Radio is the subject of a flurry of news releases at CES — though you may have to expand your definition of the word “radio” in this case. Here are several more:
—TuneIn Radio joined the list of smartphone apps compatible with Ford’s voice-controlled Sync system. TuneIn, a free service, provides access to 50,000 AM, FM, HD Radio and Internet radio stations as well as on-demand programs. As RW reports elsewhere, Ford also announced such an agreement with Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio platform at CES.
— Subaru of America is working with Aha, a platform from Harman that promises to make Web content safer for drivers. Harman exec Robert Acker describes Aha as a cloud-based platform that lets drivers use Internet content “just as safely as selecting a radio station.” Aha launched in 2008 and was subsequently acquired by Harman.
“Aha is powering the Web-connected ‘fourth band’ of radio, alongside AM, FM and satellite radio,” a release said. It will provide access to on-demand music from MOG and Rhapsody; Internet radio from Shoutcast, CBS Radio and Slacker along with other content including audio books, personalized traffic reports and social media.
Additionally it will be accessed through an optional in-car radio/infotainment system. There’s an app for iPhone, with an Android version planned.
— Verizon Wireless and Internet radio service Slacker are showing the Slacker Radio application for the Android tablet, optimized for 4G LTE connections. “A highly visual application, Slacker Radio for the Android tablet features a unique station tile display with horizontal and vertical scrolling along with the ability to preview stations before playing and an optimized ability to browse for content, making music discovery even easier.”
