AT&T announced the addition of six new applications to its connected car platform, the AT&T Drive. The most recent applications to find their way to the AT&T Drive are AccuWeather, Glympse, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Streetline, Inc. with the Parker™ app, and Tribune Digital Ventures. According to AT&T, automakers can choose to include these applications on their 'connected car' offerings, providing their consumers a wider choice of in-vehicle digital services.
AT&T Drive offers a wide range of services, ranging from connectivity and billing solutions to data analytics, infotainment, and firmware over the air updates which are delivered via the Drive's cloud-based app platform that is speech-enabled and designed for use during driving. The addition of these applications will enhance its connected car platform in terms of service richness, for example, with AccuWeather, drivers can access information on localized current conditions, hourly, and five-day forecasts while with Glympse, car drivers can share their dynamic location in real-time with anyone. iHeartRadio offers an all-in-one digital radio service with access to thousands of live radio stations from across the country and Newsbeat by Tribune Digital Ventures provides personalized audio streams of the day’s top articles from leading newspapers and websites. The other two apps, Stitcher and Parker deliver customized radio service and parking guidance, respectively.
AT&T said that apart from the addition of these applictions, it has also entered into a sponsorship agreement with TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) for its Drive Studio’s navigation system development initiative.
"Each of these apps provides an enhanced in-car experience for users while also keeping driver safety top of mind. AT&T Drive’s app selection was developed so that drivers could make more informed decisions while they are driving to help them (not only to navigate from) point A to point B safely, but do so as efficiently and comfortably as possible.”
- Chris Penrose, senior vice president, Emerging Devices