Gearfuse Technology, Science, Culture & More
Beginning September 3, iPhone users will not adjust the volume with physical buttons to use the application in Spotify Connect. This development caught the attention of many music lovers and users of the Spotify application, most especially those that use the Spotify Connect option to play music from devices such as smart speakers, gaming devices, smart TVs, and computers respectively.
As it is said on the help page from Spotify, Apple has “dropped” the feature allowing iPhone holders to control the Spotify volume using the physical buttons. But Apple’s response to the reasons behind this particular decision is rather vague.
What Is Spotify Connect, and How Does This Impact Users?
Spotify Connect is a feature that lets listeners control Spotify on other devices by using their phone to control the app, buy Spotify streams. Most importantly, this function has been an easier way of controlling the music playbacks of devices other than, apple products, say game or smart speakers.
At this point, however, whenever an iPhone user presses the physical volume buttons on the phone while on Spotify app using Spotify Connect, there is a notification on the app. Instead of making it possible to re-adjust the volume by such means, some pop out will read that make use of the volume slider incorporated in the Spotify app.
Spotify and Apple: An Ongoing Dispute
It is not only a technical question for the users, but also exemplifies the existing estrangement between the two companies. Spotify has been mad at Apple’s Policies for ages now, who have been said to be engaged in monopolistic pursuits. Specifically, at the beginning of this year in March the European Union imposed a fine of 2 billion euros on Apple after the complaint of Spotify accusing Apple of trying to prevent competitors’ music applications on their devices. The sum of money was still in the top three European fines to date, and this particular one was applied to Apple for the first time.
Rutgers’ irrational attitude stems from frustration in Apple’s vertical integration where Apple Music is given preferential treatment to other music apps including Spotify. Therefore, Spotify has demanded that Apple allow possible applications on the Apple HomePod and TV.
So How Does This Affect Spotify Users Specifically?
Though it may appear optional, adjusting the master volume is overbearing for those who use a working Spotify Connect for regular purposes. Android tablets and smartphones fully support this feature which enables the control of music through more than one device while using the services of the application, and the lack of physical button control on the iPhones which is probably going to be there in the future may prevent this less convenient.
However, even with all the options available, a giant focus group of users will always consider the enumeration of the ecosystems to be quite good, giving them opportunities for globally endorsing their music. Even more so, artists were easy targeting desperate new audiences and growing certain following because of the help of Spotify as a marketing tool. As a result, this allows musicians and other creators to purchase streams on Spotify to promote themselves and get more followers.
