Spotify Wrapped: The Ultimate Music Recap Hits or Misses

Tech Winners and Losers: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The post-Black Friday tech world has been abuzz with exciting news and underwhelming updates. This week, we’re shining a light on the winners and losers in the tech sphere, from a major network merger to a disappointing music wrap-up.

Winner: Google Pixel

Google’s surprise announcement to extend support for Android operating system and security updates for an additional two years has left many Pixel owners thrilled. This means that the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 6a will receive Android 16 next year and Android 17 the year after. The Pixel 7 range and original Pixel Fold will now live to see Android 18.

This move is a win for Google, as it shows a commitment to the longevity of its devices. It’s also a huge bonus for Pixel owners, especially those with the "a" series handsets, which continue to be the best value in the smartphone realm.

Loser: Spotify Wrapped 2024

Spotify’s annual Wrapped feature has traditionally been a highlight of the year, but this year’s edition fell flat. Instead of providing users with their favorite albums and genres of the year, Spotify chose to focus on micro-genres and an "evolution" of their musical tastes.

The result is a list of bizarre genre labels, such as "Psychedelic Beatlesesque Classic Rock" and "Indie Sleaze Skateboarding Punk." Users are left feeling confused and disconnected from their music, with some even calling out the feature for being shallow and superficial.

The use of AI-generated podcasts and a forced attempt to shoehorn users into an "era" or "SZN" only adds to the disappointment. For many, Spotify Wrapped has lost its magic, and it’s clear that the streaming giant needs to revamp its approach to keeping users engaged.

[Image: Holding the front of the Pixel 6a]

[Image: Spotify Wrapped seasons]

Stay tuned for more tech news and analysis, and don’t miss our take on the impact of AI on music discovery.