AM radio, eight-track, cassettes, CDs. The progression of in-car audio technology hasn’t seen many seismic transformations over the years. That is, until the rise of smartphone technology.
The proliferation of Apple, Android and Windows phones are so closely baked into our lives, it’s hard to think how we’d survive without one. It’s our hub for talking, texting and conversing with friends over social media. And it is fast replacing our CD collection, whether that’s through ripping the CD collection or downloading.
The last few years have seen the rise of streaming services. Operators such as Spotify and Deezer make it possible for you to play music directly from your phone as well as downloading it to play later.
Integration with home audio systems is more elegant than ever and most high-end audio systems from manufacturers across the board support the technology. The reasons for that are clear. According to eMarketer, a digital research firm, there are almost 31 million smartphones in the UK, representing 48.4 per cent of UK residents and 60.4 per cent of all mobile phones.
According to research company, ABI Research predicts that almost 51m cars with live streaming capabilities will be sold worldwide by 2017.
Rara is a relatively recent entrant, to the increasingly crowded market, but claims it is one of the largest by territory reach - it operates in 32 countries. The format of the standard system is familiar. Like Spotify, Deezer, Soundcloud and a number of other services, it allows users to stream and simultaneously download audio directly to a desktop computer, tablet or smartphone.
But where it differs is that thanks to a recent deal will BMW, Rara offers Europe’s first in-car, on-demand streaming service. That means that while other systems rely on the user’s smartphone to stream audio, which is then sent to the car’s audio system, the audio stream can be sent straight to the car via its own 3G connection.
The system is available as an option in a range of models stretching from 1-series to 7-series and BMW X5, which all use BMW’s Navigational system Professional. It is yet to roll out on i3, i8, BMW X1 and BMW X3 models, and Rara won’t be drawn on an agreement with Mini.
The system costs £325, which includes the system, 12 months' Rara subscription and unlimited data with no additional roaming fees in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Netherlands. Year two and beyond costs £225 annually, is understood to be renewable through BMW dealerships, but as it hasn't been rolled out long enough to be a concern, there's no firm view.
By contrast, computer-only contracts cost £4.99 a month, while ‘all-device’ contracts cost £9.99 a month, but both could be subject to additional data charges, depending on the mobile or broadband contract.
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how much!!
buying a cheap phone on an all you can eat data plan and you have the same.... plus you can take it anywhere. Hell, even buying an iphone is a cheap option compared to this!
iPod
You just need the compatiable
Its no more distracting than playing a CD.
Obviously the luddites on here will be steaming up the windows and screaming at the irresponsible drivers that adopt this technolgy as they drive along in cars listening to the beautifual tone of their manual choke!