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Spotify Free allows some users to play songs on-demand, not just shuffle

Spotify Free has started letting some users play songs on-demand in select playlists, it has been reported.

The music app’s ad-supported free service usually only allows users to listen to playlists in shuffle mode − you can’t choose which individual tracks you want to listen to, and you only have a limited number of skips.

Related: Best music streaming service

That’s now changed, at least for a select few users, according to a report from The Verge. The on-demand option appears to only be available on certain playlists − others are still shuffle-only.

The company is holding a launch event on April 24, at which it’s expected to officially introduce the changes. “We’ve got news for you,” an invitation to the event reads. “Hear what’s next for our mobile app.”

The firm had been rumoured to be planning the launch of new hardware, including a smart speaker, at the event too. However, it looks like the app will be taking centre-stage.

On-demand functionality is something Premium users already pay for, and Spotify will surely have to make big improvements to its top tier service too, to keep existing subscribers sweet, and to tempt people to upgrade.

Some UI changes also appear to be planned. Spotify looks like it’s going to drop Browse and Radio from the navigation bar that runs along the bottom of the app, and add a Premium button to fill the gap.

What improvements would you like to see in Spotify Premium? Share your ideas @TrustedReviews.

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