General Motors announced its budget-priced Chevy Spark will offer TuneIn Radio Internet Radio next year. And Livio will provide the software or “middleware” connection to the service.
TuneIn is an up and coming app that provides access to more than 70,000 radio stations around the world without service fees. It has 40 million active users, largely in the U.S. Pandora, by contrast, has over 56 million active users.
Livio is not only an Internet Radio service and radio equipment supplier, but it also provides a middleware platform for apps for OEM use by the auto makers.
“This is our first major OEM announcement, and it’s with one the world’s largest auto makers,” said Livio founder and CEO Jake Sigal. “Livio helps speed up the development process for GM, ultimately getting consumers the technology they want, safely in the vehicle.”
TuneIn will be available on 2013 Chevy Sparks equipped with MyLink Radio. Livio Connect technology bridges the app, featured on iPhone and Android mobile devices, with MyLink. While connected through Livio Connect, all of the TuneIn buttons and controls from the mobile device will be available on MyLink’s seven-inch touch screen, while the app on the phone itself will be disabled to help promote safer driving.
For more see General Motor’s press release here.
Source: Livio
