Waze Update for iOS Lets You Easily Control Spotify From Within Navigation App

[MacRumors]

Waze and Spotify today announced that an update previously launched on Android smartphones is now making its way to iOS devices, bringing Spotify music playback controls right into Waze's crowd-sourced navigation app. Conversely, you'll also be able to start Waze's GPS navigation from within the Spotify iOS app.

As long as the two apps are installed and you agree to link both accounts together, you'll gain access to a subset of Spotify controls in Waze. At the top of the navigation screen there will be a small Spotify icon, which you can tap to access playback controls, change playlists, and jump directly to Spotify.

Waze said that safety remains a priority with today's update, encouraging drivers to keep their iPhone docked with the app open nearby to focus on the road. Both Waze and Spotify mentioned that the new integration should help further combat distracted driving, thanks to a few streamlined features that reduce the need to toggle between multiple apps. These include automatic music playback when Waze navigation begins, only letting you browse playlists when the car is stopped, and more.

Finlay Clark, UK head of Waze, says: "We are delighted to team up with Spotify to create a new function that allows iOS Wazers to enjoy their favourite music, while being re-routed around traffic in real- time.

"Safety is our priority at Waze. By discouraging drivers from tapping their device to switch between apps while on the move, we believe this partnership presents a valuable way for drivers in the UK to use their favourite technologies whilst concentrating fully on the road ahead."

Although the announcement came out of Waze's United Kingdom office, the company confirmed that its integration with Spotify is beginning to roll out globally today in markets that support both apps.

Both Waze and Spotify are available to download on the iOS App Store for free.

Article Link: Waze Update for iOS Lets You Easily Control Spotify From Within Navigation App

 

[zombierunner]

can you get waze on carplay?

 

[jettredmont]

I've never understood the draw of such integrations other than fake inter-corporate "synergy". I've had the same integration between my cardio tracking app and the Music app since forever, and how often do I use it? Other than the first day it was available, I haven't done more than try it since. It just doesn't offer anything that the full app and the control panel don't already.

If I want to see what is playing, I glance at the screen of my car stereo, which kindly tells me (no matter which music/podcast source is playing). If I want to skip ahead or back, I use the stereo's forward/back buttons, usually the ones mounted to the steering wheel.

What does this "integration" give me, other than limiting me to Spotify music (a win for Spotify the company but a loss fr everyone else including consumers) and polluting the already-cluttered Waze interface with yet another widget which will just get in the way? Hopefully at least nothing shows up until you link your Spotify account in, but Google's stewardship over Waze has generally not favored user-friendly interface design and has instead appeared to maximize the ad-display surface and time period.

 

[CarpalMac]

I love using Waze, apart from the adverts which often block out the upcoming junction I am about to have to navigate once the lights change - but they really need to keep a lid on the interaction distractions, just like this sort of thing.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

But can you turn off Waze's constant nagging about ride sharing yet? I directions waze - not to be an uber.

 

[kklaus]

Too bad I just left Spotify for Apple Music. Actually never used in app audio controls anyway- and thought Siri would be better at controlling music. Usually just wind up yelling at her in frustration after the third try fails...but I do love Waze! Wish they had more customization options for the display. (Map styles)

 

[km9898]

This Is great! I use my iPad as my main car stereo controller and this is exactly what I have been waiting for

 

[slammer0]

can you get waze on carplay?

Nope, Apple doesn't allow 3rd party navigation apps on CarPlay. Only music, VoIP, messaging and automaker apps.

 

[one more]

Waze is not showing up in my app updates list as yet.

 

[xizdun]

How about Waze and Google Play Music, since they're part of the same company?

 

[zombierunner]

Nope, Apple doesn't allow 3rd party navigation apps on CarPlay. Only music, VoIP, messaging and automaker apps.

It would be awesome if Apple just gives up on maps and goes with google maps/waze because seriously who uses Apple maps

 

[Statusnone88]

can you get waze on carplay?

Apple letting you use Waze or any other third party navigation app would be a huge improvement.

 

[boswald]

More crap tacked on what use to be a simple navigation app. Oh well, I like Apple Maps better anyway.

 

[jettredmont]

It would be awesome if Apple just gives up on maps and goes with google maps/waze because seriously who uses Apple maps

Personally, I use Waze and Apple Maps about 50/50. I don't see a difference in the quality of directions. Waze' voice is easier to mute when I just want someone else in the car to keep me on track instead of the assistant interrupting our music/podcast to tell us how to get from our house to the freeway.

 

[Born Again]

Love Waze

Wish apple would let us default to it

 

[spazzcat]

Personally, I use Waze and Apple Maps about 50/50. I don't see a difference in the quality of directions. Waze' voice is easier to mute when I just want someone else in the car to keep me on track instead of the assistant interrupting our music/podcast to tell us how to get from our house to the freeway.

With CarPlay it is very easy to mute apple maps. And with iOS 11, AM gets much needed improvements to lane assist. Siri will tell you what lane to be in and when to change lanes.

 

[Fofer]

Apple letting you use Waze or any other third party navigation app would be a huge improvement.

Apple would let them, if only they'd make their app CarPlay-compatible. Like Spotify, Pandora, Audible, Overcast, and Castro have... (all of which also compete with Apple's own apps and services.

 

[spazzcat]

Apple would let them, if only they'd make their app CarPlay-compatible. Like Spotify, Pandora, Audible, Overcast, and Castro have... (all of which also compete with Apple's own apps and services.

Right now GPS apps are not allowed in CarPlay, I tried Waze on AA, its ok, but there is room for Improvements.

 

[chevy57]

I really want waze on Carplay. Apple map is awful! I never listen from Apple yet. If nothing yet, should install jailbreak in iPhone and install NGXplay tweak. But I dislike jaikbreak.

 

[subjonas]

Split view doesn’t make much sense on phones except for in this scenario. It is much more convenient and safer to have navigation and audio info/controls on the same screen so that there is less switching between apps. It shouldn’t just be limited to these two specific apps though. And apps shouldn’t need to work together to bring this functionality. iOS should have a built in way for any navigation app and any audio app to enter into split screen modes.

The only other scenario in which I think split view makes a lot of sense on phones is when watching but mostly listening to a video while doing other things on your phone. It would be great if in phone portrait orientation, videos could play on the top section of the screen while you do your other tasks on the rest of the screen.