When Spotify Connect debuted last September it was aimed at integrating the music streaming service with wireless speakers and home audio systems. Now, Spotify Connect’s reach is moving beyond home audio to smart TVs.
Late Wednesday, Spotify announced the company’s first television partnership with Philips, which will offer Connect on its Android-powered sets. Spotify says Philips is the first of many smart TV partnerships coming in the near future.
Spotify Connect is a feature for premium subscribers and is very similar to Chromecast. You start by choosing music on your smartphone and tablet. Then you send your musical selection to a Connect-compatible hardware, which starts streaming the music independent of your mobile device. You can then use your smartphone or tablet as a remote control. In the case of Philips, you’ll also be able to control Spotify with your TV remote.
In addition to Philips, Spotify also announced Connect availability on Gramofon, a public/private wireless router from FON first announced in April.
Spotify also said it had linked deals with Bose and Panasonic—adding to its collection of more than 80 Connect-compatible speakers and home audio systems. Finally, Spotify says Connect is now available on several multi-room sound systems but didn’t mention any specific partners.
“Our mission with Connect was to give people a better way to listen at home,” Sten Garmark, Spotify’s product chief said in a written statement. “Our partners have delivered an incredible range of innovative Multi Room systems, receivers, radios and dongles for every budget. This is just the beginning. Our goal is to put Connect devices into the home of every music fan on the planet.”
We should hear more about Spotify Connect during the IFA Berlin tradeshow next week, when the music streaming service says it will have more partnerships to announce.