple Watch?

96kbps HE-AAC.

 

[joecomo]

Does this work for anyone?

I don't get the option to download anything to the watch.
Do they really have this feature?
Their website says nothing about it.

The only specific reason for this not working, that I could think of
is, that I have a family premium account - so if anyone with
Family Premium could confirm it works for them, that would be appreciated.

 

[GreyOS]

Does this work for anyone?

I don't get the option to download anything to the watch.
Do they really have this feature?
Their website says nothing about it.

The only specific reason for this not working, that I could think of
is, that I have a family premium account - so if anyone with
Family Premium could confirm it works for them, that would be appreciated.

Link to Spotify announcement is in main article.

It’s the normal crap where they announce a feature and roll it out slowly. I don’t know anyone who actually has the feature yet. Very frustrating.

 

[joecomo]

Link to Spotify announcement is in main article.

It’s the normal crap where they announce a feature and roll it out slowly. I don’t know anyone who actually has the feature yet. Very frustrating.

Yes - it really is. I guess they roll-out their new astrology social feature in a jiffy however …

 

[Jakbe12]

Cmon roll out it!!

 

[-Maxim-]

I still don't see that feature in my spotify app. Newest updates installed both iOS and watchOS and of course spotify. What's taking so long?

 

[GreyOS]

Feel like Spotify announced this feature at a time when Apple Music was in the press a lot with new features like spatial audio, to keep people with Spotify, buying themselves some time to actually write the code to deliver the feature lol

 

[bumbo]

Feel like Spotify announced this feature at a time when Apple Music was in the press a lot with new features like spatial audio, to keep people with Spotify, buying themselves some time to actually write the code to deliver the feature lol

I was thinking the same thing! Announcing they've done it but it's a 'server-side deployment' to keep people paying.

 

[Jamooche]

I still don't see that feature in my spotify app. Newest updates installed both iOS and watchOS and of course spotify. What's taking so long?

Same here...just updated the app and installed Spotify on my watch. No option to download to Apple Watch in the ... menu on any album or playlist.

 

[imnotthewalrus]

Anyone experiencing erratic speed behaviors (songs speeding up and slowing down) using iOS 15 Beta (2) and watchOS 8 Beta?

 

[fadhilfirdausi]

I've just got this feature today. I‘ve been waiting this feature since I got my S5 back in the first week of june, now one month later I got this feature and so happy with it

 

[Jamooche]

I've just got this feature today. I‘ve been waiting this feature since I got my S5 back in the first week of june, now one month later I got this feature and so happy with it

How long did it take to download the songs? I finally got this feature last night and have been trying to download all day. Doesn’t go beyond saying downloading 1 of X. Thanks!

 

[One2Grift]

I cannot believe it took them this long to implement this.

It is odd given the propagation of the AW. Also, timing means a lot in the stream service industry. Delay equals more people getting used to relying on an alternate service.
But this is good anyway. If nothing else it keeps competition up making all players have to try better.

 

[One2Grift]

Can you source those number of ”many users” of android users that use AM. I’ll be waiting.

This doesn't answer the question but a general fyi on music streaming as of the end of 2020.

55 million Amazon Music (unknown how many are free trial, how many are full paid subs)
72 million Amazon Music (unknown how many are free trials)
138 million Spotify (unknown how many are free trials or if this includes "freemium")

Apple Music is said to be up to 8% of their Services revenue.

 

[Jamooche]

Update - I deleted the app from the watch and re-installed it. Songs are now downloading very very slowly. At 5 of 11 after 20 minutes. Next step will be to see if they play after it finishes.