Changelog v1.2.0-Beta(4)

A stability and architecture-focused update addressing playback pipeline performance, Spotify queue reliability, UI smoothness, interactive splash animations, and in-app update delivery.

✨ Highlights

🟢 Spotify Playback & Queue Optimization

• Instant Queue Start: Large playlists and personal mixes now start playing immediately by preloading a local window while resolving the remaining queue lazily in the background.
• Queue Pagination Reliability: Fixed infinite pagination dropping trailing songs in long sessions and "Liked Songs".
• Radio Decoupling: Prevented redundant YouTube auto-radio triggers from overriding Spotify queues.
• Home Feed Playback: Resolved shelf item playback issues and fixed pull-to-refresh stale cache handling.

🎨 Interactive Particle Splash Screen

• Dynamic Visuals: Introduced a particle physics engine featuring shockwaves, radial flashes, and coordinated UI reveal transitions on cold start.
• Theming & Controls: Fully supports Light and Dark themes. Can be toggled off at any time via Settings → Appearance → Splash Animation.

⚡ UI Responsiveness

• Smoother Lists & Grids: Removed micro-stutters across Charts, Moods/Genres, and song lists through stabilized item keys and reduced Compose layout passes.
• Faster Navigation: Reduced initial layout latency when navigating into Library, Mixes, and playlist screens.

🔄 In-App Updater

• Direct Asset Downloads: Fixed GitHub asset resolution to download APKs directly via verified CDN release URLs, preventing stalled downloads and 404 redirects.
• Cache Bypassing: Update checks now bypass intermediate network cache to fetch latest releases immediately upon publication.

⚠️ Known Issues & Work in Progress

• Track Matching (Spotify Mode): In some cases, resolved YouTube audio streams may not accurately match the requested Spotify track (e.g., matching a live version or cover).
• Spotify Home Feed Navigation: Certain playlist shortcuts from the Spotify home tab may route to incorrect playlists.
• Stream Resolution & Regional Throttling: Depending on your region or ISP, initial playback buffering might take a few moments.
• Playlist Management: Creating or directly editing Spotify playlists from within the app is currently not supported; manage playlists directly in Spotify for syncing.
• Search Engine: In-app search currently targets the YouTube Music catalog.

Note: The comprehensive decoupling of legacy dependencies and network resolution is ongoing across upcoming releases to address these matching inaccuracies directly.