Android users with a Spotify Premium subscription can get a sneak preview of the upcoming app before it hits Google Play by download the beta version of the software. Spotify for Android has been updated making it more on a par with the iOS version of the app, but there is still development taking place before the official release, so there may well be even more to look forward to.

New in this version of the app is support for Ice Cream Sandwich as well as a whole new look. Navigation is now made possible through a slide-out panel and high resolution artist graphics are now available. To make the app more of an experience that just a tool for listening to music, there is now the ability to view details about related artists, and this provides a great way to discover new artists and expand your musical horizons.

Spotify for Android beta

In terms of performance the beta version is noticeably faster than earlier incarnations, and there is more of a social aspect than ever before. You can now browse through your friends’ profile pages and playlists, and a new ‘extreme’ sound quality setting gives you the option of listening to tracks at 320kbps.

There are a couple of caveats to bear in mind before you jump on this app. Firstly, as the software is not currently available in Google Play you’ll have to configure your Android device to allow the installation of external software. To do this, head to the Applications section of Settings and select the Unknown Sources option. You also need to have a Premium subscription, so if you’d just like to try out the service, pay a visit to  the sign up page to register for a free trial.

You can find out more and download a free copy of the app by paying a visit to the Spotify for Android review page.