Google is stepping up its game with Android Auto. The company needs to accelerate what it offers to users. One of the latest updates is a new feature for Spotify that can make road trips better.
Spotify’s New Feature for Android Auto
Spotify is bringing one of its most social features to Android Auto. The “Jam” feature lets friends listen to and control a shared playlist in real-time. It’s coming to cars with Android Auto or Google built-in.
Jam was first launched in 2023. It lets people create group playlists that everyone in the session can edit. Now, Spotify is extending this idea to the car. The approach works on all platforms, making it easy for more people to join in.
Jam Can Make Road Trips Better
The new feature was announced at Google I/O. It’s part of the company’s effort to make car apps better and more useful. Google introduced new media app models for Android Auto. These models are designed to keep drivers focused and offer more advanced controls. They let developers create features that look like phone apps but are adapted for safer use in the car.
With Jam, users can start a session directly on the Spotify media screen in Android Auto. Others in the car can join by scanning a QR code with their phones. This means passengers can help manage the music without touching the car’s main screen or asking the driver to change the song.
This change is part of Google’s larger effort to bring more app experiences to the car. This includes better support for messages, navigation, and even games in cars with Google built-in. It’s all being done through updates to the Android for Cars app library, which brings more flexibility to create safer and easier-to-use apps while driving.
For Spotify users, this can make listening on the road more interactive. For those who share music on long trips, Jam can make the trip feel more like a group experience, even without passing the phone around.