Insyte Weekly: New Features in Spotify's Pipeline, Audi to Launch New Entertainment Features, and more

Media & Entertainment

Microsoft is testing a major update to its Xbox PC app, allowing users to see and launch games from Steam, Battle.net, and other platforms in one unified library. Now available for Xbox Insiders, the feature automatically populates the “My Library” section with installed titles from supported storefronts, streamlining access to a player’s full gaming collection. This move is part of Microsoft’s broader effort to position the Xbox app as the central hub for PC gaming, especially as it prepares for rollout to new handheld devices like the ROG Ally. Support for more platforms is planned, with broader public release expected later this year.

Spotify appears to be nearing the release of its long-delayed lossless audio feature, according to new code found in its latest software update. Reverse engineer Chris Messina and third-party tool Spicetify uncovered references to "lossless" audio options, likely supporting up to 24-bit/44.1kHz quality (FLAC), and new interface elements across devices. The discovery follows years of delays since Spotify first teased Hi-Fi audio in 2021, shortly before Apple and Amazon launched similar features at no extra cost. Spotify now plans to roll out a pricier “Super-Premium” tier offering higher-quality audio and more control, likely priced around $5 above its current Premium plan.

Video podcasting is rapidly gaining momentum, especially among younger audiences. Nearly 30% of podcast listeners aged 15–29 prefer video, while weekly users who only watch podcasts have nearly doubled in two years. Spotify and YouTube are leading the charge, with Spotify’s Partner Program enabling creators to earn from ads and subscriptions via video. Creators are seeing major earnings increases, with some making double what they earned on YouTube. As consumption patterns shift toward video, platforms are investing heavily in monetisation tools and exclusive content. The race to dominate video podcasting is on—and Gen Z is driving the transformation.

In-car gaming takes a leap forward as Audi partners with Swiss company N-Dream to bring the AirConsole platform to select vehicle models. Passengers, including those in the front seat, can now play games while the car is moving by using their smartphones as controllers, thanks to Audi’s Active Privacy Mode that prevents driver distraction. Available via the Audi Application Store, AirConsole supports multiplayer games including trivia, racing, and “Pictionary Car Party” through a QR code connection. The feature is accessible in models like the Audi A5, Q5, A6, and e-tron variants. AirConsole also has deals with BMW and VW.

As Spotify faces subscription slowdowns, it’s offering non-exclusive deals to YouTube creators in a bid to expand its video content catalogue. Unlike past exclusive contracts with stars like Joe Rogan, Spotify’s new strategy allows creators to distribute content across multiple platforms, including YouTube. The company is offering financial incentives, marketing support, and ad-revenue sharing to attract top talent. This shift aims to increase user engagement, reduce churn, and position Spotify as a serious video platform competitor. However, challenges remain, including maturing video ad infrastructure and added content management burdens for creators, while YouTube still dominates with its massive audience and TV viewership.

Edtech

DevLand Academy is on a mission to replace outdated educational technology with an AI-powered, gamified platform designed to engage students and teach real-world skills like AI, robotics, and finance. CEO Michael Kessler emphasises that the problem isn’t education funding, but misplaced priorities. The platform is built to support, not replace, teachers by offering lesson-building co-pilots and smart student tracking tools, aligning with the Department of Education’s human-in-the-loop AI principles. Already live in pilot markets, DevLand plans to expand into public and charter schools in 2025, alongside launching contributor and after-school programs. Kessler says the company won’t wait for permission to drive change.

Casio America has appointed Marko Wityk as Senior General Manager and Tetsuya "Yo" Yonehara as Deputy Senior General Manager to lead a refreshed Education Technology strategy. The leadership change aligns with Casio’s plan to streamline its calculator offerings under the new “Classwiz” branding, aiming to create a consistent and intuitive user experience from middle school through college. Wityk, who now oversees both retail and education divisions, emphasised simplifying the learning journey. The initiative reinforces Casio’s commitment to affordability, accessibility, and minimising learning curves, signalling a student-first evolution that moves beyond traditional hardware into a more holistic, modern EdTech approach.

Fintech

Visa’s Chief Product and Strategy Officer, Jack Forestell, says stablecoins present a promising opportunity for cross-border payments, especially in emerging markets where access to U.S. dollars is limited and local currencies are volatile. In a recent blog post, Forestell highlighted use cases like remittances and B2B payments, noting these represent "new flows" for Visa’s business. The company is partnering with stablecoin-native platforms and fintechs, including Yellow Card in Africa and Rain, for on-chain card issuing. While stablecoins are less likely to disrupt payments in developed markets, Visa sees real growth potential in enabling programmable money and faster global settlements through stablecoin infrastructure.

Fintech growth is stabilising post-pandemic, with customer growth down to 37% (from 55%)—but financial performance remains robust, with revenues and profits up 40% and 39% respectively, according to a new global survey of 240 firms. Fintechs continue to reach underserved groups, MSMEs, low-income individuals, and women, particularly in emerging markets. AI adoption is enhancing performance, with 83% of firms reporting improved customer experiences. Concerns about funding and macroeconomic pressures have eased, and 84% of fintechs now collaborate with traditional institutions. The future outlook emphasises AI, regulatory clarity, regional collaboration, and financial inclusion, pointing to a more integrated and resilient financial ecosystem.

A new survey by Nationwide and Zeldis Research reveals that many financial professionals selling annuities are reluctant to adopt new fintech tools, with only 30% showing strong openness to change. Most use planning software (73%), CRM platforms (62%), and performance reporting tools (56%), but often face limitations in current systems. Top improvement needs include a simplified suitability process (61%), digital new business applications (49%), and tracking pending applications online (38%). Nationwide plans to address these issues with a new policy administration system. Industry groups are also working on digital standards, though many professionals remain unaware of these efforts.

AI

Google has launched AI Mode, its most advanced AI-powered search experience, in India as a Labs experiment. Built on Gemini 2.5, AI Mode can handle long, complex queries by breaking them into subtopics and generating intelligent, nuanced responses. It supports multimodal input—text, voice, and images—making it ideal for users in India, where visual and voice searches are widely used. Features include dynamic follow-ups and deep web content linking. AI Mode aims to offer real-time, high-quality answers while expanding content discovery. As Google refines the tool through user feedback, it moves closer to redefining search in the AI era.

According to Gartner, over 40% of agentic artificial intelligence projects—AI systems designed to autonomously complete goals—are expected to be cancelled by the end of 2027 due to escalating costs and unclear business value. Despite significant investments from tech giants like Salesforce and Oracle, many projects remain early-stage experiments driven more by hype than practical returns. Gartner highlights widespread “agent washing,” where products are rebranded as agentic AI without true autonomous capabilities, estimating that only about 130 out of thousands of vendors are genuine. Senior analyst Anushree Verma emphasises that current AI models lack the maturity needed to deliver complex, autonomous business outcomes. Nonetheless, Gartner predicts that by 2028, 15% of daily work decisions will be autonomously made by agentic AI, and 33% of enterprise software will include such AI, up from near zero in 2024.

Tourism

Africa is poised for a tourism renaissance, with its expansive and diverse coastline offering vast potential for cruise tourism growth. Ports in South Africa and neighbouring countries already welcome cruise ships, setting the stage for expansion as the 2025/26 season introduces new itineraries across the continent. However, realising this potential requires holistic infrastructure development, including modern ports, seamless transport connections, and enriching local excursions. Sustainable practices such as cleaner fuels and waste management are vital to preserving Africa’s natural beauty. Equally important is ensuring cruise tourism benefits local communities through job creation, cultural exchange, and partnerships with local entrepreneurs. Regional collaboration among governments, tourism boards, and private stakeholders can streamline processes and enhance multi-country cruise routes. Drawing lessons from successful destinations like Morocco and Greece, Africa can harness cruise tourism as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, cultural preservation, and international visibility. The future of Africa’s cruise tourism is bright, driven by innovation, sustainability, and shared commitment.

In 2025, several African countries introduced or updated tourism tax policies to promote sustainability, conservation, and equitable economic benefits. Botswana implemented a $30 levy for international visitors to support wildlife conservation in areas like the Okavango Delta. Kenya introduced a 2% levy on tourism services to fund infrastructure and diversify travel seasons. South Africa maintained its air passenger tax and added environmental levies, including a carbon tax and tyre levy. Ghana introduced a $100 airport charge to upgrade aviation facilities, while Tanzania and Uganda are planning tourism levies for national park preservation. These efforts reflect a continent-wide shift toward responsible tourism management.

South Africa has launched the Meaningful Travel Map, an interactive tool guiding tourists toward sustainable and community-driven experiences. The map highlights eco-friendly accommodations, conservation programs, and cultural heritage activities, aiming to create positive social and environmental impacts. It promotes responsible travel by encouraging visitor awareness, reducing ecological footprints, and supporting local communities through tourism. A collaboration between government, conservation groups, and local stakeholders, the initiative enhances visitor experiences while reinforcing South Africa’s position as a leader in sustainable tourism. The map is set to evolve, with future updates and partnerships aimed at driving economic resilience and environmental stewardship.

Retail

Founded in 2020, Sabi has been transforming Africa’s informal trade sector by equipping merchants with business tools to expand their reach and improve operations. After raising $38 million in Series B funding in 2023 and supporting over 300,000 merchants with $1 billion in annualised GMV, Sabi is now facing tough market conditions common in African B2B e-commerce. The company is pivoting to focus on traceable, ethically sourced commodities through its TRACE (Technology Rails for African Commodity Exchange) platform. To align with this shift, Sabi announced a restructuring impacting about 20% of its workforce, approximately 50 employees. Despite the challenges, Sabi remains committed to building scalable, responsible supply chains and reshaping how global buyers source African commodities.

Alpha Modus Corp. is aggressively monetising its patented AI and data transport technologies through high-profile lawsuits, including its latest against Rackspace for alleged Fibre Channel over Ethernet patent infringement. On the commercial front, Alpha Modus is expanding rapidly with strategic deals, including a nationwide rollout of its CashX AI-enabled kiosks with Genmega and licensing agreements with VSBLTY Groupe Technologies, enhancing its retail media footprint. The company expects positive cash flow by the end of 2025 and is pursuing a Nasdaq Capital Market uplisting. Positioned at the intersection of booming AI retail media and fintech kiosk markets, Alpha Modus is poised to capitalise on key growth trends while defending its intellectual property aggressively.

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