Ford is already integrating Pandora into 2011 cars with its Sync system. Now Toyota has announced the same from 2011 CES in Las Vegas. Specifically, it will provide the personalized internet radio service into its Entune multimedia system which is compatible with the majority of smart phones with a data plan. Entune will also offer HD Radio (adding to its Scion offshoot, which has offered HD Radio since 2008), which will include iTunes Tagging.
The first Toyota vehicles featuring Pandora will be announced later this year. The automaker previously announced it would integrate Clear Channel’s iheartradio mobile app into select 2011 models.
The Entune platform will allow drivers and passengers to use voice commands to perform tasks, such as listening to their Pandora radio stations, looking up directions with GPS and incorporation with other websites.
Specifically, drivers can install an Entune app on their Android, iPhone, or BlackBerry smartphone to communicate via a touch screen on the dash. The system connects via USB to portable media players and iPhones and uses Bluetooth to connect to smartphones.
At this point, Toyota dashboard apps also include Bing, Open Table and MovieTickets.com. Sports scores and updates and stock quotes will also be available via Entune.
Pandora now has more than 75 million registered users who listen to the free, personalized radio service via their smartphones, computers, iPads, Blu-ray players and TVs.
