Radio once ruled the car. Now, digital dashboards, smartphone interfaces, and new “infotainment” systems are disrupting the car-listening experience … for broadcasters and car-buyers.
Car manufacturer Tesla is reportedly considering the creation of its own streaming music service. Recode picked up the story, reporting that Tesla has had talks with the three major labels about licensing for a proprietary music platform. Sources have not disclosed the extent of Tesla’s music ambitions, but most likely a music service would be available exclusively in the manufacturers’ electric cars. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio has announced a new development for in-car listening. The company’s two paid tiers — iHeartRadio Plus and iHeartRadio All Access powered by Napster — are both live on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Continue Reading
The connected car revolution continues to grind along incrementally, model year after model year, with app connectivity becoming easier as the American auto fleet (12 years old on average) modernizes. The digital dashboard is the gridiron, and the traditional button radio is the line of scrimmage as audio providers collide for position. But it doesn’t end there. Continue Reading
Nobex Partners announced that its apps are now compatible with the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay vehicle entertainment systems. The company specializes in building mobile apps for radio stations. This connected car support means that Nobex partner apps are now optimized for those displays. Continue Reading
Gracenote announced that its technology is now available in 100 million cars around the world. Its music recognition technology can power auto infotainment systems, offering music metadata and imagery to drivers. Continue Reading
Amazon Music has updated its iOS app to add support for Apple CarPlay. This means that drivers with the in-vehicle digital dashboard can use it to access Prime Music, Music Unlimited, and their purchased or saved digital music from the retailer. Continue Reading
GM and AT&T have partnered to provide in-car WiFi across the GM model line of cars equipped with OnStar 4G LTE WiFi hotspot technology. The headline is the price: $20 a month for unlimited data. That dollar number is a milestone that could accelerate the challenge faced by terrestrial radio in connected cars. Continue Reading
Spotify has another tech integration intended for in-car listening. The streaming music service is collaborating with navigation app Waze, and elements of each service will be added to the other. This tie-up means that you can start a Waze trip while in Spotify. Continue Reading
Car listening continues to be a topic of interest for the audio industry. The Infinite Dial from Edison Research and Triton Digital charted the latest trends for what people hear behind the wheel. AM/FM radio still holds court as the top audio source used in the primary car for 82% of respondents. Continue Reading
Music service Napster sent us a note that it has been added to the OpenCar platform developed by INRIX. INRIX is a U.S.-based software and services company that develops connectivity products for car makers. Napster is one of several audio services that have been incorporated into OpenCar, which is part of a services suite marketed in 50 countries. Continue Reading
Edison Research and Triton Digital, co-producers of The Infinite Dial, have announced the date of this year’s webinar release: It is March 9 at 2:00pm EST. The broad and detailed survey of American listening behavior has been conducted annually since 1998, producing long-running trend indicators, and is widely considered to be an authoritative snapshot of how and where Americans listen to audio. Continue Reading
Ford has announced that it will start integrating Amazon’s voice-activated Alexa system in its cars this month. Alexa is the virtual assistant popularized in Amazon’s Echo and Dot devices, and the Ford/Amazon alliance is a pointer to the future of voice-controlled car infotainment. Continue Reading