Code discovered in the Spotify app indicates that it may soon be able to respond to a “Hey Spotify” command. That would enable it to do similar things to Siri with Apple Music, like play a specific song, album, artist, or playlist without the need for touch input first …
Reverse-engineering specialist Jane Manchun Wong spotted the code.
As it stands, it doesn’t seem a massively useful option in the app.
Saying “Hey Spotify” when Spotify is on the screen launches the same Spotify Voice we all know before.
In other words, it will only work if the app is in the foreground. That suggests it might be useful for a few edge cases, like a playlist ending while you’re driving, but not exactly top of the priority list for new features.
Which is why it’s likely to be more evidence of Spotify working on its own hardware. It’s almost odd at this time that the company doesn’t have its own smart speakers, and the Financial Times reported more than a year ago that it was planning to roll out a voice-activated in-car player.
As of last October, you can ask Siri to play music on Spotify. I’ve argued that Apple should go further and allow people to choose Spotify as their default music player.
Spotify’s device will sync to car stereos via Bluetooth connection, as well as preset buttons that correspond to Spotify playlists, according to people briefed on the plans. The device would also allow people to control the player by voice, these people said.
Via Engadget
