The feature gives listeners a way to save short sections from podcasts and send them to friends or post them on social media without searching through an entire episode.

Spotify said the rollout has started globally for both free and Premium users on mobile devices, while support for more shows will expand gradually.

Users will now see a scissors icon in the “Now Playing” screen while listening to supported podcasts. Once tapped, the tool allows them to capture a segment, trim it, preview it and either save or share it immediately.

Spotify also explained that listeners can share a full episode, chapter, timestamp or a clip through the updated sharing menu. Saved clips will also appear in a dedicated section inside the user’s library and can be added to podcast playlists.

The feature builds on the growth it has already seen with podcast Chapters, which launched earlier this year. According to Spotify, Chapters are now being saved and added to playlists more than two million times every month.

The update also shows how podcasts are becoming a bigger source of news, interviews and online discussions, especially in the technology industry where company executives appear on podcasts instead of traditional interviews.

Spotify believes clips could help podcast creators attract new listeners by making key moments easier to discover and circulate online. The company said early testing showed that podcast saving activity increased when clips were enabled.

In a statement announcing the launch, Spotify said: “Whether it’s a piece of advice that reframes how you think, a conversation that makes you laugh, or a segment you know a friend needs to hear, those moments are often what turns a casual listener into a devoted fan.”

“With clips, listeners can now capture, revisit, and share the exact moments from podcasts that resonate most, without having to search through an entire episode to find them,” the company added:

Spotify also noted that users can access the feature by tapping the scissors icon while listening, trimming the audio segment they want, then choosing to save or share it through the app’s sharing options.

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The shutdown took effect on May 26, 2026, and from that point, players could no longer access online multiplayer. Destruction Points, the game’s premium currency, stopped being sold, while the title also disappeared from the PlayStation Store.

Single-player content is not gone yet, as Sony has confirmed that owners can still access offline and Arcade modes until 25 November 2026 at 15:00 UTC.

After that date, full server support ends. Only offline Arcade challenges will remain, and even those may not work smoothly once servers go down completely.

Sony linked the multiplayer shutdown to “ongoing technical issues.” In the notice describing how services had already been taken offline before the final closure window, it was confirmed that remaining currency can still be used until November 2026.

Sony launched Destruction AllStars with high expectations, first positioned as a PlayStation 5 launch title in 2020, then delayed it to February 2021.

When it finally arrived, it moved from a full-priced release to a PlayStation Plus offering for a limited period, before settling at a lower price point later on.

Lucid Games developed the title, and Sony published it as a first-party project. The studio had previously worked on Geometry Wars and support work on Sea of Thieves. Despite that backing, the game found it difficult to hold attention after launch.

Reviews were mixed. It scored 62 on Metacritic, while user ratings fell below average. Many players criticised the limited content and heavy focus on in-game purchases.

The online base dropped within months, and reports suggested losses of nearly 80% early on. Sony tried to stabilise the game with bots in multiplayer and added only one content season in May 2021.

The shutdown also reveals Sony’s struggles in live-service gaming. Other projects have already faced similar outcomes, including Concord, which closed shortly after launch, and a cancelled The Last of Us multiplayer project that never reached release.

For players still holding trophies, some achievements tied to multiplayer will now be impossible to unlock. Refunds for unused currency are not being issued, although players can still spend remaining Destruction Points until the November cutoff.

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The streaming company said on Tuesday that audiobook users in supported markets will now have access to more than 650 narrated long-form articles in English.

The articles come from publications including Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, Vogue, Variety, Vanity Fair, Billboard and WIRED.

Spotify said the narrated articles are produced by its in-house audiobooks team and each one runs for less than two hours. Premium subscribers can listen through their monthly audiobook allowance, while free users can buy individual articles for $1.99.

The company is expanding the range of content on its platform as competition grows across audio streaming, podcasts and AI-generated music services.

Competitors in the space include YouTube and Netflix, while AI music startups such as Udio and Suno have also entered the market.

Spotify co-chief executive Alex Norström recently said the company now accounts for about 20% of the US audiobooks market.

The new feature is designed to give listeners shorter audio content that can lead them towards longer audiobook listening over time.

“With Articles, we’re introducing long-form journalism in audio as a natural extension of the music, podcasts, and audiobooks people already come to Spotify for, focused on topics we know they love,” said Colleen Prendergast, Licensing Lead at Spotify Audiobooks.

She added: “By bringing shorter form content into the mix, we’re meeting audiences where they are to help build healthy listening habits, ultimately growing engagement with books over time.”

Spotify launched its audiobooks business just over two years ago and says it has since expanded into 22 markets. The company also said audiobook listening hours have risen 60% year on year as it continues adding new features to the service.

The post Spotify Expands Beyond Music and Podcasts with Narrated Magazine Articles appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The company said the feature works through a new command-line interface tool, now in beta, which connects Spotify with external coding agents such as OpenAI’s Codex, Anthropic’s Claude Code and OpenClaw.

Users can generate private audio briefings or podcast-style content from notes, schedules, articles and other personal material, then listen to them inside the Spotify app.

Spotify also explained that the podcasts will remain private and do not appear for other users on the platform.

“People are already starting to use their agents to create personal audio that guides their day: from summaries of class notes before an exam to briefings of what’s on their calendar. And they’re asking for a way to listen to it on Spotify, where they already listen to everything else,” the company said in a blog post.

The tool lets users create different types of audio content depending on what they need. Someone preparing for work can generate a short morning briefing with meeting reminders, weather updates and podcast suggestions for their commute.

A student studying philosophy could also create weekly audio lessons based on saved notes, articles and research material.

Users who already work with coding agents on desktop can install the beta tool through its GitHub page. After signing into Spotify through a browser, they can write prompts describing the kind of podcast they want and ask the agent to save it directly to their Spotify account.

For example, a user could request an audio session explaining the history of the World Cup, including major players, host countries and details about this year’s tournament. The system then creates the podcast and adds it to the user’s library with a Spotify link for playback.

The company further noted that the feature is available to eligible Free and Premium users globally, although limits may apply during the testing period.

Spotify plans to continue adjusting the personal podcasts experience as it receives feedback from listeners and expands the beta programme.

The post Spotify Launches AI Tool for Creating Personal Podcasts Inside Its App appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The music streaming platform said the feature is now available in more than 75 markets, including Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, South Korea and Switzerland.

Spotify launched the AI DJ feature in 2023. At first, it mainly offered spoken commentary between tracks while recommending music based on a user’s listening habits. Since then, the company has steadily added more interactive features.

Last year, Spotify updated the tool so users could speak with the DJ directly and ask for changes in mood, genre or style during a listening session. Users can now also request specific tracks through voice or text prompts.

The company said each new language version comes with its own DJ personality and voice.

For French listeners, the DJ is called Maïa. Spotify described the character as “Effortlessly cool and treats every listener like a friend who already has great taste.”

The German-language DJ, Ben, is described as “The kind of voice that makes listening feel intentional: warm and present, without trying too hard.”

Spotify said Alex, the Italian DJ, is “Warm and grounded: the voice that bridges the gap between knowing music and truly feeling it.”

For Brazilian Portuguese users, Dani is “Always one song ahead of the moment: eclectic and genuinely excited to share what’s next.”

The company said the feature continually builds on Spotify’s goal towards more customised recommendations inside the app.

“Since launching in 2023, DJ (beta) has helped shape a more personalised listening experience for 94 million Spotify Premium users,” Spotify said.

The DJ tool combines music suggestions with spoken commentary and draws from a user’s listening history to recommend familiar tracks, older favourites and new releases.

Spotify has also been adding other AI-based tools across the platform. These include playlist generation features that allow users to create music or podcast playlists by describing what they want to hear.

Users can access DJ from Spotify’s home page or by searching for “DJ” inside the app. Language settings can be changed through the menu within the DJ card.

The post Spotify Expands AI DJ Feature With French, German, Italian and Portuguese Support appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The requirement is an increase from the €40 million annual obligation set in 2021.

According to ARCOM, the obligation could increase to €110 million, as a higher figure applies if Amazon releases films on Prime Video less than 12 months after cinema screenings.

The investment is part of France’s cultural policy. Streaming platforms and broadcasters must fund European and French-language content to operate in the country.

However, the level of investment depends on revenue earned in France, so the figure can rise further over time.

While the structure of the policy has been consistent, the scale is what changes this time. Bigger platforms now carry heavier financial obligations.

ARCOM’s system is designed to support local film and television production. It ensures global streaming companies contribute directly to the French creative sector rather than relying on imported content alone.

Amazon is not alone in this arrangement. Netflix already commits hundreds of millions of euros each year to French and European productions. Disney+ also contributes, although at a lower level due to its smaller presence in the French market.

The spending regulations have helped shape what viewers see locally. Series such as Lupin on Netflix and Mixte on Amazon Prime Video benefited from this funding model, and these productions have also strengthened local demand for streaming platforms.

The financial stress on Amazon is growing, with its global content budget exceeding $16 billion in 2025. France is still one of its strongest European markets, with around 12 million Prime Video subscribers.

The current requirement will add to Amazon’s content strategy, as it must balance global production costs with local obligations that vary by country.

France is one of the most demanding regulatory environments in Europe for streaming services.

The post Amazon Prime Video Ordered to Invest $105m in French Content Under ARCOM Requirements appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The company expects operating income of €630 million for Q2, below analyst estimates of €684 million. It also forecast 299 million premium subscribers, falling short of the 302 million expected in the market.

Revenue guidance of €4.8 billion remains broadly in line with forecasts, while monthly active users are projected at 778 million, slightly above expectations.

Investors reacted quickly. Shares dropped about 6% after the outlook was released, as investors focused on slowing growth in paid subscriptions, particularly in Europe and North America, where recent price increases appear to be limiting further expansion.

In contrast, the first quarter showed stronger financial performance. Spotify reported revenue of €4.53 billion, up 8% year on year and in line with expectations. Operating income reached a record €715 million, supported by lower payroll-related costs. Gross margin rose to 33%, one of its highest levels to date.

User growth also held firm in Q1. Monthly active users climbed to 761 million, beating forecasts. Premium subscribers rose to 293 million, up 9% year on year, although slightly below market estimates.

Leadership is still under co-chief executives Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström following the transition earlier in the year, when Daniel Ek moved into the role of executive chairman.

Spotify is enhancing its artificial intelligence features to support engagement and retention. Tools such as AI DJ, AI Playlist, and Prompted Playlist have expanded across music and podcasts, while newer recommendation features aim to deepen personalisation.

Competition is intense, with Apple Music and Amazon Music both expanding similar AI-driven discovery tools, while streaming platforms more broadly are relying on recommendation systems to sustain user engagement.

The post Spotify Shares Slide on Weak Q2 Outlook and Slower Subscriber Growth appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The company said eligible users will get free access to DStv Stream Compact from April 1 until the end of May. After that, they can continue at R99 ($5.90) a month for 12 months. The standard price is R299 ($17.83).

The offer is aimed at keeping viewers as Showmax closes on April 30. From that date, all content, including Showmax Originals, will sit on DStv Stream.

Subscribers must sign up for DStv Stream, create a new profile and follow instructions sent to their registered email. MultiChoice said the process takes less than five minutes, but it still requires users to opt in.

That step could affect how many people make the switch. The company has not shared current Showmax subscriber numbers, so it is not known how many users may drop off.

The R99 price is lower than several competitors. It sits below Netflix’s standard plan in South Africa and includes live sport through SuperSport, which other platforms do not offer. DStv Stream also combines live TV, films, series and children’s content in one app.

Still, the discount lasts for a year. After 12 months, the price returns to R299 a month. That jump could test how many customers stay on beyond the promotional period.

The offer comes with conditions. Subscribers must keep their accounts active and payments up to date throughout the 12 months. If payments lapse, the price resets to the standard rate.

The promotion is open to Showmax users who do not already have an active DStv subscription and who pay for Showmax directly. Existing DStv Compact, Compact Plus and Premium customers are excluded, as they already have access to Showmax content on DStv Stream at no extra cost.

Customers who decide not to move can request a refund for any unused portion of their Showmax subscription. Automatic payments will stop once the platform shuts down.

MultiChoice is also using the transition to push new and returning content on DStv Stream. These include the true-crime series The People vs VBS, available from 1 April, the final episode of Die Kantoor on 14 April, and a live broadcast of the Soweto Derby on 26 April.

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The collaborative initiative aims to bridge the shortage of educational materials in Nigeria by placing 1,000 books directly into the hands of primary school pupils in underserved communities.

This project serves as a direct response to the gap in nursery classrooms where children often learn without basic creative tools such as colouring books and crayons.

The creation of the book utilized Google Gemini as a creative enabler to reimagining African folklore as print-ready line art.

A group of creative contributors led by Broda Shaggi, alongside Falz, Layi Wasabi and others, gathered at an Imagination Workshop to share memories and cultural stories.

These storytellers used the generative AI tool to translate their cultural ideas and heritage narratives into high-quality art that children can now take pride in and colour.

The finished work was designed and published by Inked Memory, ensuring the final pages met appropriate educational and child-centered standards.

“At Slum2School Africa, we have always believed that education is the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty,” stated Otto Orondaam, Founder of Slum2School Africa. He noted that education begins long before a child enters a classroom, starting with the stories they hear and the materials they hold. “Stories from Our Home is an extension of everything we stand for, ensuring that every child, no matter where they are born, has access to the resources and the identity that will shape their future.”

The formal unveiling at the Slum2School Innovation Hub in Lekki featured special reading sessions with the children. Google West Africa Director Olumide Balogun delivered opening remarks and read the story of the Great Rivers of Nigeria.

He was joined by guest readers Nancy Isime and Bisola Aiyeola, who shared stories of Nigerian heroes including the Walls of Benin and Queen Moremi Ajasoro.

These sessions were designed to show children that their culture is a treasure and that their stories belong in books.

“I know what it feels like to grow up without these things,” said Samuel Animashaun Perry, popularly known as Broda Shaggi. “I know what it means when a child does not have the basic tools that others take for granted. That experience never leaves you, and it is why I am committed to doing whatever I can to make sure young people today do not have to go through what I went through. Being part of this project, and seeing 1,000 packs go into the hands of these children, means everything to me.”

Each child at the launch received a Dream Pack containing the printed book along with crayons, notebooks, pencils and educational games.

This initiative highlights the importance of creative play, which supports foundational capacities such as fine motor skills, focus and imagination. By combining technology with traditional storytelling, the project ensures that children in underserved areas have access to the resources and identity that will shape their future.

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What began as a symbolic departure from Enugu has evolved into a nationwide advocacy campaign, with strategic stops in Awka, Asaba, and Benin. At each location, the ride has served as a platform for community engagement, education, and meaningful dialogue on autism awareness, inclusion, and the urgent need for stronger support systems.

The initiative has attracted significant national attention, including high-level engagements with the First Lady and other key dignitaries, reinforcing the importance of autism advocacy at the highest levels of leadership.

Further validation of the campaign’s growing impact is reflected in the visible support and social media engagement from government officials, including the State’s Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

Deliberately designed to bridge both urban and rural communities, the Autism Awareness Ride ensures broad-based outreach and inclusive participation across diverse populations. As the journey continues, Kanyechukwu will pass through Ore, Ijebu Ode, and Abeokuta, steadily building momentum toward its grand finale in Lagos.

The campaign will culminate on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day, aligning Nigeria’s advocacy efforts with the global movement for autism awareness and acceptance. This strategic timing reinforces the campaign’s mission to position Nigerian and African children within the broader global conversation on autism.

Speaking on the significance of the journey, Dr. Silvia Tagbo-Okeke, representative of the campaign noted:

“This ride is not about one individual it is about millions of children whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and supported. It is a movement to challenge stigma, inspire understanding, and drive action across communities and institutions.”

More than a physical journey, Kanyechukwu’s ride represents resilience, visibility, and hope. It challenges long-standing misconceptions about autism while promoting a future where every child is given the opportunity to thrive in an inclusive and supportive society.

As Lagos prepares to host the final leg of this historic ride, stakeholders, institutions, and the general public are encouraged to join the movement not just in celebration, but in sustained commitment to advocacy, awareness, and systemic change.

The Enugu-to-Lagos Autism Awareness Ride is a strategic advocacy campaign designed to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and mobilise support for children living with autism across Nigeria and Africa.

Through community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and nationwide visibility, the initiative seeks to drive lasting impact in policy, perception, and support systems.

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