What you need to know
- Spotify client Xpotify updated to v1.6.
- Now supports Live Tiles and customization options.
- Also included are "tablet mode improvements".
Seemingly to prove that Spotify proper can't make a good app for Windows 10, the developer behind Xpotify has released version 1.6 of the free client.
This latest update brings support for Live Tiles with user customization based on preference. While a small update it's important if only to point out that the official Spotify app for Windows 10 does not have a Live Tile (well, a useful one). Based on the cross-platform technology of Electron, the Windows 10 app for Spotify works but tends to lack many Windows 10 features including Fluent Design, or just loading quickly.
Xpotify is made by a single developer named Mahdi Ghiasi and it has quickly become one of our most recommended apps for music fans. The app differs from the official Spotify in that it runs mostly on Spotify's website as it's a Progressive Web App (PWA) with added Universal Windows Platform (UWP) elements like XAML for that striking blurred elements and navigation pane. For fans of the defunct Groove serivce, it feels like a blend between it and Spotify.
Additional features like mini-mode, Cortana commands, and light and dark themes, combined with this recent Live Tile update make it even more enticing.
Related: PWAs - What they are, and what they mean for Microsoft
As to why Spotify couldn't have just made this app, we have no idea. There is one significant downside though, which is web streaming quality, which is the basis of Xpotify. Currently, it is limited to just to 128kbit/s for free users or 256kbit/s for premium subscribers. That compares negatively to the official client's ability to stream at 160kbit/s for free and 320kbit/s for paying members. Whether that matters to you is a personal preference often dependent on your speaker or headphone setup. Of course, Spotify could probably fix this themselves if they chose.
For more info on Xpotify, you can read our full review. For existing fans, consider dropping $2.99 on the Pro version of the app, which helps support the developer.
An attractive and functional way to enjoy Spotify
Xpotify allows you to stream all of your Spotify music and is packed with features including Compact Overlay, Media Bar support, and pinning playlists to the Start Menu.
