April 4, 2012 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Acura to Offer Aha's Connected Infotainment Platform
Aha's integration with Acura RLX will bring Web-based content
safely to drivers, right through the radio
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Aha
by HARMAN, the infotainment platform that makes Web content safe for
drivers, has announced a partnership that will bring its highly
personalized listening experience to drivers of Acura RLX vehicles
beginning in model year 2013.
Aha, which lets drivers choose from tens of thousands of stations of
Web-based content, will be part of an all-new audio system being offered
in addition to Acura's award winning ELS Surround® sound system and will
be integrated via Bluetooth® smart phone pairing. Acura joins Honda and
Subaru as one of the first automakers to embed Aha's cutting-edge
technology.
"Our vision to safely connect drivers to the latest Web content is being
realized one leading automaker at a time," said Robert Acker, HARMAN VP
and General Manager of Aha. "Acura is known for using the latest
technology to improve the driving experience, and Aha is proud to be
chosen as the platform that will connect RLX drivers to the Web in a way
that makes sense at 65 miles per hour. Aha continually adds new stations
in the cloud, so Acura can be sure its customers will be getting
up-to-date infotainment for the life of their vehicles."
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, Facebook and
Twitter newsfeeds, personalized points of interest information and much
more. Aha delivers a unique infotainment experience by letting users
prioritize the stations they want, and customize audio stations like
"Hungry" and "Coffee" 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 phone 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 Aha service is currently live in the US, Canada, and Western Europe.
The group is working with multiple automotive and consumer electronics
manufacturers on additional integrations that will launch throughout the
year
Aha representatives are available this week at the New York
International Autoshow to demo the platform for press. Reporters who
would like to schedule a live demo can email press@aharadio.com
to book an appointment.
Aha is a part of HARMAN International (NYSE: HAR) the premium global
audio and infotainment group. For more information, images and news,
please visit Aha's
online press room.
About Aha by HARMAN
Aha, a unit of HARMAN International Industries, is the interactive
platform that makes Web content safe for drivers and as easy to use as
radio. 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 Ferrari, 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.
About HARMAN
HARMAN (www.harman.com)
designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment
solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets —
supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®,
Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark
Levinson®. The company is admired by audiophiles across
multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and
the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the
road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems.
HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas,
Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve
months ending December 31, 2011. The Company's shares are traded on the
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE:HAR.
© 2012 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights
reserved. Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson are
trademarks of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, registered
in the United States and/or other countries. AKG is a trademark of AKG
Acoustics GmbH, registered in the United States and/or other countries.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50229539&lang=en

Aha Radio
Hillary Murphy, 415-309-5061
press@aharadio.com
Source: HARMAN
News Provided by Acquire Media
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