A new feature in iOS 17 finally sets Spotify free — allowing you to use the voice assistant to start your Spotify session directly on your HomePod, hands-free.
The capability (spotted by 9to5Mac) allows you to start an AirPlay session from your phone using a Siri command. So now you can say, “Hey Siri, play The National on Spotify” to your HomePod, and Siri will route the command through your phone and start streaming Spotify on the smart speaker.
It’s a workaround, but it works. When The Verge’s Dan Seifert tried it, Siri on the HomePod responded, “To use Spotify, I’ll need to AirPlay from your iPhone,” but it just proceeded to do so, no action needed. This prompt sometimes popped up; other times, Siri just responded with “on it.”
Your…