Spotify Blames Apple for Loss of iPhone Volume Button Control of Connected Devices

[steve09090]

Proprietary = dumb.

The smarthome thing is one of the reasons I completely bailed on smarthome tech, across the board. That and reliability is in the gutter.

I guess we all live in our own lane. It doesn’t make it dumb, it makes us different. Try not to be so judgemental, especially when we all have different experiences to yours. My home tech is mostly great. But nothing is perfect. I’ve had flat tyres on a car. Does that mean a pneumatic tyre is dumb tech?

Based on your view of proprietary behaviour, these forums should have no rules. The only way technology advances is when markets enable innovation. And markets generally do that based on intellectual property. Which = proprietary behaviours. The Garden of Eden burned down along time ago friend.

 

[lkrupp]

Oh Spotify, if you are so unhappy with Apple’s policies and think their hardware/software is crap, why are you still on the platform? Oh wait, you just need to file another lawsuit claiming Apple is a meany. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

 

[NOATAK]

I agree. It would be a good thing if Spotify left the platform. Nobody cares.

Apple should keep chipping away making their app experience a little less useful. Its driving more and more people to adopt the best experience - Apple Music.

Apple Music and best experience in the same sentence ... You're joking?

Their Mac app is an absolute disaster and far worse than any competitor's app. The last time I used it, not even the simplest things like clicking on the artist in the list view to get to the artist page or drag and drop for a song from an album page (that is not in my library) were possible.

I also can't understand who thought it was a good idea to remove a track from every single playlist of mine, should I decide to remove it from my library. These are just 3 of the issues, but there are many more. The mobile app is at least usable, but I personally use the desktop app far more. And if Apple ever decides to overhaul their Mac app, all users would still have to wait for the next OS update because Apple only ever updates its apps alongside its operating system.

Those things were already the case several years ago, but nothing seems to have changed. Apparently Apple doesn't think it's necessary to take action. I'm really not a fan of Spotify and their podcast garbage, but their app is worlds better than Apple's native one, even though it's an Electron app.

 

[cocky jeremy]

Another day of Spotify whining about Apple. Just go away already.

 

[lkrupp]

Another thing Apple will end up walking back, in the EU at least.

Many of us predicted that the EU will eventually mandate what features a product must have and what it must look like. Developers will then be able to come to the EU and demand Apple add a feature they feel necessary. Looks like you are hoping for that to happen. Innovation through regulation?

 

[cocky jeremy]

Don’t use your dominant market position in one market to disadvantage others competing against you in another market.

It’s not complicated, Apple.

No one is keeping Spotify at a disadvantage. They're just being lazy and want everything handed to them. Literally, just do it. That's all it takes.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Innovation through regulation?

There is little to no innovation happening in the phone space, from any company, Apple included, so that would be a nice change.

 

[skit911]

Because they want a solution that allows them to provide a good experience with more speakers than just HomePods I suppose. A big strength of Spotify Connect has always been that it works with a wide range of devices.

It’s not just for HomePods.

Spotify says users on iPhone will no longer be able to control the volume of connected devices using their physical volume buttons after Apple "discontinued" the technology that enables the functionality. The change impacts Spotify Connect, a feature that allows users to control Spotify playback on various devices like speakers, game consoles, and smart TVs.

The streaming giant claims that the previous method had become unstable, leading to issues such as volume spikes during playback. As a result, iPhone users will now have to resort to an in-app slider to adjust volume, a change that Spotify is calling a "workaround," reports The Verge.

To use the new volume control, iPhone owners will need to tap a notification that appears when they press the physical volume buttons. This notification will prompt them to use the in-app slider. Spotify claims that the new solution will provide "persistent, high-quality" volume control, despite the extra steps involved for users. The change is set to take effect on September 3, but some users are reportedly already seeing it.

Spotify claims that Apple is refusing to grant access to the same technology that allows Apple Music to play on third-party devices. In a continuation of long-held tensions between the two companies, the streaming service has gone as far as suggesting that this could violate the EU's Digital Markets Act, which requires major platforms to open up to third-party services.

"We've made requests to Apple to introduce a similar solution to what they offer users on HomePod and Apple TV for app developers who control non-Apple media devices," Spotify said in its update. "Apple has told us that they require apps to integrate into HomePod in order to access the technology that controls volume on iPhones."

Spotify's volume control workaround for Spotify Connect​

Apple actually offers an API for third-party music services to stream directly to HomePods, but for whatever reason Spotify has chosen not to implement it. Fortunately, iPhone users running iOS 17 can still start an AirPlay session on HomePod using a Siri command (e.g. "Siri, play Fleetwood Mac on Spotify"). It's worth noting that this change only affects Spotify Connect on iOS. Spotify users controlling volume via Bluetooth or AirPlay will not be impacted.

Article Link: Spotify Blames Apple for Loss of iPhone Volume Button Control of Connected Devices

Spotify cries about Apple more than they develop new features for their iOS customers.

Vote with your wallet, Spotify has been garbage since their podcast push anyways.

 

[steve09090]

Apple Music and best experience in the same sentence ... You're joking?

Their Mac app is an absolute disaster and far worse than any competitor's app. The last time I used it, not even the simplest things like clicking on the artist in the list view to get to the artist page or drag and drop for a song from an album page (that is not in my library) were possible.

I also can't understand who thought it was a good idea to remove a track from every single playlist of mine, should I decide to remove it from my library. These are just 3 of the issues, but there are many more. The mobile app is at least usable, but I personally use the desktop app far more. And if Apple ever decides to overhaul their Mac app, all users would still have to wait for the next OS update because Apple only ever updates its apps alongside its operating system.

Those things were already the case several years ago, but nothing seems to have changed. Apparently Apple doesn't think it's necessary to take action. I'm really not a fan of Spotify and their podcast garbage, but their app is worlds better than Apple's native one, even though it's an Electron app.

I have a better experience than what you are experiencing. Does that mean you are right or I am right?

There is little to no innovation happening in the phone space, from any company, Apple included, so that would be a nice change.

You want regulation to be the driver of innovator? You want politicians do design your phones?

It’s not just for HomePods.

Spotify cries about Apple more than they develop new features for their iOS customers.

Vote with your wallet, Spotify has been garbage since their podcast push anyways.

And they still continue to lie about future upgrades like quality. They promised that in February 2021.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

It’s not just for HomePods.

Spotify cries about Apple more than they develop new features for their iOS customers.

Vote with your wallet, Spotify has been garbage since their podcast push anyways.

I'll look at Apple Music once they let separate my personal 25+ year very curated and organized digital music collection from their service.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Many of us predicted that the EU will eventually mandate what features a product must have and what it must look like. Developers will then be able to come to the EU and demand Apple add a feature they feel necessary. Looks like you are hoping for that to happen. Innovation through regulation?

Nah

What i'm hoping is that regulators will step in when some big tech behemoth breaks a third party app for no apparent reason other than to limit a feature that doesn't exist in their own app.

This is a clear case of Apple trying to hurt a competitor because their own service hasn't lived up to expectations.

Meanwhile Apple is still waiting for that 100 million nine years later...

Apple Targeting 100 Million Subscribers for Streaming Music Service

Apple has an ambitious goal to sign up 100 million subscribers for its upcoming streaming music service known as Apple Music, according to The...

www.macrumors.com

 

[vinsalducci]

Spotify has their own API (Spotify Connect) that works with a variety of products, and delivers other/different features than Apples. When a speaker manufacturer supports Spotify Connect, it is certified by Spotify, with no involvement from Apple. I can see why neither company wants to hand that control over to the other, for many reasons.

The fact is, it worked before, Apple made a change, and now it doesn’t work. Yes, this is Apple’s fault. They are trying to bully Spotify into using an Apple API, instead of the API that they have invested years and millions (billions?) of dollars in. It is not about Spotify not enabling a new feature that Apple provides. It is Apple removing a feature that worked before.

Apple's os. Apple's rules. Apple does not strategically need to assimilate into Spotify's API. Spotify needs to assimilate into Apple's.

I work in tech. Believe me, API turf wars are super common. I haven't seen many more clear cut examples of who's API should be used. It's like whining to Microsoft about Pages not working on a Windows machine. That would be up to Apple to make Pages compatible.

Once again, this is not Apple's fault, and it is not Apple's problem.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Getting these vibes.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Apple's os. Apple's rules.

Not really.

 

[surferfb]

This is a clear case of Apple trying to hurt a competitor because their own service hasn't lived up to expectations.

Citation needed.

As far as I can tell, Apple hasn't even changed anything if the MacRumors article is accurate. Apparently the existing API is buggy, so Spotify doesn't want to use it anymore. It's probably buggy because Apple has moved on to supporting the new API, that Spotify doesn't want to support.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Citation needed.

it's my opinion, it doesn't need a citation. If you disagree fine.

Regulators will decide if Apple's practices are fair and reasonable.

 

[InnocenceMyth]

Don’t use your dominant market position in one market to disadvantage others competing against you in another market.

It’s not complicated, Apple.

You so right. It's not complicated. Spotify asked Apple for a "similar solution" as used by other services, and Apple has had that API available for quite some time.

Spotify is wandering around the room with their hands over their eyes complaining it's dark.

 

[Remy149]

With Apple devices and with other devices... and I don't own one, and probably never will, because they suck. I don't own any smart speakers.

My bluetooth speakers work with any device made in the last 20 years. Why can't a Homepod at least have a bluetooth option? The hardware is already onboard, Apple just won't enable it.

Dumb dumb dumb.

If you only want a regular Bluetooth speaker there are menu on the market for you to buy. Why do you think Apple is obligated to make a product they don’t want to make. HomePods are smart speakers. I won’t buy any device that doesn’t offer airplay 2 support but I’m not upset about the stuff that doesn’t have it.

 

[Misterioso]

This has been a limitation for Sonos for over a year as well.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

When is the SpotiPhone hitting the market. 🤣

 

[Remy149]

Apple Music and best experience in the same sentence ... You're joking?

Their Mac app is an absolute disaster and far worse than any competitor's app. The last time I used it, not even the simplest things like clicking on the artist in the list view to get to the artist page or drag and drop for a song from an album page (that is not in my library) were possible.

I also can't understand who thought it was a good idea to remove a track from every single playlist of mine, should I decide to remove it from my library. These are just 3 of the issues, but there are many more. The mobile app is at least usable, but I personally use the desktop app far more. And if Apple ever decides to overhaul their Mac app, all users would still have to wait for the next OS update because Apple only ever updates its apps alongside its operating system.

Those things were already the case several years ago, but nothing seems to have changed. Apparently Apple doesn't think it's necessary to take action. I'm really not a fan of Spotify and their podcast garbage, but their app is worlds better than Apple's native one, even though it's an Electron app.

I’ve tried them all and prefer Apple Music. Just because you dislike something doesn’t mean everyone feels the same way.

 

[Remy149]

I'll look at Apple Music once they let separate my personal 25+ year very curated and organized digital music collection from their service.

My entire reason for using Apple Music is because it perfectly integrated into my preexisting digital music library. I don’t want two separate apps to listen to my music. I have plenty of playlists that are a mix of music from ripped cd’s iTunes purchases and Apple Music tracks. I used to use iTunes Match before Apple Music came out

 

[Grebg]

It's 2024, we're at the pinnacle of technology with spatial computing, AI, device able to predict all our needs and actions. But still, you need training to properly route and control audio within your house. It's crazy.

Both Apple and Spotify are to blame here. Both company are fighting for the big music subscription market that we were force fed with, and user experience was lost on this battlefield. Airplay is just bad, Airplay 2 was introduced 6 years ago and didn't improve since, it has several issues and limitations. Spotify choose to freeze any technical improvement and started to consider iOS itself as a bottleneck for their business. As both a music and tech enthusiast I get why people are sometimes looking back to physical medium, old tech, and good old jack cable in search for simplicity.

As much as really dislike to say this, maybe DMA should look at this, because as consumer we're paying a lot for this battle

 

[ProbablyDylan]

It's pretty wild that Apple tied this feature to their Homepod offerings. Does anyone actually buy those? I don't think I've ever heard anyone (offline) talk about them.

Sonos is also removing this functionality.

It's strange to me that people adamantly defend Apple's position here. It prevents users from having an "it just works" experience if they dare to not use Apple services. Not a good look.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

It's 2024, we're at the pinnacle of technology with spatial computing, AI, device able to predict all our needs and actions. But still, you need training to properly route and control audio within your house. It's crazy.

Both Apple and Spotify are to blame here. Both company are fighting for the big music subscription market that we were force fed with, and user experience was lost on this battlefield. Airplay is just bad, Airplay 2 was introduced 6 years ago and didn't improve since, it has several issues and limitations. Spotify choose to freeze any technical improvement and started to consider iOS itself as a bottleneck for their business. As both a music and tech enthusiast I get why people are sometimes looking back to physical medium, old tech, and good old jack cable in search for simplicity.

As much as really dislike to say this, maybe DMA should look at this, because as consumer we're paying a lot for this battle

Very fair take.