GENEVA, Mar 06, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Aha by HARMAN, the first interactive platform that makes web content safe for drivers, today announced that it will begin rolling out service in Western Europe by the end of the month. INRIX(R) and TripAdvisor(R) have reached agreements with Aha to deliver European content to the Aha platform further expanding the vast array of content available through Aha. Both services will be accessible through Aha in Europe later this year.
INRIX, the leading international provider of traffic information and intelligent driver services, which already provides Aha’s U.S. users live, customized traffic reports, will now deliver European traffic information through Aha. TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, will provide content to the Aha platform for the first time both in Western Europe and the US. Millions of reviews and opinions of restaurants, hotels and attractions from the TripAdvisor travel community will be available in these regions, in English as well as other languages.
Aha is powering the Web-connected “fourth band” of radio, alongside terrestrial (AM/FM) and satellite radio. Aha users can choose from tens of thousands of audio stations, including web content like Internet radio, on-demand music, live news, podcasts, audio books, personalized traffic reports, Facebook and Twitter newsfeeds, restaurant information and much more. Aha delivers a unique infotainment experience by letting users prioritize the stations they want, and customize audio stations like “Hungry”, “Coffee” and “Traffic” to suit their tastes. When Aha is connected to a compatible in-car entertainment system, the users’ top stations become radio preset buttons, so drivers can put down the phones and safely switch between stations just like traditional radio. When they arrive at their destination and exit the car, users can continue enjoying their content from the smart phone. The first new cars with Aha integrations will begin shipping this fall, and after market stereos with Aha integrated are available today.
“Aha is continuously adding content to the platform to deliver the information and entertainment users want on the go,” said Robert Acker, HARMAN VP and General Manager of Aha from the Geneva Motor Show. “INRIX and TripAdvisor will bring best-in-class travel information to Aha users, many of whom use Aha on the road. Aha is delivering on its vision of revolutionizing radio for the Internet age, and giving consumers a seamless media experience on any device, including the car.”
At the Geneva Motor Show, Aha executives are available to demonstrate Aha’s new apps on smart phones and through integrations with OEM and aftermarket automotive entertainment systems. Press who would like to schedule a live demo can email press@aharadio.com to book an appointment.
Aha is a part of HARMAN International /quotes/zigman/228755/quotes/nls/har HAR -2.48% the premium global audio and infotainment group. For recent news, images, videos and more, please visit Aha’s online press room
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor(R) is the world’s largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 50 million unique monthly visitors*, and over 60 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to TripAdvisor’s millions of monthly visitors.
TripAdvisor, Inc. /quotes/zigman/7619815/quotes/nls/trip TRIP -2.35% manages and operates websites under 18 other travel media brands, and together the sites attract more than 65 million unique monthly visitors**. TripAdvisor’s travel media brands include: www.airfarewatchdog.com , www.bookingbuddy.com , www.cruisecritic.com , www.familyvacationcritic.com , www.flipkey.com , www.holidaylettings.co.uk , www.independenttraveler.com , www.onetime.com , www.seatguru.com , www.sniqueaway.com , www.smartertravel.com , www.travelpod.com , www.virtualtourist.com , and www.kuxun.cn .
About Aha by HARMAN
Aha, a unit of HARMAN International Industries, is the first interactive platform that makes web content safe for drivers. Aha organizes content from the web into personalized, live and on-demand radio stations that consumers can listen to from anywhere — at home, on the go, or safely from the driver’s seat. Aha is currently working with five automotive manufacturers who will be launching model 2013 vehicles with consumer services based on Aha’s cloud-based platform, including Honda and Subaru. The Aha Platform and Service was started in 2008 by a group of web and multimedia veterans with a shared passion for delivering an “always-on” audio experience to connect drivers to the content they really want. HARMAN, the company that designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets, acquired Aha in September 2010. For more information, visit www.aharadio.com .
