Spotify could let you pick specific songs with new version of free music streaming app
Facing increased competition from Apple Music, Spotify is banking on an overhauled free service to maintain its position as the world's number one music streaming platform
SPOTIFY is set to launch a new free music streaming service within weeks that will be more like its premium tier.
The upgrade will give users more control over tracks and quick access to playlists on mobile, according to sources cited by .
Currently, Spotify is split in two: there's an ad-free option that costs £9.99 per month, which helps the firm rake in over 90 per cent of its £3.56billion yearly revenue, and a free version that's used by the majority of listeners.
Unlike paid users, those on the free service can't listen to every song in Spotify's library on-demand, but they can access its popular playlists and songs on shuffle.
This model has worked a charm, helping Spotify become the biggest streaming service in the world, with 157million users (71million of whom fork out for its premium tier).
And the company expects to reach 200million users by the end of the year.
But it's also locked in a heated battle for ear drums against rivals Apple Music, Google's YouTube, and Amazon Music Unlimited.
Apple's music streaming service is set to Spotify in the US this year.
Fresh off its public listing on the stock exchange, Spotify is under pressure from investors to maintain its lead – and an overhauled free service could do the trick.
The company has also sent out invites to an April 24 event, sparking talk that something big is on the way.
Spotify could also use the occasion to launch a rumoured smart speaker in the vein of Apple's Homepod.
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Reports emerged in February claiming that the company was ready to start manufacturing the audio device.
Do you think Spotify's free service is in need of a tune-up? Let us know in the comments.
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