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

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.

homepodspotify
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

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)
Related Forum: iOS 14

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Top Rated Comments

tom.humphrey Avatar
73 months ago
And when this happens I may then buy a HomePod
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jdmachogg Avatar
73 months ago

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.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Glockworkorange Avatar
73 months ago
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.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
levitynyc Avatar
73 months ago

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.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CyberBob859 Avatar
73 months ago
"cats and dogs sleeping together. Mass hysteria"
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
73 months ago

do not want
As long as you're not objecting to others having the option, you not wanting it is perfectly fine.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)