Dive Brief:
- Entertainment metadata company Gracenote, which is the content data business unit of Nielsen, is launching Nexus Auto, a data platform for connected vehicle infotainment systems, according to a company press release.
- The platform, which is compatible with Android Automotive OS and other popular vehicle operating systems, features application programming interfaces that allow automakers to create customized entertainment options for their vehicles, from streaming music to movies.
- For automakers, Nexus Auto can simplify the process of integrating Gracenote metadata into vehicle infotainment systems, helping reduce development times and speed up time to market of new in-vehicle entertainment features.
Dive Insight:
Gracenote’s Nexus Auto APIs essentially serve as building blocks for automakers to create customized interfaces for vehicle infotainment systems. The integration of the company’s metadata allows drivers to engage with their favorite radio stations, music services or video streaming platforms via their car’s native interface that is similar to using a smartphone.
Gracenote’s MusicID metadata includes song titles, genres, album artwork, track length, lyrics and other data, according to the company's website. The company said the metadata can be used to deliver personalized recommendations based on individual content preferences, popularity or user activity via a driver-friendly interface.
MusicID can also access metadata from smartphone apps once a driver connects the device to their vehicle’s USB port. Once music stored on a mobile device is identified by Gracenote, machine learning algorithms scan the data to create playlists grouped by genre, tempo or other descriptors.
“Automakers today see a massive opportunity to drive brand loyalty and build consumer relationships by up-leveling the in-car entertainment experiences they deliver,” Trent Wheeler, Gracenote’s chief product officer, said in the press release.
Gracenote also offers analytics that provides automakers with data insights into how customers use their in-vehicle infotainment systems.
Gracenote radio metadata is available in over 200 countries and is currently used in the infotainment systems of vehicles from Audi, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz. In total, more than 250 million vehicles powered by Gracenote have shipped globally since it was first offered to automakers in 2001. Gracenote’s MusicID Recognition technology is available in 36.7% of all new cars sold today, according to the company.
