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Spotify and Waze have expanded their previously announced integration to iOS, meaning iPhone users will now be able to access tunes without having to leave their GPS navigation screen.
By way of a quick recap, back in March the companies announced a two-way integration to save users from switching between apps while driving. This means that within Waze users can access their Spotify playlists and change tracks, and within Spotify users will see an option to launch Waze when the drive mode screen is activated.
Above: Spotify in Waze
Until now, the integration was limited to Android devices, which is perhaps understandable given Google’s involvement here — the internet giant acquired Waze in a $1 billion deal back in 2013. But from today, iPhone users can enjoy the tie-up, too.
In the months since the partnership was first announced, Spotify has revealed that it now has 140 million users, with its paid subscription base hovering around the 40 percent mark. As it prepares to go public in the near future — reportedly bypassing the traditional IPO route — Spotify has been working more closely with record labels, even going so far as to let them restrict new releases to paid subscription tiers.
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Forging tight integrations with hugely popular mobile apps such as Waze can only help improve Spotify’s mindshare as it looks to stay ahead of music-streaming rivals, including Apple and Waze’s parent company — Google. Other notable third-party partnerships of late include Hulu, which is now being offered to U.S. students as part of a bundle with Spotify for $5 per month.
