Spotify May Be Allowed to Stream Directly on HomePod and Set as Default Music App in iOS 14

[MacRumors]

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today reported that Apple is working to allow third-party music services like Spotify and Pandora to be streamed directly on the HomePod with Siri in a future software update, as is possible with Apple Music. Spotify currently can only be streamed on the HomePod via AirPlay.

The report adds that Apple is also considering allowing third-party music services to be set as default in iOS 14, which would let users ask Siri to stream music from the likes of Spotify without specifying "with Spotify" at the end of the command. Siri currently defaults to Apple Music for these requests.

In early 2019, Spotify announced that it had filed an antitrust complaint against Apple with the European Commission over unfair ?App Store? practices. At the time, Spotify took issue with Siri's lack of Spotify support on both iOS devices -- which has since changed to a limited extent -- and the HomePod.

An excerpt from its "Time to Play Fair" website -- the wording has since been tweaked:

Apple ignores users' preferred choice of music service and instead steers them to use Apple Music exclusively. So can you ask Siri to play your favorite playlist from Spotify? No, not even if you actively want Spotify to be your default streaming service. Or can you listen to Spotify through your Apple HomePod? Sorry, no luck with that either. And by the way, Spotify is available on pretty much every other speaker device out there.

Apple has faced increasing scrutiny as of late over the way it runs its ?App Store?, beyond Spotify's complaint. Allowing third-party apps to be set as default would certainly help alleviate some of those concerns.

More Coverage: Bloomberg: Apple May Let iOS Users Set Third-Party Web Browser and Mail Apps as Defaults Over Stock Apps

Article Link: Spotify May Be Allowed to Stream Directly on HomePod and Set as Default Music App in iOS 14

 

[tom.humphrey]

And when this happens I may then buy a HomePod

 

[CarpalMac]

Knocking out window openings into the walled garden? Surely not...

But if so then this is a very big step for me. The painfully clunky or total lack of integration with non-Apple apps is one of the main reasons why my Android device is still my main daily driver.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

do not want

 

[CyberBob859]

"cats and dogs sleeping together. Mass hysteria"

 

[Glockworkorange]

I’m fine with Apple Music. I know others aren’t.

I just don’t see the allure of Spotify—they all have the same songs.

 

[Tomboman]

I would buy 2 or 3 Homepods right away, when this finally will be added.

I know many are fine with Apple Music, but would be nice to give others that choice. Like me

 

[jdmachogg]

I’m fine with Apple Music. I know others aren’t.

I just don’t see the allure of Spotify—they all have the same songs.

I've used both over years, in the end I stuck with Spotify simply because I found their algorithm significantly better at suggesting songs/playlists that I actually like to me.

 

[HacKage]

Please allow us to change other default apps.

 

[Bdub12]

I hope they add SiriusXM while they're at it.

 

[levitynyc]

I’m fine with Apple Music. I know others aren’t.

I just don’t see the allure of Spotify—they all have the same songs.

I've had apple music since Day 1.

I'm on a 3 month Spotify trial right now as well.

The Spotify interface is better. Premium sound quality slightly better.

I personally like the continuous play option more. I ask to play one song and Spotify puts together a nice playlist for me.

I know Apple does something similar, but for whatever reason, the Spotify playlists are more to my taste.

 

[citysnaps]

Although I'm stoked with my HomePods and Apple Music using both many hours a day, I think allowing Spotify would be a net good move for Apple.

Personally, I wouldn't switch to Spotify having tried it in the past, and liking Apple Music much better.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I’m fine with Apple Music. I know others aren’t.

I just don’t see the allure of Spotify—they all have the same songs.

Everyone should like what you like right? If it works for you it should work for everyone. Crazy that people actually want choices! Oh what a world.

 

[69Mustang]

do not want

As long as you're not objecting to others having the option, you not wanting it is perfectly fine.

 

[agsystems]

Please allow us to change other default apps.

this is probably the 'right' time for the bean counters at Apple as all of their services have been launched and have significant market share - they don't have to worry about coming from too far behind.

 

[I7guy]

Apple, how about Bluetooth and SiriusXM? Actually Bluetooth is redundant to airplay for iOS devices.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

I like my musicians to be able to keep on making music, so anything that creates a barrier to prevent the filthy casual from further robbing artists is good in my book.

Ergo this is a bad move.

 

[Massy1989]

I sure do hope this happens. This is very much overdue. This setting would allow user choice which is something Google has had for some time through Google Home, even though they too have a music service.

Some people simply enjoy the “For You”-type playlists generated by another service that they have been with for years. On Spotify, these update once a week. These people also realize that moving services won’t generate similar results immediately without a bunch of manual administration and patience, which sucks. If you haven’t switched to Apple Music at this point, you’re only going to if someone forces you.

After several years there are clearly still popular alternatives, so Apple should do the right thing for their users and either allow the service of choice to be configured as default or offer the Apple Music service for free (or combined with an iCloud subscription [at no additional cost]).

 

[jarman92]

I’m fine with Apple Music. I know others aren’t.

I just don’t see the allure of Spotify—they all have the same songs.

I've used Music since the day it came out, but recently switched because Spotify has wayyyyyyy better playlists and includes an actual EQ. But it's a freaking nightmare trying to use it with HomePod/AirPlay

 

[vhayda]

How about Google Play Music?

 

[koil]

do not want

Yeah, as a consumer I would hate having competition between service providers, much better with monopolies.

 

[Gluribalg]

Oh man. This cannot happen fast enough.
I'd love to set Firefox as default web browser.

 

[BvizioN]

I have canceled Spotify.
But having options is always better than not having options.

 

[agffth]

I’m fine with Apple Music. I know others aren’t.

I just don’t see the allure of Spotify—they all have the same songs.

I used Spotify for several years and then switched to Apple Music for about a year. I just recently switched back to Spotify because Apple Music was terrible at recommending new music. I was able to find a lot more music I'd never heard before with Spotify. If it wasn't for that I think I'd prefer Apple Music.
[automerge]1582206610[/automerge]

Oh man. This cannot happen fast enough.
I'd love to set Firefox as default web browser.

Is there an ad-block for Firefox on iOS? That was my barrier when I tried switching.

 

[Stella]

I’m fine with Apple Music. I know others aren’t.

I just don’t see the allure of Spotify—they all have the same songs.

Think in reverse: I have Spotify, why would I want Apple Music if the content is about the same?

I don't see the point of Apple Music if I can get what I want from Spotify.

Also, I can Stream Spotify from more devices than Apple Music, making accessibility better than Apple Music.