Spotify Jam Hits the Road: Collaborative Playlists Coming to Android Auto
Get ready to transform your road trips from solo listening sessions to collaborative musical adventures! Spotify Jam, the platform's popular real-time playlist feature, is making its way to Android Auto and cars with Google built-in. This means passengers can finally ditch the backseat DJ squabbles and contribute to the car's soundtrack directly from their phones.
Spotify Jam allows users to create shared playlists with friends, where anyone can add, skip, or rearrange songs in real-time. This feature, initially launched in 2023, has become a favorite for its ability to connect people through music, no matter their location. While Apple Music's SharePlay offers a similar experience, it's limited to iOS devices, giving Spotify Jam a broader appeal across platforms.
The integration with Android Auto leverages Google's new media app templates in the Android for Cars App Library. These templates are designed to minimize driver distractions while providing richer in-car controls. According to Google, these enhancements will enable developers to build apps that closely resemble their phone counterparts, tailored for safer driving. The feature was announced during Google I/O.
Starting a Spotify Jam session in the car will be as easy as scanning a QR code. Passengers can then control playback from their phones, eliminating the need to constantly bother the driver or front-seat passenger. Android Auto users will be able to kick off a session directly from the media playback screen.
"One of the reasons I am still locked into Spotify is the amazing Spotify Jam feature," according to a user speaking with Android Authority. "This allows me to listen to music with my friends through a shared playlist that any of us can control and modify in real time."
The new Spotify Jam experience is expected to arrive on Android Auto in the coming months, with support for Android Automotive OS following later this year. Google has also announced that Spotify will build its “next-gen” experience powered by the latest APIs and templates in the car app library.
This update marks a significant step in enhancing the in-car entertainment experience, making long drives more interactive and enjoyable for everyone. It's part of a broader initiative by Google to bring more app experiences to the car, including improved support for messaging, navigation, and even games.
Will Spotify Jam change how you listen to music on road trips? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
