Ford first with Kaliki app in-car integration for audio playback of newspapers and magazines

In 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated 140-million Americans spent more than two hours per day in their vehicles, with 50 minutes spent on commute time alone. With Kaliki Audio Newsstand, Ford drivers can stay on top of their favorite news and magazine stories without
taking their eyes off the road. Kaliki is a new smartphone app for Android devices that curates the top news stories from major newspapers and magazines and provides an audio version for on-demand playback in the vehicle.

"With people's lives getting busier and busier, there is unfortunately less time to sit down with your favorite newspaper or magazine and read, so Kaliki reads it to you," says Bruce Hopkins, Vice-President of Sales and Business Development for BT Software-Kaliki Audio Newsstand. "What makes Kaliki unique is the fact we have professional voices that read every story, making the content pleasing to the ear, just like listening to your favorite news radio station or podcast."

Kaliki partners with top publishers in a wide variety of media genres such as Shape Magazine, TV Guide, Men's Fitness, OK! and Agence France-Presse. BT Software also announces the rollout of local newspapers in Kaliki, starting with the Los Angeles and Detroit markets.

"Kaliki demonstrates how we can quickly work with new apps that are adding convenience to the lives of our customers and integrate them into the car through SYNC AppLink," said Doug VanDagens, Global Director of Ford Connected Services. "Ford's goal is to continuously add value to the vehicle through the addition of relevant content and services, such as the great media partners Kaliki brings, and to deliver an exceptional ownership experience."

Posted in: Accessories,Bruce Hopkins,BT Software,Doug VanDagens,Ford,International,Kaliki Audio Newsstand,Magazine,New Launch,Newspapers,US Census Bureau