Ford First to Integrate Slacker Radio App Providing In-Car Command and Control by Voice Using SYNC AppLink

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --  

• Slacker Radio joins the lineup of smartphone apps that Ford drivers can control with their voice through available SYNC® AppLink™
• Slacker Radio offers users the widest range of personalized music and information content through its free and subscription radio services

Ford drivers with SYNC® AppLink™ now have another entertainment option with the addition of Slacker Radio to the portfolio of available SYNC-compatible smartphone apps.

AppLink builds on the award-winning SYNC connectivity system by enabling drivers to access and control apps on their smartphones by simply using their voice and allowing their hands to stay on the steering wheel and their eyes on the road.

"Customers now have so many options for accessing music and information. Ford SYNC AppLink allows us to not only keep pace with what they are listening to, but how they are listening to it," said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services. "With its huge music library, Slacker Radio dramatically increases the content options for Ford drivers."

"Slacker listeners can create their own custom stations by selecting their favorite artists and songs, or listen to any of more than 150 stations curated by expert DJs who love the music they play," said Steve Cotter, senior vice president of Business Development at Slacker Radio. "When they're not in the mood for music, Slacker listeners can tune in to a wide variety of personalized talk content including personalized comedy, ABC News and ESPN Radio stations."

Slacker Radio offers a fully customizable and personal online radio experience that includes the most varied and compelling range of content offered by any interactive Internet radio service. The Slacker Radio experience includes over 150 expert-programmed music stations, ABC News, ESPN sports, comedy, custom artist-hosted showcase stations and leading music festival stations. Also, announced today in conjunction with ABC, Slacker lifestyle stations featuring lifestyle highlights from ABC's Good Morning America and ABC's key content partners will be available shortly. With exclusive interactive talk programming and a music catalog that is over ten times larger than the leading radio competitor, Slacker Radio gives listeners the ultimate personal radio experience.

Ford drivers will be able to use their voice or the audio system controls to select Slacker stations to play, skip songs, set favorites or even ban a song or artist they don't want to hear again. When driving into areas with limited or even no data connectivity, drivers can still listen to their favorite music by storing content directly to their phones for uninterrupted listening. In order to use Slacker with AppLink, drivers just need to update the Slacker Radio app on their smartphones to the latest version. Slacker with AppLink is now available on Android and BlackBerry with iOS pending approval. Download the SYNC-enabled version of Slacker today by visiting http://www.Slacker.com from a supported device or by searching the application store for Slacker Radio.

SYNC AppLink is available on the 2012 Ford Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Fiesta, Mustang, F-150, F-150 SVT Raptor, Super Duty, Expedition, E-Series and Shelby GT500. The 2012 Lincoln MKZ, MKZ Hybrid and Navigator feature SYNC AppLink as standard equipment. 

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

About Slacker, Inc.

Slacker offers the world's most complete range of radio services, featuring over 150 exclusive curated radio stations, a library of millions of songs as well as non-music interactive programming for comedy, ESPN Radio, ABC News and much more. Whether it's the award-winning free Slacker Basic Radio, or the fully-loaded subscription services Slacker Radio Plus and Slacker Premium Radio, listeners enjoy a unique, custom listening experience. Slacker enables music lovers to play highly personalized music online at the Slacker web site, on connected home devices or on-the-go with Slacker Personal Radio applications. Slacker mobile applications are available for Windows Phone 7, Windows Mobile, Palm webOS, Nokia, Android, iPhone, and BlackBerry smartphones. For more information visit: http://www.Slacker.com/about.

For regular Slacker updates follow Slacker at www.Twitter.com/SlackerRadio, become a Fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SlackerRadio, check out custom videos at www.YouTube.com/Slacker or visit www.Slacker.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company