LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
- Greater Media is expanding the reach of 16 of its terrestrial radio stations by bringing them to the mobile Web with new smartphone streaming apps
- Available on select Ford vehicles, SYNC® AppLink™ drivers can now voice-command and control the smartphone apps to listen to their favorite radio stations from Boston, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Detroit and New Jersey while driving
Greater Media is bringing 16 of its top terrestrial radio stations to the mobile Web and Ford vehicles with the help of SYNC® AppLink™. Drivers can listen to their favorite radio stations from places like Boston, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Detroit and New Jersey wherever they are driving – all without touching their smartphone.
Greater Media has teamed up with jacAPPS to create customized apps for each of its stations on the two most popular smartphone platforms, Apple iOS and Google Android. Michigan-based jacAPPS is the recommended mobile app development house for the Ford Developer Program. Ford has selected jacAPPS to provide development and technical support to third-party developers wanting to create voice-activated smartphone apps for Ford SYNC AppLink.
"Listeners today still have favorite radio stations, but thanks to smartphones and mobile broadband, they are no longer tethered to traditional radios," said Tom Bender, senior vice president, Greater Media Interactive. "With our new apps, users can listen to a live stream of the same programming being transmitted over the airwaves or listen to on-demand content like interviews or favorite shows."
Once a driver connects his or her smartphone to a Ford vehicle via Bluetooth® or USB, SYNC AppLink allows for the control of selected apps by pressing the voice button on the steering wheel and using simple voice commands.
Live streams can be triggered by just saying, "Play stream" or "Stop stream," while on-demand podcasts are available by just saying the name of the program such as "Drew & Mike" for users listening to 101 WRIF in Detroit.
Greater Media has apps for the following stations covering a wide range of formats including news, sports, adult contemporary, rock and country:
- Boston – Magic 106.7, 105.7 Classic Hits WROR, Country 102.5 WKLB, 96.9 FM, WBOS 92.9
- Charlotte – WBT News-Talk 1110 AM, The Link 107.9
- Detroit – WCSX 94.7, WMGC 105.1, 101 WRIF
- New Jersey – WDHA 105.5, WRAT 95.5
- Philadelphia – WMGK 102.9, WMMR 93.3, 95.7 BEN-FM, 97.5 The Fanatic
More than 1 million Ford vehicles already on the road have SYNC AppLink built in. AppLink enables drivers to take advantage of their mobile data to stay connected while they keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
All of the Greater Media radio apps are available free of charge on the Google Play Store and Apple iOS App Store.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 172,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
About Greater Media, Inc.
Greater Media, Inc. is the parent company of 22 AM and FM radio stations in the Boston, Charlotte, Detroit, New Jersey and Philadelphia markets. It also owns a group of weekly newspapers in central New Jersey as well as several telecommunications towers located throughout the United States.
SOURCE Ford Motor Company