Tensions between Spotify and Apple have flared up again. Spotify claims that Apple’s changes to its Spotify Connect feature have restricted users’ ability to control volume with the physical volume buttons on their iPhone. Here are the details…

Spotify claims it’s restricting the ability to control volume with physical volume buttons on the iPhone

Spotify Connect is a feature that allows users to seamlessly switch music across devices. However, with this change, users can now only adjust the volume using the volume slider in the Spotify Connect menu.

Spotify says this violates the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires big tech companies like Apple to offer fair access to third-party service providers. Apple’s practice allegedly makes it harder for Spotify to integrate with its services.

Apple, for its part, stated that the iPhone’s voice controls work seamlessly with its own devices, such as the HomePod and Apple TV, but that integration with third-party devices requires that the apps be fully integrated with the HomePod in order to do so.

In an effort to reduce the negative impact of this change in audio on users, Spotify has started rolling out a new feature in its iOS app that detects when users press the volume button and directs them to the in-app volume control.

This situation has once again revealed that the competition between Apple and Spotify continues and how complicated even integration with third-party applications can be. What do you think? Do you find this approach of Apple fair? You can write your opinions in the comments section below.