It looks like Uber is taking another step to separate its service from any other car ride. The company will announce a partnership with Spotify on Monday to let passengers stream music of their choosing as they ride in style to their destination, according to two separate reports from The New York Times and TechCrunch. Uber sent out invites to the press on Friday for a conference call to announce a “first of its kind partnership” with a “special partner guest.” The invite includes a music clef, suggesting it relates to the rumored Spotify partnership.
Uber has long proclaimed to be “everyone’s private driver.” Soon, those drivers will be able to play your own tunes while you ride. On Monday, Uber, the San Francisco-based ride-hailing service, plans to announce a new partnership with Spotify, the online music service, according to two people familiar with the companies’ plans. The match is meant to bring Spotify’s popular streaming service to Uber customers when they use the on-demand car service, these people said, who spoke under condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the project. Reporters were sent e-mail invitations on Friday evening to join a conference call with Travis Kalanick, chief executive of Uber, and an unnamed “special partner guest” for an announcement of a “first-of-its-kind partnership.” Sources said Daniel Ek, chief executive of Spotify, would probably join Mr. Kalanick to announce the deal on the conference call.