Audi is the first manufacturer to introduce Spotify’s ground-up app for cars
New platform takes advantage of passenger screens
A more comprehensive interface brings with it more features
Audi has announced that it is the first automaker to introduce Spotify’s dedicated in-car application, which has been co-developed by the music streaming service and the Volkswagen Group’s Cariad automotive software company. Yes, a dedicated Spotify app already exists for cars running Android Automotive, such as those from Renault, Volvo and more, but that is a template-based solution, which uses standardized layouts and controls. It also keeps a tight lid on the myriad Spotify features that have been introduced over the past few years. Jonathan Tarlton, Automotive Business Development Lead at Spotify, told The Verge that the company was “drawing all the pixels” during the development stages, going on to state that it owns the user experience and that it is “100 percent Spotify”. Unlike the limited Google Automotive OS app, as well as the smartphone projections experienced by both Android and Apple users in Android Auto and CarPlay, the software debuting on Audi models uses a layout that feels more like the desktop experience, making the most of massive infotainment real estate …