[iOS] Implement Native HomePod Support

[robotoman22]

Details

Just this week at WWDC (June 22, 2020), Apple announced support for third party music services on the HomePod.  I'm requesting that Spotify implement native support for the HomePod such that one or even multiple HomePods will appear in the "Connect to a device" menu on any Apple device WITHOUT having to connect through Airplay.  This will also allow users to ask Siri to play songs from Spotify on their HomePod(s). 

Apple is opening up the HomePod, and I know there are many other HomePod users that would love to have native Spotify support on their speaker. 

Resources

• WWDC 2020 video and further resources about this topic: https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10061
• More details on this site: https://developer.apple.com/siri/
• Form to request music service integration from Apple: https://developer.apple.com/contact/request/sirikit-media-intent-for-homepod

Please upvote this idea to garner attention for it.  Thank you Spotify and the Spotify community.  Let's get this implemented so it's ready for general iOS 14 release this September!

[blooperluigi]

All this talk leads me to a few questions.

Given that we now know that Spotify is aware of this issue, it now either:

1. Cares but is incapable of doing it.

2. Is capable of doing it but doesn't care.

@Spotify which is it? And how long do you think it'll be before this blows up in your face?

And given that Apple is obviously aware of this, how long do you think it'll be before they use it against you?

Let's say for example that I make a third party app which integrates Homepod support - are you gonna sue me? How do you think that's gonna go?

Final point:
If I'm asking these questions, then the chances are that someone is already working on the answers to them. I doubt it'll be long before someone forces your hand on this by making that third party app. That's gonna shine a rather large spotlight on how Spotify treats issues like this. Can't imagine that'll help sales. Just a thought.

Time to play fair, Spotify. Or does that only apply when it's politically expedient for you?

[lverg]

I’ve actually thought about making a third-party app that uses the Spotify API to play songs from a user’s library and then integrate it with the HomePod SDK. Figured someone would already have done it if it really were that simple. Maybe have a look into it though?

[Chicago_fan]

@Iverg I have a funny feeling Spotify will have a problem with that.

[ozhanozen]

I am already on my Apple Music trial due this issue, and planning to continue with it unless there are news from Spotify by the end of the trial. Their reluctance to support Apple users on such topics looks like a company policy and will get only worse over time. 

[rayato]

Hi Spotify, any updates on this?

While the HomePod OG went the way of the Dodo, the Mini has been a runaway hit and I believe that the lack of Spotify Connect support is currently a blind spot in your ecosystem. Especially considering that you pride yourselves in working on thousands of different devices. 

Also, leaving a pretty large opening for loyal Spotify users to question their loyalty and switch to Apple Music doesn’t seem like a financially sound decision. 

Anyways, if you could provide an update, I’m sure the community would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance. 

[tryingtothink]

Indeed. I think Apple are likely rubbing their hands in glee. And they can
improve their interface easily as all the info on what people seek is 'out
there'. A lot of Mini's being sold.

[kenron]

At this point just an acknowledgment from someone at Spotify that this feature is requested and they'll at least consider it would be nice. Having no communication at all is honestly pretty infuriating; I for one would feel quite a bit better about this whole thing if they did only that.

On the third party app support idea I'm a software engineer and would be willing to help out if needed! Although pretty confident Spotify would shut that down real fast 😕

[tryingtothink]

Yes, that would be rather fun if it could be done. But I suspect Spotify
might find a way to take revenge. Even though all it would be is accessing
what one has paid for by another method. Which is all we want tod do. So I
don't understand why Spotify is taking it out on us for buying the best
sounding speakers I have another make of smart speaker which got good
reviews and which works with Spotify and which was not cheap and which just
sounds lifeless. Which is why I got HomePods.

[daveThe0nly]

@kenron not possible, already looked in to it... You would have to run a Spotify connect client on the server (there is no SDK) somehow for each client and take the output and stream it to HomePod and signup with apple for native homepod functionality. I don't see this as a viable solution... 😞

[AlexBoom20]

I would probably switch to apple music just because Spotify is ignoring Apple's products as a whole. Spotify not working well with AirPlay, not upgrading the mac application for m1 and the homepod support. I am really furious with them /: