Spotify app is a mess

[DJG]

I do have Premium, and it is required to ask Alexa to perform specific tasks like play a specific song, album or playlist (just like Amazon Music Unlimited is required to do the same). It worked in the previous update, but just got the new one and haven't tried it yet, but will.

So they must have broken it with the new update and we have to wait a few weeks to get it patched. Alexa and Amazon Music still works great though (except you can't restart it after leaving and re-entering the vehicle still).

By the way, when pairing Spotify, the request is from Spotify for Android Automotive. Perhaps that was always the case but happened to notice it this time.

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[DJG]

Thanks. I should have asked also, if you can ask Alexa to play a specific song and a playlist, from Spotify and it will play them. Not from Amazon music, but from Spotify. Are you using version 2022.23.5 ?

My Alexa works and my Spotify works.....they just won't communicate with each other. If yours does, then the Premium Plan is not the problem.

Yes, you can do this with Alexa/Spotify, IF you have Spotify Premium. However, that was the case until the recent update (at least for me and some others it seems), so there is a bug that will have to be patched in the next one. Oh well.

 

[cbuckley]

So they must have broken it with the new update and we have to wait a few weeks to get it patched. Alexa and Amazon Music still works great though (except you can't restart it after leaving and re-entering the vehicle still).

By the way, when pairing Spotify, the request is from Spotify for Android Automotive. Perhaps that was always the case but happened to notice it this time.

My Spotify has not worked with Alexa commands since taking delivery on March 21st. I am also on Spotify Premium.

 

[huskybrewing]

I haven't set up Alexa, but the Spotify app in the truck has been fine for me. I'm not a power Spotify user (although I did get a premium subscription), but it brings up my podcasts in the library and has been fine with music. I would really appreciate Rivian adding an Apple Music app so I can cancel Spotify, but it doesn't sounds like that's coming all that soon. Only exception has been rare times when there's no cell service to the truck, and then Spotify is useless.

 

[DJG]

My Spotify has not worked with Alexa commands since taking delivery on March 21st. I am also on Spotify Premium.

Probably something with settings/set up, because I can say with certainty that it worked in 2022.19 software that I was delivered with. I specifically tested it bc this conversation was brought up a few weeks ago.

 

[ipadl]

I took delivery on 5/2/22 and Alexa/Spotify worked great. On the previous update Alexa could no longer operate Spotify.

I would make a request like "Play songs by <insert artist here>."

She would "try" in that she would tell me that she would respond with "Playing songs by <insert artist here> on Spotify." but nothing would happen. I opened a ticket with Rivian but similarly - they stated that there was nothing they could do.

I updated again last week to 2022.23.5. Now, when I request music in the same way above (or by specific song title) Alexa responds with "Playing <insert artist here> on Amazon Music (or, more recently, iHeart Radio)." I did not have this happen prior to 2022.23.5. I also do not have those apps anywhere on the Infotainment center - I can't browse either Amazon Music or iHeart Radio manually.

When I say "Play songs by <insert artist here> on Spotify." I get the same message from Alexa about upgrading my app that others have stated. I have also logged out and back in on my Rivian and verified Spotify skill in Alexa.

For those who still have a working Alexa/Spotify connection, can you verify your Rivian software version?

 

[endress14]

Mine is exactly the same as yours. The previous update worked flawlessly. This update broke the communication between Alexa and Spotify. I have even deregistered Rivian from Alexa and re-registered. I have updated Alexa and Spotify, on my mobile apps. Signed in and signed out of Alexa in the Rivian and Spotify everywhere I can. Restarted my wi-fi.

Best I can tell, Spotify can't be downloaded, or updated directly in Rivian. I can play Spotify manually, but Alexa can't communicate with the Rivian to play specific songs, or a playlist, the way I could in the previous update.

I get the same messages as you, to either download the Spotify app, or update.

I also have the Premium Plan. I get the same messages, whether the wake word is enabled, or not.

@DJG, @Mysta, and @endress14 , do all of you have the Premium Plan Spotify and if you do, are you able to ask Alexa to play a specific song from Spotify, or a playlist in Spotify and it will?

1.) The Premium Plan is what @CommodoreAmiga and I have in common.

2.) My last update is 2022.23.5

just updated my software, and sure enough it no longer works.

 

[verchalent]

Well, my truck was late to the party in getting the latest 2022.23.05. After updating it hosed up my Alexa - Spotify connection and there doesn't seem to be a way to get it fixed. My guide says they are making leadership aware.

I got the update on the later side too. Since getting it, I have noticed general connectivity issues. Alexa and Spotify seem overly temperamental as a result (and my HotSpot stopped working). May need to reset again.

 

[verchalent]

I took delivery on 5/2/22 and Alexa/Spotify worked great. On the previous update Alexa could no longer operate Spotify.

I would make a request like "Play songs by <insert artist here>."

She would "try" in that she would tell me that she would respond with "Playing songs by <insert artist here> on Spotify." but nothing would happen. I opened a ticket with Rivian but similarly - they stated that there was nothing they could do.

I updated again last week to 2022.23.5. Now, when I request music in the same way above (or by specific song title) Alexa responds with "Playing <insert artist here> on Amazon Music (or, more recently, iHeart Radio)." I did not have this happen prior to 2022.23.5. I also do not have those apps anywhere on the Infotainment center - I can't browse either Amazon Music or iHeart Radio manually.

When I say "Play songs by <insert artist here> on Spotify." I get the same message from Alexa about upgrading my app that others have stated. I have also logged out and back in on my Rivian and verified Spotify skill in Alexa.

For those who still have a working Alexa/Spotify connection, can you verify your Rivian software version?

Mine is annoying, but working on 2022.23.5. Alexa seems to pick Spotify or Amazon Music at random. I've gotten into the habit of adding "on spotify" or "on amazon music" to my voice commands to ensure it pick the one I want. I'm not unhappy that it can use Amazon Music, but I really wish it could use other skills too :cough:: siriusxm ::cough:: )

 

[Brewbud]

2022.23.05 immediately broke my Alexa/Spotify interaction. Spotify still works but voice control with Alexa doesn't. It worked great before 2022.23.05 update. I wish I could download Spotify songs directly to the R1T for offline listening like I can on my phone. Streaming from my phone by Bluetooth just doesn't sound as good.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

2022.23.05 immediately broke my Alexa/Spotify interaction. Spotify still works but voice control with Alexa doesn't. It worked great before 2022.23.05 update. I wish I could download Spotify songs directly to the R1T for offline listening like I can on my phone. Streaming from my phone by Bluetooth just doesn't sound as good.

Are you trying to stream Spotify over bluetooth? Or do you have access to a higher quality source? I’ve found that lossless audio or Apple Music sound better even over bluetooth (which is lossy) compared to Spotify on Rivian. Apparently Spotify is way behind the competition when it comes to codec/bitrate.

 

[verchalent]

Are you trying to stream Spotify over bluetooth? Or do you have access to a higher quality source? I’ve found that lossless audio or Apple Music sound better even over bluetooth (which is lossy) compared to Spotify on Rivian. Apparently Spotify is way behind the competition when it comes to codec/bitrate.

Testing with Spotify on High Quality (it's set lower by default) vs Amazon Music (though Alexa) vs BT, I do not notice a real difference. Even with an expensive audio setup it's hard to hear the difference most of the time. When you add road noise and the acoustics of a car, it should be almost impossible to tell the difference unless they're using radically different recordings. My guess is that people's opinions are being influenced by the buggy Spotify interface.

 

[GA_R1T]

Mine actually got better after the latest update. Whereas before the audio apps including radio were spotty to connect and work

 

[Brewbud]

Testing with Spotify on High Quality (it's set lower by default) vs Amazon Music (though Alexa) vs BT, I do not notice a real difference. Even with an expensive audio setup it's hard to hear the difference most of the time. When you add road noise and the acoustics of a car, it should be almost impossible to tell the difference unless they're using radically different recordings. My guess is that people's opinions are being influenced by the buggy Spotify interface.

I have my Spotify set to the highest quality. I don't stream Bluetooth unless I have to. Bluetooth Codecs are lossy. Data is thrown away to fit the bandwidth. You can hear the the difference in some music.

 

[verchalent]

I have my Spotify set to the highest quality. I don't stream Bluetooth unless I have to. Bluetooth Codecs are lossy. Data is thrown away to fit the bandwidth. You can hear the the difference in some music.

BT is just the transmission standard. Your comment did make me wonder what version of BT they're using and what codecs are supported though. The manual only says BT 4.2+, but if they're supporting BT 5+ the audio should be much better over short range. I'll have to do some testing to see what it supports.

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