- Android Autos Spotify -App gets a practical little redesign in the latest update
- JAM -Function allows them in the vehicle to cooperate on playlists
- Minor changes to UI makes Spotify easier to navigate
A recent update to the Android Auto Spotify app has introduced some practical design adjustments and an additional feature that lets passengers get involved in the playlist curing action.
It is likely that the biggest update is the addition of the popular ‘Jam’ feature that allows anyone in the car to scan a QR code and then take part in the Jam session to add tracks to a shared queue. It saves the need for a driver or anterior passenger to manually enter musical suggestions.
The driver or owner of the Spotify account, which is linked to the Android Auto system, still has full control over who can participate in and suggest music, but the owner must have a Spotify Premium account to commence a Jam session. That said, free users can still participate in the jam.
Some of the other updates are a little less obvious with a mild update to the user interface, which includes a more prominent ‘downloaded’ section of the library, which allows for easier navigation to these tracks, podcasts or audiobooks downloaded for offline use.
In addition, there is a new floating search shortcut that opens a dedicated search site for Spotify, according to 9to5Google. Before this update, voice -controlled Google Assistant was the only way to search for music safely when driving.
Instead of Google Assistant finding the pitch and immediately plays it, the new dedicated Spotify feature gives the user the opportunity to search for albums and numbers, with the results shown in the Spotify app.
More to get from Android Auto
In May this year, Google hosted its annual I/O event that introduced new developer programs and tools that would provide greater flexibility on Android Auto Platform.
Games and communication apps were a special focus with the promise of greater video integration when the vehicle is parked. Google also said it worked with OEMs to activate audio-only listening to video apps while driving.
According to 9to5Google, other media apps will receive similar updates in the coming months, with Amazon Music and YouTube Music all due to an update.
