Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
The number of media apps available on CarPlay has recently increased with one big addition. SoundCloud, the popular music streaming app, is now live on Apple's in-car experience, allowing users to listen to their favorite tunes behind the wheel.
SoundCloud confirmed it was working on a CarPlay app long ago, but the company has never been in a rush to ship this update for unknown reasons.
While it was still possible to listen to music on SoundCloud via Bluetooth (by connecting the phone to the head unit wirelessly and controlling the playback from the iPhone), this update adds a CarPlay interface, letting users interact with the app from the infotainment screen.
Now, the bad news.
SoundCloud lands on CarPlay with one big restriction. The CarPlay experience is only available for subscribers, so you won't be able to run the app in your car if you use the free tier. The application displays an error reading "CarPlay is only available to subscribers for now" whenever you tap its icon in the car.
To become a SoundCloud subscriber, you must pay $4.99 per month. The top tier is the SoundCloud Go+, which includes all benefits and costs $9.99 monthly.
Subscribers get access to essential features, including a list of the recently played files, their uploads, and the library. The application also supports Surprise Me, which recommends content based on the media you previously played.
SoundCloud is a little late to the party, and its premium plan restriction can't be good news for free users who waited for the app to land on CarPlay for years. The company believes the CarPlay support could be a catalyst for more people to get a premium subscription, but the plan could easily backfire and push users to alternative platforms with more advanced CarPlay integration.
For example, Spotify comes with a free plan, allowing users to listen to their favorite tunes without paying for a subscription. The free tier includes audio ads served every few songs and a cap on the music quality, but for people not willing to pay for a subscription, it's a good compromise for having their favorite tracks behind the wheel. Spotify already supports all major platforms, including Android Auto and CarPlay.
If you're already a SoundCloud subscriber and want to get the app on CarPlay, you only need to update the application to the latest version. When the app is up-to-date, its icon should appear on the CarPlay home screen alongside your other apps. Tapping it should launch the CarPlay experience and let you enjoy the content from the infotainment screen.
SoundCloud is also available on Android Auto, but a premium subscription is not required this time. You can run the app on Android Auto with a phone running at least Android 5.0, with no other restrictions in place.
While it was still possible to listen to music on SoundCloud via Bluetooth (by connecting the phone to the head unit wirelessly and controlling the playback from the iPhone), this update adds a CarPlay interface, letting users interact with the app from the infotainment screen.
Now, the bad news.
SoundCloud lands on CarPlay with one big restriction. The CarPlay experience is only available for subscribers, so you won't be able to run the app in your car if you use the free tier. The application displays an error reading "CarPlay is only available to subscribers for now" whenever you tap its icon in the car.
To become a SoundCloud subscriber, you must pay $4.99 per month. The top tier is the SoundCloud Go+, which includes all benefits and costs $9.99 monthly.
Subscribers get access to essential features, including a list of the recently played files, their uploads, and the library. The application also supports Surprise Me, which recommends content based on the media you previously played.
SoundCloud is a little late to the party, and its premium plan restriction can't be good news for free users who waited for the app to land on CarPlay for years. The company believes the CarPlay support could be a catalyst for more people to get a premium subscription, but the plan could easily backfire and push users to alternative platforms with more advanced CarPlay integration.
For example, Spotify comes with a free plan, allowing users to listen to their favorite tunes without paying for a subscription. The free tier includes audio ads served every few songs and a cap on the music quality, but for people not willing to pay for a subscription, it's a good compromise for having their favorite tracks behind the wheel. Spotify already supports all major platforms, including Android Auto and CarPlay.
If you're already a SoundCloud subscriber and want to get the app on CarPlay, you only need to update the application to the latest version. When the app is up-to-date, its icon should appear on the CarPlay home screen alongside your other apps. Tapping it should launch the CarPlay experience and let you enjoy the content from the infotainment screen.
SoundCloud is also available on Android Auto, but a premium subscription is not required this time. You can run the app on Android Auto with a phone running at least Android 5.0, with no other restrictions in place.
Google News