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.
Ford and Toyota have formed the SmartDeviceLink Consortium, an alliance of car companies and software developers intended to create alternatives to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the leading suppliers of smartphone integration in dashboards. The effort hopes to bring some oxygen into a closed duopoly governed by the world’s two leading operating systems. Continue Reading
Dash Radio is a platform for free (and ad-free) radio. RAIN talked this week with founder and CEO Scott Keeney, who discussed strategies for making Dash a leader in lean-back listening. Continue Reading
We covered the early results from Music Biz Consumer Insights and LOOP’s latest study of in-car listening, but the final report offers some more detail into the breakdown of technology choices and listener ages. For in-car listening, 75% of respondents said they listen to AM/FM radio. CD listening came in a distant second with 38%, while digital music files had 18% and streaming Internet radio had 15%. Podcasts secured just 6%. Continue Reading
A new survey from Music Biz Consumer Insights and LOOP examined the growing role of digital audio for millennial drivers. Respondents aged 34 and younger are more likely to listen to digital audio in vehicles; 28% said they had streamed Internet radio in their cars in the past week, and the same percentage listened to digital files. Continue Reading
Understandably lost in last week’s giant election news was a significant announcement from Google. Its Android Auto product, already rolling out with 200 car models, and likely to forever change radio listening patterns, received a major boost. Continue Reading
In a startling announcement, Samsung Electronics revealed that it will acquire Harmon International for $8-billion. The strategy targets the car as the next milestone mobile device. Harmon is best known as the builder of car audio systems (JBL and Harman/Kardon brands). Continue Reading
Edison Research has presented the latest installment of its Share of Ear series. The new report is titled Share of Music and it focuses on American adults’ music listening habits. This analysis reveals ongoing changes to where and when AM/FM radio still holds the largest share, as well as who is most frequently tuning in. Continue Reading
Mark Ramsey notes the rapid adoption of Apple and Google dashboard systems in 2017 cars. Thee 2017 model year might be a tipping point; it certainly will continue the trend toward making the car a rolling version of your smartphone. What does it mean for media brands? Continue Reading
Guest columnist Steve Goldstein takes the Apple CarPlay connected dashboard for a test drive. He shares his thoughts, opinions, and lots of photos of the system. Continue Reading
DAB and DAB+ receivers are making further inroads into car manufacturers. The majority of new cars sold in the UK, Norway, and Switzerland are now equipped with the digital radio receivers. Patrick Hannon, president of WorldDAB, said 82% of new cars in the UK have DAB as standard, followed by 73% in Norway and 65% in Switzerland. Continue Reading
Jacobs Media-owned jacapps, a mobile app developer with a concentration in radio, announced in a webinar yesterday that its apps have been made compatible with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Ford’s SmartDeviceLink system. The upgrade will be available to radio stations next month. Continue Reading
Several European nations have reported developments in adoption of DAB and DAB+ in cars. Growing percentages of new car models come equipped with digital radio receivers across Europe, particularly in the UK, Norway, and Switzerland. Continue Reading