At CES, iHeartRadio Voice Assistant and Auto Integrations Debut

LAS VEGAS — The 2023 Consumer Electronics Show is officially gearing up for the annual event’s biggest days, and with the thousands of people expected to walk through the Las Vegas Convention Center over the next two days, iHeartMedia seeks to gain attention by launching a new series of voice assistant and automotive integrations for its iHeartRadio app and desktop streaming service.

The new integrations “continue iHeart’s promise to be everywhere its listeners are,” the company said on Wednesday.

Leading the rollout is iHeartMedia EVP of Digital Distribution and Platform Partnerships John Vermeer. 

In total, five integrations and partnerships were announced by iHeartMedia.

• Mobility AI company Cerence and iHeartRadio are collaborating to deliver “new and innovative paths” to access iHeartRadio’s full portfolio of audio content to automakers and their drivers. Cerence is known for its voice recognition and “natural language understanding.”
• Auto brand Fisker will now include a iHeartRadio streaming app in the entertainment system of the Fisker Ocean all-electric SUV, which features a 17.1-inch touchscreen
• Native Voice, an on-demand voice assistant library that enables users to communicate directly by voice with their favorite brands, is teaming with iHeartRadio to offer direct access to its live and on-demand music, radio and podcast content via voice. Early this year, anyone with a Skull-IQ enabled Skullcandy device (Grind, Grind Fuel, Push Active) can simply say “Hey iHeart” for immediate, hands-free access to iHeartRadio content without having to download the iHeart app. Users can simply say, “Hey iHeart, play Elton John radio” to enjoy instant streaming of their favorite artist station or “Hey iHeart, play WMGF” to stream local live radio and connect with their community. Over time, users will also be able to select music by mood or genre and play select podcasts.
• A TomTom Digital Cockpit integration will now allow car manufacturers to offer iHeartRadio through a single interface, giving drivers access to personal playlists, podcasts and live radio stations. CES attendees can visit the TomTom display at Booth W311 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
• Smart EV brand VinFast will include the iHeartRadio app in the infotainment system of every VinFast electric vehicle sold in the United States, which are scheduled to come to market in “early 2023.” CES attendees can check out the integration in action by catching a free VinFast Chauffeured ride operating between designated hotels and the LVCC or by visiting VinFast Booth 5501 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendees who stop by the booth on Thursday afternoon will enjoy an iHeart DJ spinning live.

RBR+TVBR Publisher Deborah Parenti is attending 2023 CES while radio industry veteran Buzz Knight is offering reports from the expo floor for Streamline Publishing’s Radio Ink. Be sure to visit Radio Ink for more from Las Vegas!