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The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: “Serial” producers plan next two seasons; GAANA hacked; Sirius XM lawsuit deepens; new podcast network; Android vs iOS in the car. Continue Reading
Android Auto is making its first appearance in new car models this week. The system will debut in the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Although this is marks Android Auto’s launch in new cars, it became available as an after-market product through select Pioneer models beginning in March. Continue Reading
IHS Automotive has released a market report covering more than 4,000 vehicle owners planning to buy a new car about the apps they would want in their new purchase. Music was the third most popular app category for use in vehicles, securing 38% of respondents’ interest. The report also included forecasts for three of the primary digital dashboard systems: Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and MirrorLink. Continue Reading
Silicon Labs has unveiled a new car radio product line that combines AM/FM broadcast signals and digital receivers. The Si46xx range includes receivers/audio processors and multi-standard digital radio ICs. They can receive data from both analog and digital audio sources. Continue Reading
Google has officially launched its Android Auto connected car solution in the U.S., the UK, and Australia. It is available to drivers who have both a second generation Networked Entertainment eXperience, or NEX, in-dash multimedia receiver from Pioneer. The aftermarket digital dashboard must be partnered with a smartphone running the Android 5.0, or Lollipop, operating system. Continue Reading
At it’s Spring Forward event, Apple announced that its connected car solution will appear in more than 40 new car models this year. The CarPlay software turns over a vehicle’s digital dashboard to a simplified version of iOS 8 so that the driver can use voice or touch controls to access navigation, phone calls and messages, and music while on the road. Continue Reading
Rdio’s many CES announcements add up to a major push into new listening devices both large and small. For starters, the streaming service entered into an exclusive partnership with Bosch to integrate into the mySPIN platform. It also announced new deals to integrate with more smart TVs and WiFi speakers. Continue Reading
AT&T has thrown its hat into the auto technology ring with the announcement of its own connected car platform. AT&T Drive is designed to be a modular solution where car manufacturers can pick and choose the features they want. HQ’d in a 5,000-square-foot research center, AT&T Drive joins Google, Apple. Microsoft, and QNX in a crowded space. Continue Reading
Joyride is a service designed to improve the business options available for podcasts, particularly for in-car listening. The platform, which was initially a voice-activated service for navigating mobile apps in a car, now aims to help listeners find more shows that they will enjoy while helping the show creators to make money. Continue Reading
Thanks to new software updates, Slacker is coming to the Toyota Entune and Lexus Enform connected car dashboards. The online radio service will be added to models from 2011 to 2015 from both manufacturers. Both systems have voice activation, so the Slacker software will incorporate that feature in the song and station searches. Continue Reading
Imagine getting into a taxi and hearing your Spotify playlist, which you were just listening to, coming out of the car stereo. That is the vision, and starting this Friday the reality, of a partnership announced today by Uber and Spotify. The heart of the deal is about ownership vs. access, of both music and transportation. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio is now live in the Apple CarPlay system for connected vehicles. It will also be available for consumer use in certain car models and aftermarket headunits. The app allows users to access their favorite live radio, custom stations, and talk shows from their dashboards. Continue Reading