Spotify is testing a new TikTok-style video feed on its iOS beta app, which aims to display videos in full screen while playing songs. The feature was first seen by Chris Messina, who posted a short video clip to his feed in action.
When available, the video feed can be accessed in a new fourth tab in the navigation bar called Discover. Individual tracks can be viewed as you scroll through the feed, and there’s also a three-dot menu icon to show options for each song.
Spotify confirmed the test in a statement, but declined to comment on when there might be a broader application. “At Spotify, we routinely run a series of tests in an effort to improve our user experience,” a company spokesperson said. “Some of these tests end up opening a path for broader user experience and others as an important learning experience. We don’t have more news to share right now.”
OMG for the first time in when(?), Tweet embed Added a fourth icon to the toolbar: Discover! #NewSpotify pic.twitter.com/XQL2jpkXYq
– Messina.eth (@chrismessina) November 24, 2021
The test came when Netflix began testing a similar interface on its iOS app to help users discover new content to watch. A recent “Kids Clips” feature features the content of their kids’ shows and tracks the launch in the “Fast Laughs” feed earlier this year. With the increasing hours of TikTok sharing, even non-social media platforms are becoming interested in using their format to help users join their own services.
The Discover feed appears to be based on Spotify’s existing Canvas feature, where artists can play videos along with their music on the service. The videos that appear as part of the Discover feed appear to be the same as those used in Canvas.
Source: Take Crunch
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