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Gracenote Powers First-Ever Voice-Activated, Mood-Based Music Listening for Ford SYNC AppLink Users
- Gracenote developers use Ford APIs to make HABU Music smartphone app available for Ford SYNC® AppLink™-equipped vehicles
- HABU Music is the first-ever app that enables drivers to play automatically generated playlists based on mood using voice commands
- HABU takes advantage of the enormous library of song metadata and music descriptors compiled by Gracenote
Using the Ford SYNC® AppLink™ API, Gracenote developers are providing drivers a unique way to rock out to music to match their mood – using simple voice commands with the HABU Music App. The latest HABU Music App software update will be available later this month.
The HABU smartphone app for iPhone makes it easy to navigate expansive music collections, letting drivers tap into their music to enjoy a playlist to fit just about any mood, without having to remember artist or track names.
“It’s great to see our partners and developers achieving success with the Ford developer program and demonstrating the ease of integrating AppLink into apps like HABU,” said Julius Marchwicki, global product manager for Ford SYNC AppLink. “Ford is dedicated to making it easy for developers to work with us, and we’re excited to add HABU to the AppLink platform, making it the first mood-based playlisting app available from any automaker.”
HABU takes advantage of the enormous library of metadata provided by Gracenote to analyze music collections and organize songs based on their mood characteristics. HABU groups songs into 25 moods that can be accessed using simple voice commands. When HABU is paired with SYNC AppLink, drivers can tap into automatically generated playlists by pressing the SYNC button on the steering wheel and saying “Play upbeat,” “Play rowdy,” “Play relaxing,” or whatever their mood might be.
“The SYNC AppLink APIs give our developers the tools to transform HABU from a visually rich experience on smartphones and tablets into one that is hands-free, driven by simple voice commands in Ford vehicles,” said Eric Allen, vice president of services at Gracenote. “The result of our work with Ford is a music experience that lets drivers keep their focus on the road while easily enjoying more of the music they have in their collection.”
A sample of moods and synonyms that drivers can request includes:
- Excited, happy, party, euphoric
- Rowdy, wild, loud
- Aggressive, hard, angry, triumphant
- Sensual, sexy, hot, sultry
- Cool, hip, funky
- Easygoing, carefree, cheerful, charming, friendly
- Romantic, sweet, heartfelt, love, loving
- Energizing, pump me up, pump it, dance, motivate
- Peaceful, calming, calm, soothing, relaxing, sleepy
- Somber, sad, dark, solemn, eerie
- Empowering, empowered, inspirational, uplifting, expressive, comforting
SYNC AppLink is available on more than 1.5 million Ford vehicles including Fiesta, Mustang, Edge, Explorer, Flex, Expedition, Transit Connect, Fusion, Taurus, F-150, Super Duty, Focus, E-Series and C-MAX hybrids.
Learn more about HABU Music: http://www.habumusic.com/
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 174,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.
About Gracenote
Gracenote, Inc. provides music and video content and technologies to the world’s hottest entertainment products and brands. Gracenote is the industry standard for music and video recognition and is supported by the largest source of music and video metadata, featuring descriptions of more than 180 million tracks and TV listings for 30+ countries. A wholly owned, independent subsidiary of the Sony Corporation of America (SCA), Gracenote has offices in Tokyo, Munich, Berlin, Seoul, Taipei and San Francisco with worldwide headquarters in Emeryville, Calif. For more information, visit our website www.gracenote.com or follow us at @GracenoteTweets and www.facebook.com/PoweredbyGracenote.