Now that iBiquity Digital and Emmis are working together more closely, here at CES they are demonstrating a platform that they say shows the benefits of interactive digital radio in a connected car.
The companies say their demo is the first combination of both analog and HD Radio broadcasting with NextRadio services.
The platform works for stations that are transmitting either analog or HD Radio signals. It showcases the so-called “connected car” by combining over-the-air radio services with the visual and digital capabilities of the NextRadio app.
IBiquity’s Joe D’Angelo describes it as taking the NextRadio live guide — the tiles that show users what station’s are playing in a market — and integrating those rather than pre-sets into the user experience, he tells Radio World. Other features that are part of the joint iBiquity-NextRadio auto platform are thumbs up/down, social media integration, a “buy” feature and enhanced tuning and discovery.
Emmis TagStation SVP Paul Brenner says, “By adding connectivity to broadcast radio, both analog and digital, for the built-in connected car and paired smartphone car we have been able to provide a rich suite of interactive services that connect people with radio” in a way they have not been before.
“By integrating both the HD Radio experience and the IP-delivered services of NextRadio, we’re benefiting all stations,” adds D’Angelo.
The auto demo comes four months after Emmis and iBiquity announced they would be working more closely. At CES, the companies are using the demo to show automotive and consumer electronics product planners and developers how consumers can benefit from digital broadcasting coupled with contextual, IP delivered services.
Emmis has quite a bit of real estate in the iBiquity booth this year at CES, in Central Hall #8232.