Spotify's new premium plan revealed, is high-quality streaming finally coming?

Author

Technology Insights Daily
February 22, 2025

10x Your Outbound With Our AI BDR

Scaling fast but need more support? Our AI BDR Ava enables you to grow your team without increasing headcount.

Ava operates within the Artisan platform, which consolidates every tool you need for outbound:

  • 300M+ High-Quality B2B Prospects, including E-Commerce and Local Business Leads

  • Automated Lead Enrichment With 10+ Data Sources

  • Full Email Deliverability Management

  • Multi-Channel Outreach Across Email & LinkedIn

  • Human-Level Personalization

Welcome to Technology Insights Daily! We work hard to bring you the latest tech updates, and your support keeps us going. A great way to help is by checking out our amazing sponsors—they make this newsletter possible! Click on the links above to explore exclusive offers and innovations from our partners. Let’s get started!

Spotify is set to introduce a new premium subscription tier called "Music Pro" later this year, targeting music enthusiasts seeking enhanced features. This service will be priced at an additional $6 per month, bringing the total to $18 monthly. Subscribers can expect:

  • High-Quality Audio: Access to higher-fidelity audio streaming, addressing user demand for superior sound quality.

  • Remixing Tools: Features powered by artificial intelligence to remix songs, offering a personalized listening experience.

  • Concert Ticket Access: Early access to concert tickets, connecting superfans with their favorite artists.

This initiative follows Spotify's recent multi-year licensing agreements with Universal Music and Warner Music, ensuring a diverse and extensive music library for subscribers.

The introduction of Music Pro aligns with Spotify's strategy to diversify revenue streams and enhance its premium offerings, positioning itself competitively against services like Apple Music and Amazon Music, which already provide high-quality audio in their standard plans

Apple is reportedly planning significant design changes for the iPhone 17 series, particularly the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Air models. Leaks suggest that the iPhone 17 Pro will feature a horizontal camera bar, housing three rear cameras arranged in a triangular layout. This design is reminiscent of Google's Pixel series, indicating a potential shift in Apple's aesthetic direction.

In contrast, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to adopt a slim profile, measuring approximately 5.5mm at its thinnest point, making it the slimmest iPhone to date. This model is anticipated to feature a horizontal camera bar with a single rear camera, LED flash, and microphone, aligning with the design language of the Pixel series.

These design changes aim to modernize the iPhone lineup and may influence consumer preferences. However, it's important to note that these details are based on leaks and rumors, and the final designs may differ upon official release.

Recent studies have raised concerns about the potential impact of prolonged use of noise-canceling headphones on auditory processing abilities. Audiologists warn that excessive use of these devices may impair the brain's natural capacity to process ambient sounds, potentially leading to conditions such as Auditory Processing Disorder (APD).

Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder (APD):

APD is a neurological condition where the brain has difficulty interpreting sounds, despite normal hearing. Individuals with APD may struggle to understand speech in noisy environments, follow verbal instructions, or identify the direction of sounds.

Noise-canceling headphones work by reducing ambient noise, which can be beneficial in noisy environments. However, experts suggest that prolonged use, especially during critical developmental years, may hinder the brain's ability to process everyday sounds effectively. This over-reliance on controlled auditory input might delay the development of essential listening skills.

Recommendations for Safe Use:

  • Moderation: Limit the duration of noise-canceling headphone use, especially among young individuals.

  • Breaks: Take regular breaks to allow the brain to process natural sounds.

  • Awareness: Be mindful of the volume levels and duration of headphone use to prevent auditory fatigue.

While noise-canceling headphones offer significant benefits, it's crucial to use them judiciously to maintain healthy auditory processing abilities.

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, has unveiled Grok 3, a new AI model developed using an extensive computational infrastructure. Grok 3 was trained on a custom-built data center named 'Colossus,' equipped with 200,000 NVIDIA H100 GPUs, marking a significant advancement in AI capabilities.

Musk claims that Grok 3 outperforms leading AI models, including OpenAI's GPT-4o and DeepSeek's V3, in areas such as mathematics, science, and coding. The model introduces advanced reasoning features, allowing it to handle complex questions by breaking them into smaller tasks. Users can engage with these capabilities through two modes: "Think," which displays step-by-step reasoning, and "Big Brain," designed for more demanding tasks.

Grok 3 is available to Premium+ subscribers of X (formerly Twitter), with a new SuperGrok subscription tier offering advanced features. The chatbot can generate text and images, providing a comprehensive AI experience.

This development positions xAI as a formidable competitor in the AI landscape, challenging established players like OpenAI and Google. The substantial investment in computational resources underscores Musk's commitment to advancing AI technology.

Apple is reportedly planning significant design changes for the iPhone 17 series, particularly concerning the frame materials of its models. Analyst Jeff Pu suggests that the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature aluminum frames, marking a shift from the titanium frames used in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 Pro models. This change is speculated to be driven by environmental considerations, as aluminum generally has a lower carbon footprint compared to titanium.

In contrast, the rumored iPhone 17 Air is expected to retain a titanium frame, potentially due to its thinner design, which may benefit from the strength and durability that titanium offers.

These design modifications aim to balance environmental sustainability with product durability and aesthetics. The transition back to aluminum for the Pro models may result in a lighter device, but it could also affect the premium feel associated with the Pro lineup. Conversely, maintaining a titanium frame for the Air model could enhance its structural integrity, especially given its anticipated slim profile.

As these are still rumors, the final design choices will be confirmed upon the official release of the iPhone 17 series.

That’s a wrap for today! Stay informed and ahead—catch us tomorrow for more insights. Share & subscribe at 🔗 www.technologyinsightsdaily.com. 🚀