Remember when software came on CDs? You installed the program on your computer, explored the features and functionality, and made peace with what you got.
The Spotify mobile SDKs allow developers to create iOS and Android apps that interact with Spotify. We’re excited to announce that apps using our mobile SDKs can now connect to Spotify while a device is offline. ★ Have Spotify's desktop app or web player running. Otherwise the extension will show you UI that say you need to open the app to enjoy the extension. ★ The background & text color are changed by the song photo's palette. Spotify is a digital music service that gives you access to millions of songs. Just having the same standard 'we just make things better in every release' notes in the iOS app store is dickish at best and makes you look shady. Not giving release notes (or hiding them away) is inept. Please can you tell me where the release notes live, or at least give a reason as to why they aren't published?
It wasn’t so long ago that people bought software at face value. There was no real feedback loop between users and creators. Now, of course, everything is different.
Today, buying software is an ongoing process. Modern users invest in your product roadmap and expect you to gather and incorporate their feedback and usage data.
Product-led companies that learn how to use this data end up making significant improvements to the user experience. Continual improvements aren’t nice-to-haves—users expect regular upgrades to their in-product experience and, with an ever-growing range of alternative products available, they’re fully prepared to churn if you don’t deliver.
You probably knew that, which is why your product team is hard at work building, testing, and shipping bug fixes and new features.
But like the old “if a tree falls in a forest” adage, if those improvements aren’t accompanied by effective product release notes, did they even happen?
Why are product release notes so important?
Product release notes act as a direct line of communication with your loyal customers and power users. Used effectively, they open up a unique engagement channel with your users that keeps them excited about what’s coming next.
Sharing release notes on a regular basis also helps set the right expectations. They’re not only a great way to keep users informed, but also to retain frustrated users who might otherwise be kept in the dark about bug fixes or new features that they’ve been yearning for. Product release notes let users know that their feedback was not only heard, but that it was used to make meaningful changes.
Product release notes best practices
In this article we’re going to look at outstanding product release notes on different channels, using examples from some of our favorite products.
But first, let’s cover some best practices that apply regardless of which channel you use to communicate your product releases.
Where to distribute product release notes
Product release notes should drive engagement, whether you choose to announce updates through in-app notifications, blog posts, emails, or even social media.
Each channel has its pros and cons, and the audience—and therefore outcome—will be slightly different depending on which platform you choose. Channels to consider include:
5 examples of great release notes
Below, we break down 5 examples of great release notes and explain how you can emulate them to make a bigger impact with your next update:
Spotify Release Notes1. Help Scout’s monthly release notes email and blog postSpotify App Download Free
Why this is a great example
Help Scout doesn’t treat their release notes like second-tier content. The email is attractive, the copy is minimal but conveys excitement, and a big call to action entices readers to click through to a well-formatted blog post that’s bursting with energy.
Your team works hard to build new features, squash bugs, and ship updates. Your release notes are a place to celebrate those achievements with your customers.
2. Slack’s multichannel release notes
Why this is a great example:
Just because you're talking about fixing bugs doesn't mean you should start sounding like an exterminator. Slack makes a special effort to pen really unique release notes. It's a way to get people excited about small but important changes that will actually make their lives a lot easier.
Use the compact space of a release note store to show users what you do, and how you do it. 3. Feefo’s in-app update announcement
Why this is a great example:
In-app messaging is powerful because it’s contextual—it catches users while they’re actually using your product. It’s also any easy channel to abuse, so take a page out of Feefo’s book and keep it simple.
If you made 20 changes to your product, for example, don’t blast users with 20 tooltips, slideouts, and modals. Pick a handful of exciting new things to feature in a single slideout or modal and write the rest up in your company changelog or blog. You can link to it in your in-app messaging and let users decide if they want the full story.
4. HubSpot’s in-depth product update blog posts
Why this is a great example:
HubSpot uses tooltips to introduce its users to new features and functionalities while they're in the platform itself. But tooltips are meant to be short and sweet; for users who want more information, succinct, tactical blog posts are great at giving users more background about a release, or even walking them through more complicated rollouts step by step.
If your update will change your users' workflow, it's a good idea to use blog posts to break the feature release down into teachable parts and make your users more skilled at using your product.
5. Teamwork’s feature and development roadmap
Why this is a great example:
Teamwork gives customers a peek inside its process and progress with a transparent list of recently completed tasks and features soon to come.
Your own team is constantly making changes and improvements to your product, big and small. Showcase that hard work and let your audience know that the gears never stop turning behind the scenes.
Make a bigger impact with great product release notes
Free alternative to spotify app. Your team works hard on each new feature, so don't sell yourself short. A feature release is an opportunity to share with current users and potential users alike the culmination of your hard work.
How to sync spotify mobile. Using product release notes effectively will help you to not only get your new feature out into the world, but also to re-engage users, build excitement around your entire product, and extend your brand's reach to new audiences.
Want help planning the perfect product launch? Try ourProduct Launch Plannertool for free!
[Editor's note: An earlier version of this article was published in December 2016. Spotify 30 days free trial without credit card. We hope you like the updates!]
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