Audioburst, an audio search platform powered by AI, announced a new deal to bring its technology into cars. The company is working with LGE on a vehicle infotainment system that it plans to unveil at CES in January. The deal relies on Audioburst’s Deep Analysis API for additional metadata categorization. Continue Reading
Voice assistants and smart devices are one of the hottest topics for the audio industry, and a new report from Voicebot.ai, PullString, and the RAIN Agency traces the trend’s progress. According to the report, voice assistants have moved out of their first phase, marked by availability across platforms and languages and access to core features. It suggested that the second phase of voice will be marked by more nuanced features, use in more contexts, and availability on more connected devices. Continue Reading
Radioplayer has introduced a prototype touchscreen radio for car dashboards. The Reference Radio is a hybrid technology that can play DAB digital radio, FM broadcasts, and Internet radio streams. All of the varied sources appear on one list rather than separated by format. Continue Reading
The navigation app Waze has integrated seven audio streaming services into its mobile app as part of the Waze Audio Player. The additions are Pandora, Deezer, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, NPR One, Stitcher, and Scribd. Waze already had a deal with Spotify, which will continue to be available alongside the new partners. Continue Reading
Google Maps has long been the gold standard for navigation, and the platform’s latest update includes a musical angle. The maps service added integrations with Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play Music. Continue Reading
Voice assistants have a steadily growing presence in smartphones and at-home entertainment. Now the technology is making a decisive move out onto the road with industry-leader Amazon. Continue Reading
Radio is the top choice for Canadians’ in-care listening, according to the Infinite Dial Canada report. When asked about what audio sources they ever use behind the wheel, AM/FM took an 83% share. Radio also took the lion’s share of responses for the most commonly used in-car audio. Continue Reading
AM/FM radio is holding onto its strong lead as the most-used source of audio in cars. According to the latest Infinite Dial results, 82% of respondents ever tune in to AM/FM radio. That rate is the same as was reported in 2017, and down from the 84% in 2016. Continue Reading
Apple is collaborating with two car manufacturers to encourage adoption of both its in-vehicle infotainment system and its streaming music service. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is offering an Apple Music deal beginning May 1 in the United States. Volkswagon also announced an Apple Music deal in Europe. Continue Reading
Ford made several announcements about its Sync 3 AppLink connected car platform during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Podcasting company Acast will have its mobile app made available on the service. Continue Reading
Gracenote, the music metadata company, showed off a new tool for integrating AM/FM radio into Apple CarPlay during CES 2018 in Las Vegas. The vehicle infotainment dashboard doesn’t normally support terrestrial radio, but Gracenote’s app contains several features for playing local radio within that interface. Continue Reading
The Google Assistant voice control platform is getting integrated with Android Auto. The interactive car dashboard previously had Google Voice support, but now it will have the full feature set available from Google Assistant. It will still offer the more common functions that Android Auto owners have likely already been using, such as pulling up music or driving directions. Kia has also added Google Assistant support. Continue Reading