Uber now lets you play backseat DJ for your car’s sound system via Spotify in 10 cities, and on my demo ride-along, I was impressed by how easy and seamless it works. Music selections made on your phone quickly start playing through the driver’s app connected to the stereo, and there’s no data cost to the passenger or driver beyond the premium Spotify subscription. The integration demonstrates both how Uber could allow more in-car personalization and control, as well as how Spotify could strengthen the value of its paid subscriptions through an ecosystem of third-party apps.
Obviously, the partnership comes at a tough time for Spotify, as no one would want to tie their brand to Uber right now given the scandal around one of its execs suggesting the company dig up dirt on journalists who criticize it. But beyond that, the deal makes sense as both companies are trying to change how you spend money by touting convenience.
Spotify tells me the Uber integration will roll out globally in the next few months, but is now live in 10 cities: London, Sydney, Singapore, Stockholm ,Mexico City, Toronto, NYC, LA, SF, and Nashville. Uber is aggressively trying to get all its drivers equipped to run Spotify, and teach them how the system works. Until then, perhaps the worst part of the integration is that not all drivers have it, and you won’t know if your driver does until they confirm you ride.
To use Spotify in Uber, you go into your Uber app’s profile page and “Connect Spotify” to your $10 a month premium subscription. Once you request a ride and are assigned a driver, if they have Spotify set up, you’ll see a Music bar at the bottom of the Uber screen. Tapping that gives you quick access to your own Spotify playlists or a set of city-specific playlists that feature great driving jams.
Once you select a song, it will go into a holding pattern until your driver presses the Uber button to start the ride. Their phone will immediately start playing the song through the car’s system. This works nicely so the second you get in the car, you have control of the soundtrack. While riding, you can choose different songs at any time, and they only take about one second to start playing in the car, which feels very snappy.
If you want to pick song outside of your playlists or Uber’s, you can tap Spotify shortcut button in the Music bar on Uber to pop over to your Spotify app. There you can search or choose any other song. Since the music doesn’t actually stream from your phone, you won’t be hit with data charges for playing music in Uber’s, and the companies are covering the data charges for drivers too.
Overall, Spotify + Uber feels like a natural, graceful collaboration. It’s not sluggish, confusing, or limiting in terms of music choice — all ways they could have screwed it up. One of the big complaints ride-sharing services sometimes get is that drivers are too chatty when passengers want a quiet ride. It sure won’t be silent, but at least now you can ride in peace with a cabin full of your favorite jams instead of small talk.
from TechCrunch http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/XWGzIqlyR0w/
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