Spotify And Uber Team Up To Bring Custom Tunes To Passengers

Music-streaming behemoth Spotify and ascendant taxi toppler Uber have announced a partnership designed to allow passengers total control over what they listen to when they utilise the driving service.

Revealed in the wee hours of this morning (AEST), the companies' team-up will allow Uber and Spotify Premium users to customise their ride's soundtrack, giving them the chance to blast their own tunes through the car's speakers (and possibly, beneficially, encourage your driver to find a shortcut to get rid of you quicker).

In order to control the stereo on their drive, users will have to connect their Spotify account via the Uber app and request a ride; then, when they are matched up with a Spotify-enabled Uber vehicle, they will be able to choose from Uber's set of featured playlists or their own Spotify playlists, from within the Uber app. Alternatively, you can switch across to the actual Spotify app and pick some tunes from the catalogue there. Fear not if your mood changes during the ride — users will have the ability to change what's playing during the journey, so if you're really sensing a bit of driver tension, maybe leave the Killswitch Engage until you get home and swap to something a little more agreeable for everyone.

To celebrate the new partnership, Spotify and Uber are holding launch events in ten cities around the world — from London and LA to Stockholm and Sydney — this Friday, November 21. The launches will boast appearances from a selection of participating artists, including Australia's Ricki Lee, with five cities (details to be advised) being treated to artist ride-alongs and exclusive live sessions.

The integration of the two apps will be rolled out in the launch cities this Friday, too, on iOS (a limited-option release is available for Android), with the NSW capital being the first city Down Under to experience the change. The roll-out will continue around the world over the next few weeks.

Check out this handy little explanatory video, below, or head to Uber's Spotify page for a full breakdown of the hows and wherefores.