Pandora closes the box in Australia
Internet radio streaming service has closed its Australian operations leaving vehicle infotainment alliances in the lurchAdNews recently reported that internet music streaming service Pandora is ending its operations in the Australian and New Zealand markets.
The shutdown was announced close on the heels of Pandora CEO Tim Westergren leaving the company. Six months earlier, local managing director Jane Huxely stepped down and left Pandora ANZ with no announced leader to run the company.
As a service, Pandora globally boasts a subscriber base of 80 million plus, however only around 4.5 million use the paid subscription model. Contrast those numbers with the estimated 50 million Spotify subscribers.
In the five years Pandora was in this region, however, there were many deals made with automotive companies. Ford's Sync system with the Applink feature names Pandora as one of the key partnerships.
A Ford spokesperson told motoring.com.au: "The beauty of Applink system is that it works off what apps you have on your phone, unlike other system[s] where you need to install a separate app in your car infotainment system. So, there is no requirement from Ford perspective to make any changes to our Sync3 system. We have a partnership with Spotify so no other plans or announcements to make at this stage."
It is Holden that will feel the departure of the service more than most, with the company's MyLink system relying on Pandora as a central feature of streaming applications and prominent in the promotion of the infotainment system.
The good news is that modern in-car infotainment systems are both easier to update than they have ever been, as well as being less reliant on a single streaming data source than in the past. Owners can simply continue to stream entertainment via their smart-devices from the services to which they currently subscribe.
The main issue is loss of elegance and integration with the in-car system. Pandora integration meant that the streaming service could be chosen using the in-car infotainment system, now drivers in particular will need to plan their entertainment choices before starting the trip.
Motoring.com.au approached Holden for a reaction and future plans. At the time of writing there has been no reply.
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