Spotify Technology

Spotify released a fully native in-car app built on Android Automotive, rolling out to select Audi models including A6 e-tron, Q6 e-tron, A5, Q5 and A6. The app runs directly on vehicle hardware, eliminating phone tethering and allowing Spotify to render its own UI, enable passenger features like Spotify Jam and secondary-display playback, and reduce connection delays. Spotify says the move targets Android-based car systems to avoid fragmentation while remaining committed to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. » More on theverge.com

Spotify says it removed more than 50 million tracks identified as AI-generated “slop” or spam from user recommendations over the past year and updated its recommendation system to highlight human-made music. The company introduced an “AI Persona” badge for creators using AI identities, will not recommend music from those personas, and says editors avoid programming flagged content. Spotify uses listener engagement, upload patterns, metadata and third-party AI detection tools to identify problematic tracks and previously removed over 75 million spam songs last year. » More on theverge.com

Spotify is rolling out Memberships in 34 regions, letting podcasters sell paid perks such as bonus episodes, early access, reduced ads and community features. Creators set pricing and tiers, keep 90% of membership revenue, and get analytics, targeted promotions and free-trial tools. Shows must be hosted on Spotify for Creators or Megaphone and meet minimum consumption and episode thresholds; existing subscription content can be migrated via Open Access. » More on theverge.com