Background

As a runner (or someone who pretends to be one in the morning), I often search for interesting podcasts to keep my brain entertained during my runs. I've discovered that podcasts offer many insights or "nuggets of wisdom" that I'd like to remember. However, there's a problem: we don't usually run with a notepad and pen, making it difficult to take notes or remember key points in an hour-long podcast. This issue also arises in other situations, such as while driving or working out at the gym.

What was that nugget I heard today on my run?!? (listens to 1-hour long podcast episode all over again)

Current ways of note taking for podcasts while out and about

• Screenshot the podcast while it is playing to know the timestamp of notes
• Stop and type notes into Note Taking application
• Text notes to self

Solution

Spotify's new "snippet feature" allows users to record the previous 30 seconds of a podcast with just a tap of a button on their phone or watch. The Snippets are saved in the Snippets Library, where users can play, edit, share, download, or delete them.

Podcast / Spotify Numbers

• An overwhelming 94% of podcast listeners engage in mundane tasks while tuning in
• 1 in 4 podcast listeners use Spotify for podcast listening. Spotify has 32.5 million users in the US (Jan 29, 2024)
• 73% of users use their smartphone to listen to podcasts

Design

Record Snippet Icon

To clearly indicate the "record snippet" icon to users, we combined the "replay" and "add note" icons. We also changed the color of the "record snippet" icon to red to highlight its purpose.

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Podcast Screen

Reason for placement of Snippet feature:

1. Users don't use sleep timer as often for podcasts as they do for music.
2. Falls into the Natural Thumb Zone (Right hand).
3. For active users, common athletic clothing brands (Lululemon, Under Armour, 2XU) have a phone pocket on the right side of pants/tights.
4. When driving, the phone is usually on the right side of you.

Episode Snippets Section

Can be found...

1. On episode screen
2. In the 3 dots menu of episode

Access to Saved Snippets

We designed the Snippets Library "play" screen by combining elements from both the current podcast and music screens. Since the recordings are short, there's minimal need to skip back or forward 30 seconds during playback. However, there is an "edit" button that allows users to trim the recording to their desired length.

Thoughts

I really enjoyed this design project because Spotify is an app I use often. With podcasts, I learn many new things that I want to reference later or share with others. Especially during runs, I find that running and listening to podcasts complement each other, as I'm often inspired by what I hear. Sometimes, I run longer just to finish an episode before heading home.

This feature would allow users to exercise, listen to a podcast, and take quick notes on insights all at once. However, as I'm not a developer, one challenge might be how the snippet recording interacts with playback. Does the episode pause at the start of the snippet, or does it continue playing while another player records in the background?