PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aha™ by HARMAN announced today that it has partnered with Fishidy and has rolled out ParkVisitor’s services, expanding its already robust content pipeline. Aha uses the HARMAN Cloud Platform to enable Web-based entertainment and information in vehicles using a radio-like format that is familiar to drivers. More than 40,000 music and non-music programs that span from live radio stations to podcasts and audiobooks from the Web are delivered straight to the car's dashboard through a seamless connection with an Aha smartphone app for iOS and Android systems.
With top content partners like Yelp and TripAdvisor, Aha also provides location-based services (LBS) that drivers can easily access like other dashboard features. These innovative LBS features help drivers in transit search and select services they need while on the go like cafes, top-rated restaurants, hotel accommodations and the best fuel prices in a forward-facing search. The partnership with ParkVisitor allows drivers to also locate nearby recreational parks and provides them with ratings for each park derived from the website’s users and the experts in their networks.
"There are over a billion visits to recreational parks every year, and we want to make the information about where those parks are, and what facilities they include, available to consumers on the go,” said Shari Boyer, CEO of Good Solutions Group, parent company of ParkVisitor.com. “Aha is an innovative and easy-.to-use way to have these resources at your fingertips."
A new LBS partner joining the Aha platform is Fishidy, a map-based, online fishing community where anglers can share their successes, favorite spots, and learn from one another. Fishidy allows customers tovaluable fishing tips, brief descriptions and driving directions to over 8,000 mapped waterways across the U.S.
“Our site allows anglers the chance to eliminate unproductive time on the water through detailed fishing maps and tools to help track and log patterns and experiences. With Aha, this service is delivered directly to the driver at exactly the right time he needs it while on the road,” said Brian Jensen, President of Fishidy. “We’re excited to be part of Aha’s location-based services, reaching millions of anglers as they’re on their way to the next big catch!”
Consumers today are accustomed to accessing their favorite Web content and location-based services wherever they go and whenever they want. The vehicle space should be no exception. It is where many people, on a daily basis, spend at least two hours of their time commuting to work, running errands, transporting their loved ones and simply getting to where they need to be. Extending access to Internet-delivered content inside a vehicle in transit in a driver appropriate way (ease of use in a 65 mile-an-hour setting) is a top priority for Aha.
This drive for innovation is a key reason why the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®), producer of the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, has named Aha an International CES Innovations 2014 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree. Aha’s win is one of the eight prestigious 2014 CES Innovation awards presented to HARMAN. Products from HARMAN’s JBL, Harman Kardon, Infinity and AKG were also recognized for outstanding design and engineering in consumer electronics.
About ParkVisitor.com
ParkVisitor.com was created by outdoor lovers for outdoor lovers. At ParkVisitor.com you can find information and ratings for over 5,000 parks across the nation. Parks are scored by an algorithm that takes into account user reviews of parks, along with expert reviews, and a read of social media. Created by Good Solutions Group, ParkVisitor.com is the ultimate campfire hangout for park lovers.
About Fishidy
Located in Madison, WI, Fishidy is a premier mobile and online fishing guide built on social networking,mapping, and location-based technology- bringing anglers together to catch more fish. For details visit http://www.fishidy.com or contact Brian Jensen at 855.347.4439, info@fishidy.com.
About Aha by HARMAN
Aha is an interactive service of HARMAN International Industries that makes Web content as easy and safe to use as radio. Aha uses the Harman Cloud Platform to turn Web content* into personalized radio stations that consumers can listen to from anywhere – at home, on the go, or safely from the driver’s seat. There are over 2 million Aha-enabled vehicles on the road and Aha is working with more than 10 automotive manufacturers who represent more than 50 percent of all cars sold in the USA/Canada and up to 30 percent of cars in Europe. By the end of 2013, Aha will be offered in over 50 models of vehicles including Acura, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Porsche, Scion, Subaru and Toyota. Aha is available in over 50 countries in North America, Europe, South Africa, South America and Australia through 47 mobile app stores and continues to work with automakers to deliver an "interactive 4th band of radio" experience. The Aha platform and service was started in 2008 in Silicon Valley by a group of Web and multimedia veterans, and was acquired by HARMAN in 2010. For more information, visit www.aharadio.com or find Aha on FaceBook, Twitter and Instagram.
About HARMAN
HARMAN designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of infotainment and audio solutions for the automotive, consumer, and professional markets. It is a recognized world leader across its customer segments with premium brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, and Mark Levinson® and leading-edge connectivity, safety and audio technologies. 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 14,900 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $4.5 billion for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013. The company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE:HAR.
*The number of stations available on Aha will vary based on country of use.
