Apple Watch users can finally listen to Spotify music without an iPhone. This is a boon to runners, and continues the trend of making Apple’s wearable more independent.
No more lame Spotify for Apple Watch
There has been a Spotify app for this wrist computer for two years, but previously this has been primarily a remote control for the service running on an iPhone. But that changed on Tuesday. The German-language site Macerkopf reported that users of the Watch app could suddenly stream audio directly, over Wi-Fi or a cellular connection.
Spotify then told Engadget, “We’re focused on developing experiences that enable users to listen to Spotify wherever and whenever they want — regardless of the device or platform. After an initial testing period, we are now rolling out streaming capabilities for Spotify on the Apple Watch.”
The feature apparently isn’t available to all yet. And those who are interested will still have to install the iPhone app to put it on their watchOS device. The software is free, and there’s a also a free version with commercials. Without that advertising, Spotify Premium costs $9.99 per month.
Streaming music over a Wi-Fi or cellular connection to an Apple Watch is a feature that’s already available to Apple Music subscribers. This service costs $9.99 per month.
Spotify has been beefing up its Apple software. It added Siri support to the Watch app in the spring, for example. And there’s an iOS 14 widget. This despite the company and Apple being at loggerheads over fees and App Store rules.
