Select Audi models to get Apple Music integration

MANILA: Apple Music, a premium music streaming subscription service, is being integrated directly into select Audi models. Users can access their subscription directly from the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) screen using in-car internet data.

Customers may access their personal Apple Music account from their Audi infotainment system without the need for a Bluetooth or USB connection. Apple Music subscribers may access a catalog of 90 million songs and tens of thousands of playlists, including hundreds of new mood and activity playlists, tailored mixes, and genre stations, all ad-free.

In a statement, Audi Product Marketing Head Christiane Zorn said, “Integrating Apple Music into the Audio infotainment system marks the next step in the collaboration between Audi and Apple. For our customers, it means that we are offering them direct access to their own personalized listening experience. This is our understanding of a premium digital in-car experience. At Audi we are systematically driving the digitalization of the vehicle and we are convinced that the interior is increasingly developing into a third living space.”

Almost all Audi vehicles in Europe, North America, and Japan starting with the 2022 model year will have Apple Music integration. This feature will be made available to vehicles already on the road through an automatic over-the-air update.

To activate the service, customers only have to open the Apple Music Music app in their Audi's infotainment system and follow the on-screen instructions to sign in with the Apple ID they use for Apple Music. They only have to enter a verification code sent to their phone to complete the setup process. For Audi owners in Europe, cellular data streaming fees are conveniently charged through a Cubic-Telekom data plan. The first three gigabytes are free of charge.

Apple CarPlay is also available in Audi vehicles. Drivers can link their iPhone wirelessly (or through USB) and use Siri voice control to get traffic-aware directions, make phone calls, send and receive messages, and play music.

With Apple Music integration, the vehicle serves not only as a space for streaming entertainment, but also as a concert hall on wheels, thanks to its advanced audio architecture, making passengers feel like they are seated right in the middle of it all. This is because Audi customizes each model's acoustic performance, and digital signal processing ensures a well-balanced sound. The signals from the speakers, for example, can be adjusted with an individual time offset so that they reach the listener simultaneously. Sound design goes even further to provide the best acoustic experience. This is where the Audi sound designers tweak the frequency response to achieve the signature Audi sound, which is still subjective. Audi has collaborated with Bang & Olufsen in this area for many years, leading to the development of some remarkable sound systems, such as the B&O Premium Sound System with 3D sound in the Audi e-tron GT. There are 16 speakers in all, including 3D sound speakers, a center speaker, and a subwoofer.

Photos from Audi

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