I’m driving behind a Waymo that’s autonomously navigating the busy streets of San Francisco with relative ease due to 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 recent expertise, and but, there’s a nagging thought I can’t shake.
The music sucks in right here.
Waymo’s music-streaming characteristic 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, Ok-pop, or different genres they could or might not look after. For individuals who wished to take heed to one thing extra particular, that they had to make use of one other app from Waymo’s mum or dad 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 means of written or verbal instructions to stream sure songs, artists, or playlists on the Waymo. Even for those who get so far — 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 technique to stream music from my telephone into the automotive’s audio system — a breakthrough that automakers and audio producers found out a few many years 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, however it provides to the consumer expertise. It really works seamlessly, which is roughly what I might anticipate when making an attempt to play music on my automotive’s audio system in 2025. However driving 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 area — 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 permits 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 data.
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 properly. Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli informed TechCrunch the corporate is all the time exploring new personalization choices however didn’t make clear when the corporate may 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 obtained in. On the Waymo’s touchscreen within the again seat, there’s an choice to pick out Spotify. I tapped it, and the podcast I used to be listening to on my headphones began enjoying from the precise spot I left off.
Listening to TechCrunch’s flagship podcast in a waymo. Picture Credit:Maxwell Zeff
You possibly can flip “autoplay” on or off in Waymo’s Music settings, and upon entry, the robotaxi will robotically begin enjoying no matter track or podcast you have been listening to on Spotify. I favored having it on, however it does really feel prefer it may get you into an odd scenario for those who’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 out from quite a lot of personalized playlists that Spotify customers might be acquainted with, comparable to your “Daylist” or different mixes. Nevertheless, this choice doesn’t appear to incorporate albums, audiobooks, or podcasts that you simply’ve not too long ago listened to.
Selecting from totally different Spotify mixes.Picture Credit:Maxwell Zeff
Fortunately, your Spotify app now controls the music within the Waymo. You possibly can 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 along with your telephone.Picture Credit:Maxwell Zeff
Ultimately, the Spotify integration made my robotaxi really feel extra personalised; I used to be even capable of tweak the bass, subwoofer, and treble ranges within the automotive’s audio system. That personalization might not be the primary attraction for first-time customers, however it may maintain them coming again — and a loyal buyer base is strictly what Waymo wants.
