Amazon and Ford Bring The Cloud to The Car

[img_assist|nid=23766|title=The Amazon Cloud Player is coming to a Ford Fiesta near you|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=150|height=99]Amazon has teamed up with car maker Ford to bring the Amazon Cloud Player to Ford SYNC Applink-equipped vehicles.

The move means that Ford owners can wirelessly connect the Amazon MP3 app on their Android smartphone to the SYNC connectivity system to access their Cloud Player music library in their car using voice commands or the audio controls. Users will be able to play music stored in the Cloud Player or on their mobile at 256kbps audio. Ford Applink-equipped vehicles include the 2013 Ford Fiesta, Mustang, Focus, E-Series, C-MAX Hybrid, Expedition, Fusion, F-150 and Super Duty models. 

“We want customers to be able enjoy their entire music library wherever they want, from whatever device they choose. And we know that cars and music go hand-in-hand. That’s why we’re excited to bring Cloud Player to the car,” said Steve Boom, Amazon’s vice president of digital music.

The integration of Amazon Cloud Player and Ford cars is the latest in a series digital music launches from Amazon. Earlier this year, it announced AutoRip, giving customers free MP3 versions of eligible CDs they buy from Amazon, including past purchases dating back to 1998, which are automatically added to their Cloud Player libraries.

In December 2012, Amazon launched Cloud Player for Roku and Samsung, following the August launch of Cloud Player on Sonos home entertainment systems, and June launches of Cloud Player for iPhone and iPod touch. And in July 2012, Amazon launched ‘Scan & Match’ technology that enables customers to import music into Amazon Cloud Player by scanning their iTunes and Windows Media Player libraries and matching eligible songs on their computers to Amazon’s music catalogue.