Spotify Tests ‘Offline Mix’ Feature for Offline Listening, While Announcing Workforce Reductions

Spotify founder Daniel Ek tweeted about a new feature called “Offline Mix” that the music streaming app is currently testing. The feature aims to provide users with a playlist that can be accessed even when they are offline, such as during flights or in areas with no internet connection. Ek did not mention a specific timeframe for the rollout of this feature. Currently, Spotify allows users to download playlists for offline listening, which is useful in situations where an active internet connection is unavailable, like when traveling to remote locations or being on a plane.

Spotify’s competitor, YouTube Music, already offers a similar feature called “Offline Mixtape.” Reports suggest that Spotify has been working on its own offline playlist feature since mid-2020, but it remains unclear why it has taken so long to launch.

The introduction of Spotify’s Offline Mix feature is anticipated to be well-received by users once it is officially released. In the meantime, users can continue to download songs for offline listening.

In recent news, Spotify announced that it will be letting go of 200 employees, which accounts for approximately 2% of its workforce. According to a memo from the company’s vice president, Sahar Elhabashi, the affected employees will receive severance packages that include extended healthcare coverage and immediate access to outplacement support, as reported by the Associated Press.