Spotify Connect on the iPhone: hardware volume buttons will be taboo in future
Spotify users who use the iPhone's hardware buttons to adjust the volume will have to change. This will no longer be possible from September.
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From the beginning of September, users of the Spotify music streaming service will no longer be able to use the hardware buttons on the iPhone to change the volume of devices that are connected via Spotify Connect. Spotify has announced this change on a support page and explains that it is working with Apple on a solution.
The reason for the sudden change is that Apple has discontinued the interface previously used by Spotify for control via the hardware volume buttons. Users now have to take a detour via the Spotify app instead. Spotify Connect can be used to adjust the volume of suitable speakers, games consoles, computers, televisions and other devices that play music from Spotify.
New way is much less convenient
Anyone who continues to press the volume up or volume down button in future will receive a notification that refers to the app. There is a slider in the app itself that can be used to adjust the volume. However, this new solution is significantly less convenient than the previous method.
According to "The Verge", a new dispute is apparently brewing between Spotify and Apple in this context, as the music streaming service is accusing the iPhone manufacturer of withholding technology that Apple itself uses in connection with HomePod and Apple TV. In the European Union in particular, Spotify is apparently speculating on sanctions under the Digital Market Act (DMA), as Spotify believes that Apple is violating the requirement to support interoperability.
Spotify does not like Apple's solution
Apparently, Apple is concerned with Spotify's persistent refusal to use developer interfaces (APIs) to use Spotify directly on the HomePod. This would of course also be in Apple's interest in order to make its speaker more attractive. So far, however, Spotify music can only be listened to via AirPlay audio technology, which streams the music from the iPhone to the speaker. With integration into the HomePod, Spotify could probably also use the volume buttons again, according to reports.
Apple has opened up the HomePod to external music services since 2019. Spotify has so far refused. The reason given was that Siri was allegedly not in demand among users.
(mki)
