New Spotify Android app enters beta with redesign, ICS support

New Spotify Android app enters beta with redesign, ICS support
Now you can stalk your friends' playlists on the go, Android users

Spotify has launched a beta version of its updated Android app today, bringing a whole new look, access to friends and high-res images to the music app.

The upgrades bring the Android app more in line with the iOS equivalent, and will work on Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) toting handsets and tablets.

For the first time on any mobile device, Android users will also be able to check out related artist view and the app in general is, in Spotify's words "So much faster!".

Spotify for Android

Other features include the ability to check out friends' profile pages and playlists, see artist images in high resolution and an all-new slide-out navigation system.

Speed demon

The beta version launches today so you'll be able to check it out for yourself, but Spotify tells us it will be working hard on bringing even more features to the app before it lands in Google Play.

The admin-lovers among you will be pleased to hear that these include folders (which have long been a staple of the iOS app) and Last.fm scrobbling.

If you fancy a bit of beta app action, you just need to go to Settings > applications > unknown sources and set your handset to allow installation. Then you can hop right on over and download the preview from here.

News Editor (UK)

Former UK News Editor for TechRadar, it was a perpetual challenge among the TechRadar staff to send Kate (Twitter, Google+) a link to something interesting on the internet that she hasn't already seen. As TechRadar's News Editor (UK), she was constantly on the hunt for top news and intriguing stories to feed your gadget lust. Kate now enjoys life as a renowned music critic – her words can be found in the i Paper, Guardian, GQ, Metro, Evening Standard and Time Out, and she's also the author of 'Amy Winehouse', a biography of the soul star.