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Spotify Testing 'Stations' App for Quick Access to New Jams

The experimental app, which Spotify quietly released on Tuesday, features a simple interface that aims to make it easy to start streaming whatever type of music you're feeling.

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

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In search of uplifting music to improve your mood, a playlist that will pump you up to work out, or jams to keep you entertained on a long road trip? A new app called Stations by Spotify may be able to help.

The experimental app, which Spotify quietly released on Tuesday and was first noticed by app analytics firm Sensor Tower, features a simple interface that aims to make it easy to start streaming whatever type of music you're feeling at the moment. When you open Stations, it will instantly start pumping the jams, according to the Google Play description.

You can scroll through stations like Classic R&B, Indie, Folk, Acoustic Hits, Feel Good, Workout, Roadtrip, and Jazz to pick whatever you're in the mood for. As you listen, you can like songs to unlock even more stations you might be interested in.

"When you have access to all the music in the world, finding the right thing to play can feel like a challenge," the Google Play listing reads. "With Stations, you can listen immediately, and switching stations is simple and seamless—no searching or typing needed. As you listen, it learns what you like and creates personalized stations that you'll love."

Spotify has offered Pandora-like radio stations since 2012.

Don't get too excited about Stations just yet, though. Variety reports it's "currently incompatible with some key Android devices"—it didn't work for them on a Google Pixel. As of writing, it had been downloaded less than 100 times, suggesting it's a limited test.

Spotify did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment about the new app, but told Variety it's "always testing new products and experiences."

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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