Passengers in the same car listening to different channels? The in-vehicle sound system, which concentrated channel choice on the driver, is changing. Harman has released a product called HARMAN Ready StreamShare.
The interior of a car has become a multi-generational gathering place despite being a single family. Millennial and Generation X family members coexist with Generation Z and alpha generation children, creating a multi-user environment.
Nevertheless, until now most in-car audio systems were designed for single-source playback. It became common for the driver to listen to the radio while family passengers enjoy their own content on their smartphones. Families riding in a car want individual choice over media while also wanting to spend time together, coordinate plans, or converse even while wearing headphones.
Changes in consumer habits have also changed expectations for the in-vehicle experience. Beyond the functions traditionally offered, vehicles need to evolve into environments where media, communication and productivity are smoothly connected.
In line with these changes, Harman, a global leader in automotive technology and a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics (Samsung Electronics), has launched HARMAN Ready StreamShare, an in-vehicle audio and communication solution.
HARMAN Ready StreamShare is a solution that seamlessly integrates multiple personal devices' media into the vehicle audio environment. Unlike traditional driver-centric single-source systems, HARMAN Ready StreamShare integrates and manages audio streams and communications through a centralized in-vehicle hub. This provides every passenger with an immersive, personalized listening experience while making it easy to share listening.
HARMAN Ready StreamShare allows up to four passengers to connect their phones to the vehicle's central hub to create individual personal listening zones. Each passenger can listen privately through Harman's ultra-low-latency headphones included with the system or join another zone to enjoy media together.
Moreover, each passenger can switch hands-free from media listening to in-vehicle conversation without removing their headphones, and the driver announcement function can pause all active streams so all passengers hear an important message.
Connect, listen and communicate are integrated into HARMAN Ready StreamShare.
Powered by Harman's patented wireless audio ultra-low-latency streaming technology, HARMAN Ready StreamShare lets conversations continue naturally without interruption even when using headphones. It supports sharing newly liked music, joining group chats, and the driver delivering important information to all passengers so in-car occupants can continue various activities naturally without losing communication. It offers natural human connection beyond simple audio.
Zafar Razzacki, product management director for HARMAN Ready StreamShare, said, "Families in vehicles now expect cars to operate in line with a personalized, highly connected and shared digital lifestyle," and noted, "HARMAN Ready StreamShare lets users freely use personal devices while sharing connectivity to make travel time more enjoyable and practical. Built on deep user insights and breakthrough innovation, this solution positions Harman as a leader in easy-to-use, meaningfully impactful in-vehicle audio experiences."
HARMAN Ready StreamShare delivers a new level of intelligent in-vehicle audio experience designed for how people listen, share and communicate in cars today.
HARMAN Ready StreamShare enhances connectivity within the cabin to transform the vehicle into an intelligent hub for media and communication. Based on a scalable solution, it enables automakers to deliver smarter, adaptive experiences that evolve with strengthened connectivity and meet rising user expectations across vehicle lineups.
HARMAN Ready StreamShare supports up to four personalized media zones through a central Bluetooth connectivity hub. Paired with the HARMAN Ready StreamShare mobile app, passengers can individually listen to music or enjoy media with companions, continue conversations hands-free without removing headphones, freely join or leave group chats. This reflects how modern families interact while traveling by car. For drivers and parents, this flexible mode of communication allows them to feel connection and harmony with passengers or children even when each is absorbed in their own activity.
Based on this seamless connectivity, HARMAN Ready StreamShare supports real-time media sharing among passengers so anyone in one zone can invite others to listen together. If the driver needs to deliver an announcement to all passengers, they can execute Driver Announcement from the app with a single tap to pause all streams and activate visual cues. This feature lets the driver deliver a clear, focused message without raising their voice or disrupting driving.
HARMAN Ready StreamShare is compatible with the in-vehicle features and brand experiences Harman already offers and can be easily integrated into vehicle architectures. By combining moments of personal listening and sharing, HARMAN Ready StreamShare helps automakers differentiate interiors with a distinct new audio experience that is recognizable to consumers and scalable across vehicle lineups. It is flexibly designed to expand user experience by adding support for passengers without personal devices or children, including parental controls. In the future, HARMAN Ready StreamShare will support new user scenarios such as connecting to external Bluetooth speakers at campsites or tailgate parties, or integrating with future vehicle accessories like smart baby carriers and smart car seats that can stream lullabies or white noise.
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