Where is Spotify HiFi?

2021 can have been the yr that Apple lastly embraced lossless music streaming and costs for hi-fi listening got here down at Amazon and Tidal. But the largest subscription music service of all, Spotify, appears prone to miss its authentic goal for launching a higher-quality streaming plan.

Spotify HiFi, first introduced all the best way again in February, has but to roll out regardless of the corporate’s early estimate that it might debut “later this year.” At the time, Spotify said HiFi would be available in select markets and that the corporate would “have more details to share soon.”

Over the subsequent 10 months, these particulars by no means got here.

Meanwhile, Spotify’s opponents didn’t wait round. Apple Music rolled out lossless and hi-res playback in June, providing the improved audio high quality at no further cost. Before that shift, companies like Amazon Music Unlimited and Tidal had been demanding an added premium for the function. But on the identical day that Apple introduced its plans for lossless streaming, Amazon mentioned it might ditch the upper subscription value and embody HD high quality as a part of the common premium plan. It’s formally desk stakes now.

There have been occasional indicators of Spotify HiFi all year long; a “HiFi” button may (very briefly) be noticed within the app again in May — full with explainers on utilizing the function. And an onboarding video for HiFi was leaked in August.

As 2021 stretched on, Spotify had rather a lot to say about podcasts however saved mum with reference to HiFi and declined remark at any time when The Verge requested about its standing. Barring a last-minute vacation shock, it appears we’ll be ready till someday in 2022 for Spotify HiFi. Hugely common platforms are inclined to keep away from launching main new options on the tail finish of the yr.

It’s potential that Spotify has had second ideas about launching the function — or not less than is now not in a rush to ship it. You may argue that the corporate doesn’t must trouble with HiFi in any respect. Spotify already enjoys highly effective mindshare with shoppers for its playlist algorithms and consumer expertise; the latest wave of Spotify Wrapped posts throughout social media was one other contemporary reminder of that.

Plus, there’s now not any monetary incentive. Apple has basically compelled Spotify’s hand to supply CD-quality streaming with out wringing extra money from prospects. And if it’s not contributing to the underside line, what’s the purpose? There’s additionally the likelihood that Spotify ran right into a authorized quagmire in making an attempt to replace its music offers for HiFi.

Lossless music is essentially a distinct segment function that’s at odds with how music is usually consumed nowadays. In a world of Bluetooth headphones and earbuds, Apple and Amazon are much more serious about hyping spatial Dolby Atmos audio than higher-bitrate streams that solely shine on costly gear. Even then, some individuals simply can’t distinguish it from the usual, lossy high quality they’ve been listening to for years. Spotify has but to substantiate whether or not it too will supply Atmos tracks — and even hi-res audio that exceeds 16-bit/44.1kHz.

Personally, I nonetheless hope Spotify HiFi does finally launch. There’s a major ecosystem of speaker {hardware} that’s suitable with Spotify Connect, making it simpler and extra handy to take pleasure in the additional constancy. And as we progress additional into the streaming period, it seems like the choice to take pleasure in music at greater high quality ought to be there for many who need it.

The Verge has reached out to Spotify for an replace on the place issues stand with HiFi as 2021 involves a detailed.