It enables users to stream content to speakers over Wi-Fi connections

Nov 26, 2013 10:04 GMT  ·  By

Spotify has made available for download a new flavor of its Android mobile client, one that brings along a new, highly appealing feature, namely Spotify Connect.

Following the update, owners of devices running under Google’s mobile operating system will be able to stream music to their Connect-enabled speakers. The feature was made available for iOS devices a few months ago, but Android handsets are catching up.

Furthermore, Spotify Connect will provide users with the possibility to control the music from their mobile devices, the available release notes for the new app iteration unveil.

With Spotify Connect on their handsets, users will be able to stream music over a Wi-Fi connection to compatible speakers. For the time being, the system will not allow users to send content to multiple devices, it seems.

However, as Poket-lint notes, users will need a Premium account to enjoy the feature. Furthermore, they should know that only streaming content is supported, and no local MP3 files.

The benefits of using Spotify Connect include the fact that the feature would work at a longer range, given that it takes advantage of a Wi-Fi connection.

The alternative is to use Bluetooth speakers, though they will need to be close to the phone to work. Furthermore, Spotify Connect also eliminates the need to pair the handset with the speakers.

The latest flavor of Spotify for Android also packs a variety of bug fixes inside, resolving some “nasty” issues, as the development team notes.

However, some problems haven’t been fixed as of now, including an issue with Android 4.4 KitKat devices, which cannot load images properly. According to the team, this is being looked into, and a fix might arrive soon.

In case you have a compatible speaker and a Premium Spotify account and you would like to take Spotify Connect for a spin, head over to the Google Play store to download the latest application release. Just keep in mind that the service is not available in all markets out there.