Silent car rides are more than awkward—they’re boring. So Uber is launching a new way to spice up your excursions.
Riders in the US, Australia, and New Zealand can now log into or create an account for Pandora and listening to free, personalized radio stations while in the passenger seat. Uber in June introduced a similar feature specifically for drivers.
Start by choosing an artist, song, or genre, then let Pandora do the heavy lifting: The music service plays tracks based on your interests (so give your favorite tunes a thumbs up) and evolves over time. Then connect your phone with the car’s stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or auxiliary cable (ask first, if accessories are required), and your music will automatically start playing once the trip begins.
Passengers, meanwhile, have had the option to connect to Spotify Premiumsince 2014. Riders in 59 markets can choose a song, station, or playlist and start jamming, ad-free.
“Whether it’s a five-minute trip or an hour-long journey, nothing helps you get in the groove like music,” Uber product manager Holly Ormseth wrote in blog post. “The right song can turn a stressful morning into a peaceful commute, liven up the trip to dinner with friends, or break the ice with your driver.”
Since the summertime launch of Pandora for drivers, Uber users have shared their rides with Drake, Beyonce, Adele, Bruno Mars, and others by playing more than 60 million songs—4 million-plus hours of music.
“So, whether you’re rocking out to your own playlist or to your driver’s, you may find yourself taking an extra loop around the block to finish that song,” Ormseth said.
Rider music will roll out to iOS users in the US, Australia, and New Zealand over the coming weeks. The feature will reach Android owners in the future.
