EwtNet

Tag: Automotive

  • iHeartRadio Expands Automotive Availability

    iHeartRadio Expands Automotive Availability

    Today Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio is expanding its availability in the automotive realm. The company, which offers streaming internet radio to over 40 million registered users, is pushing into new territories by integrating with Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, and Kia automobiles.

    As it stands, iHeartRadio is already available in various Chrysler, Ford, GM, Lexus, Lincoln, Nissan and Toyota vehicles.

    But that’s not all.

    iHeartRadio has also announced a partnership with Bosch SoftTec, a platform provider for car OEMs building out infotainment systems. This way, iHeart will reach wherever Bosch SoftTec does.Here’s what Clear Channel President of Digital Brian Lakamp had to say about it:

    Radio is the original mobile, in-car entertainment feature. With the new advancements in automotive infotainment systems, Clear Channel is able to extend the reach of our radio stations to even more listeners. We’re extremely pleased to work with Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo and Kia to bring iHeartRadio to their dashboards, as well as be available in BOSCH’s deeper extension into consumer-facing functionality — providing even more listeners with the products and services they expect no matter where they are – and no matter where they drive.

    According to the release, the new iHeartRadio car apps are focused on minimalism, keeping the driver safely on the road and focused on driving while still enjoying all the music or talk radio they want.

    Speaking of, iHeart recently introduced talk radio to iHeartRadio’s catalog, letting a number of big name brands host live radio shows which can be saved for later listening. The platform is also introducing a way for everyday users to record podcasts/radio shows.

    There’s no clear word on availability when it comes to the new in-car apps, but the press release promises 2014.

    Source: Techcrunch

  • Google Announces Open Automotive Alliance To Drive Android Into Connected Cars

    Google Announces Open Automotive Alliance To Drive Android Into Connected Cars

    Just pulled this one from Techcrunch – Google is hoping to do it again with Android — and cars. The 2007 Open Handset Alliance helped drive Google’s mobile OS from new-kid-on-the-block to dominant force in smartphones. Today, the company has announced the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA) to attempt the same trick but for cars — persuading a small coterie of car makers and others to join it as founder members of the OAA.

    As well as Mountain View itself, Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai and NVIDIA have put their names to the OAA, which is described as “a global alliance of technology and auto industry leaders committed to bringing the Android platform to cars starting in 2014″. The OAA will be focused on establishing a common platform for Android integration with connected cars.

    Google notes:

    We’re working with our partners to enable better integration between cars and Android devices in order to create a safer, car optimized experience. We’re also developing new Android platform features that will enable the car itself to become a connected Android device. Stay tuned for more details coming soon.

    As with Android, Google is a little late to the party here: back in June Apple confirmed it is working with car makers on an initiative called ‘iOS in The Car’ to enable iDevice owners to use their gadgets to do stuff like play music, display maps, dictate messages in their cars, starting in 2014.

    Car makers signed up to Apple’s earlier automotive initiative are a little more plentiful and include Honda, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Ferrari, Chevy, Infiniti, Kia, Hyundai, Volvo, Jaguar, and Acura. (So Honda and Hyundai are playing in both camps.)

    The first cars with “Android integration” are expected by the end of this year, according to the OAA’s inaugural release (it does not say which car maker is expected to be first).