Spotify is rolling out another new feature - but not the one everyone wants

We’re still waiting on Spotify HiFi

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

The latest Spotify feature has begun its testing phase and is now rolling out to a limited number of users. In theory, it should help its listeners to greatly expand their musical horizons in a similar way to a number of other features it’s rolled out over the past few months.

WhatHifi reportsthat the new Featured Curators system recommends user playlists curated by popularSpotifyinfluencers, handpicked by the company as users who’ve either created popular public playlists, have large followings already, or who have unique, interesting stories to tell through the music that populates their playlists.

It’s yet another welcome extension of Spotify’s already excellent playlist features, and while it remains to be seen whether or not it’ll help a majority of users find new music to love, it’s at the very least an interesting way of shining a spotlight on songs and albums recommended by notable music lovers.

Another feather in Spotify’s cap?

Spotify has been admirably consistent in finding creative ways to present its monolithic library of music and podcasts to its subscribers.Spotify Blend recently got a huge upgrade, for example, allowing listeners to co-create playlists with up to 10 friends - or their favorite artists - instead of just one other person.

Elsewhere, Spotify rebranded its Greenroom feature asSpotify Live, and integrated it into the main app, letting listeners join live conversations with popular content creators and artists, not dissimilar to theTwitter Spacesfeature found on the ever-popular social media giant.

Spotify has also ramped up itspodcastpresence this year, greatly expanding its repertoire bybuying out Chartable and Podsights- two massive podcast marketing and analytics firms. In fact, that may have been the spark that setYouTube’s sights on improving its own podcast game.

With all that said, though, subscribers will no doubt be wondering where the elusiveSpotify HiFiis amidst the expansion of all these already established features.The company insiststhat the feature is still coming, but difficulties with licensing have delayed it indefinitely.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

Meanwhile, rival platforms likeApple MusicandAmazon Music HDhave taken thehi-res audioball and ran with it, both offering huge collections of music that support the premium feature.AppleMusic, in particular, also offersSpatial Audioat no additional cost, which is likely a huge reason as to why its subscriber numbers are speedily gaining on Spotify’s.

While we’re sure Spotify HiFi will launch eventually (hopefully before the end of the year), we can understand the frustration listeners may feel in its continued absence. Sure, additions like Featured Curators are nice, but arguably not at the top of the list when it comes to the most requested Spotify features like hi-res audio.

Rhys is TRG’s Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.

Spotify Wrapped 2024 – our release date predictions plus what to expect

Spotify finally lets you create playlist art – and it’s already my favorite new feature since Daylists

iStorage Group acquires Kanguru Solutions as it looks to expand security offering