I’m using at the back of a Waymo that’s autonomously navigating the busy streets of San Francisco with relative ease because of 29 exterior cameras, six radar, and 5 lidar sensors all feeding into an AI mannequin. For simply 15 bucks, I get to expertise what looks like a miracle of contemporary expertise, and but, there’s a nagging thought I can’t shake.
The music sucks in right here.
Waymo’s music-streaming function has felt like an aged barnacle hooked up to a futuristic shell. Till this week, passengers have been restricted to some music stations that performed lo-fi beats, clean jazz, Okay-pop, or different genres they could or might not look after. For many who wished to hearken to one thing extra particular, they’d to make use of one other app from Waymo’s mother or father firm Alphabet.
For iPhone customers, that meant downloading the Google Assistant app and configuring it to hook up with Spotify. At that time, you needed to ask Google Assistant by way of written or verbal instructions to stream sure songs, artists, or playlists on the Waymo. Even in case you get up to now — at which you’ll be midway to your vacation spot and have listened to roughly three lo-fi beats — the service didn’t work reliably.
As I rode alongside in a robotaxi stuffed with cutting-edge expertise, I used to be puzzled why Waymo had not found out a easy method to stream music from my telephone into the automobile’s audio system — a breakthrough that automakers and audio producers found out a few a long time in the past.
That’s why I used to be pleasantly shocked this week to see that Waymo launched a Spotify integration permitting customers to seamlessly hyperlink the music-streaming and robotaxi-hailing companies. I instantly related the companies and hailed a Waymo to see how it will work.
Listening to Spotify in a Waymo.Picture Credit:Maxwell Zeff
Waymo’s Spotify integration is nothing groundbreaking, but it surely provides to the consumer expertise. It really works seamlessly, which is roughly what I’d anticipate when attempting to play music on my automobile’s audio system in 2025. However using round in a Waymo, listening to my very own playlist or choosing up the place I left off on a podcast, the again seat of the robotaxi feels extra like my very own house — which is more and more the rationale I go for a Waymo.
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To set it up, open the Waymo app and navigate to the “Music” part, the place you’ll discover a brand new providing that allows you to connect with Spotify. From there, you possibly can press a button and authorize Spotify to hook up with Waymo, albeit whereas giving the robotaxi supplier some entry to your listening info.
Picture Credit:Maxwell Zeff (screenshot)
Picture Credit:Maxwell Zeff (screenshot)
I’m certain Apple Music customers will quickly need to stream their music and podcasts in Waymos as nicely. Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli instructed TechCrunch the corporate is at all times exploring new personalization choices however didn’t make clear when the corporate would possibly add an Apple Music integration.
As soon as my Waymo and Spotify accounts have been linked, I hailed a Waymo like I often would and received in. On the Waymo’s touchscreen within the again seat, there’s an choice to pick Spotify. I tapped it, and the podcast I used to be listening to on my headphones began taking part in from the precise spot I left off.
Listening to TechCrunch’s flagship podcast in a waymo. Picture Credit:Maxwell Zeff
You’ll be able to flip “autoplay” on or off in Waymo’s Music settings, and upon entry, the robotaxi will routinely begin taking part in no matter track or podcast you have been listening to on Spotify. I favored having it on, but it surely does really feel prefer it might get you into an odd scenario in case you’re listening to an intense true crime podcast after which get right into a Waymo with work colleagues.
You may as well use the Waymo’s touchscreen to pick from quite a lot of personalized playlists that Spotify customers will likely be conversant in, corresponding to your “Daylist” or different mixes. Nonetheless, this choice doesn’t appear to incorporate albums, audiobooks, or podcasts that you just’ve lately listened to.
Selecting from totally different Spotify mixes.Picture Credit:Maxwell Zeff
Fortunately, your Spotify app now controls the music within the Waymo. You’ll be able to merely choose any track or playlist you need out of your smartphone and stream it all through the car such as you would utilizing Apple CarPlay or a bluetooth speaker.
Controlling the Waymo’s tunes together with your telephone.Picture Credit:Maxwell Zeff
Ultimately, the Spotify integration made my robotaxi really feel extra customized; I used to be even in a position to tweak the bass, subwoofer, and treble ranges within the automobile’s audio system. That personalization will not be the principle attraction for first-time customers, but it surely might hold them coming again — and a loyal buyer base is strictly what Waymo wants.
