Spotify is currently said to be testing native voice search in the iOS app that is possibly suggesting integration with a Spotify-built smart speaker. A spokesperson has confirmed the same to TechCrunch saying the testing is ‘just for now.’
Currently, the testing is only done on iOS and you will be seeing a white bubble with a microphone icon on the bottom right of your screen when you’re in the ‘Search’ tab. Since it is testing, only a small set of users have access currently. A Spotify user who has found the voice search feature has also posted a video. Going by the video, the feature seems to be in good shape and has the ability to access music several different ways.
This feature is definitely handy as it eliminates the need for typing while you are on the go wearing microphone headphones. Though Snapchat tested the Driving mode over a year ago, it never rolled out anything related to it, but an Android user who dug up the APK has found the files separately for the driving and voice search modes, indicating that the new voice interface isn’t just an iteration on driving mode.
This could mean that Spotify might be working on its own interface for third-party smart speakers or it could potentially build one for itself relieving itself from depending on Apple’s Siri on HomePod, Google’s Assistant for Home or Amazon’s Alexa for Echo. It at all Spotify brings its own Smart speaker, it will be needing its own voice technology to power them.