British streaming radio service Radioplayer has inked a deal with Ford to be part of the carmaker’s Sync AppLink platform as it launches in the UK. There’s a customised version of Radioplayer for Ford cars, which involves pairing a smartphone then controlling the app with voice commands – similar to the AppLink-enabled apps for Spotify and other digital music services. Connected cars and streaming radio (including Pandora as well as traditional stations) have been popular in the US for some time, but Radioplayer is hoping Ford’s launch of models in the UK will spur similar demand here. “Our co-operation with Radioplayer is the next step to appeal to the fast growing number of internet radio fans who want to take their favourite online stations into their cars and vans,” said Ford Britain’s marketing director Anthony Ireson. There are some interesting stats in the announcement though: half of Ford cars sold in the UK now include DAB digital radios, with 500k sold in the last six years. That’s a competing technology to apps like Radioplayer streaming over 3G and 4G networks.
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Tools: Kaiber
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