One of the biggest stories so far in the year 2020 is the continued changes to radio integration in the car dashboard.
At the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in Las Vegas, iHeartRadio announced a series of major auto integrations for the company’s digital music, podcasting, and on-demand/live streaming radio service.
“[In] 2020 we will continue to expand our audio offerings and connect with more and more marquee technology companies to provide a seamless, unmatched audio experience to consumers,” said Michele Laven, president of the Strategic Partnerships Group for iHeartMedia.
[Read: Radio Seeks Its Future in the Vehicle]
Among the key integrations is a new standalone app for vehicles powered by Android Automotive OS. The app will be available for integration in the Volvo XC40 Recharge SUV and the electric performance car Polestar 2. The company is also linking up with BMW and General Motors to release a new app for the BMW ConnectDrive system and a new integration for future Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicle models.
While iHeartRadio currently offers an in-vehicle experience for GM cars, the new app will be expanded to include access to podcasts and playlists in addition to live radio and a custom artist radio channel.
At the CES show, iHeartRadio also announced its status as an ecosystem partner with several new third-party auto integration companies. iHeartRadio plans to join forces on the Harman Ignite Marketplace, which links together in-vehicle apps and offers services like navigation, messaging, and media, as well as with LG on its webOS Auto platform, a rear-seat entertainment system.
The company also plans to work with SoundHound to bring iHeartRadio’s content to SoundHound’s Houndify voice AI platform and app and with Panasonic, by which iHeartRadio will be integrated into several next-generation in-vehicle experiences via the Panasonic infotainment platform experience SkipGen.
The 2020 CES show runs from January 7–10 in Las Vegas.
