In a fresh development, the site provides exactly the experience the name suggests: Pick a city anywhere in the global stage, press play, and sit back as you ride along through the streets listening to local radio stations. Drive and Listen might not sound like it, but it’s strangely relaxing once you try it.
As part of the ongoing story, what started as a personal project has grown into a virtual road trip through dozens of cities across the globe. The site was created during the pandemic by a student in Turkey who missed traveling and wanted a way to reconnect with places beyond his own neighborhood.
As part of the ongoing story, even with all of this traffic, it’s somehow still relaxing. Here I am riding along in Vegas at night listening to pumping techno.
According to the latest update, the videos are filmed from inside moving cars, giving you a street-level view of everyday life. Traffic flows by, pedestrians cross intersections, storefronts pass outside the window, and city skylines appear in the distance. It’s like a free Uber ride through your favorite destinations. You can cruise through Tokyo, Recent York, Paris, Istanbul, Sydney, or dozens of other cities.
Industry observers note that instead of generic background music, you hear the stations that people in that city actually listen to. Everything from Japanese pop while riding through Tokyo to talk radio while rolling through the streets of Chicago. The addition of local radio is a fun touch that elevates this relaxing desktop experience into something special.
The report highlights that you can change the perspective to someone walking, cycling, flying with a drone, and more. The lasting appeal with Drive and Listen is the feeling of being somewhere else for a little while—even if you’re still stuck at your desk. There are a few extra touches too.
In a fresh development, if you’re curious about another city, need some background noise while working, or just want a change of scenery without leaving your desk, Drive and Listen is worth a visit.
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In a fresh development, when he's not on the hunt for the best computer deals he's covering VPNs, productivity programs, laptops, and a wide gamut of consumer-grade devices and programs. Sam Singleton is PCWorld's VPN beat reporter and jack of all trades.