Pandora CFO Calls Apple a 'Frenemy,' Says Music Service is Coming to CarPlay and Apple Watch

[MacRumors]

When Apple's CarPlay feature launched last year, Apple partnered with several music services to offer a variety of listening choices on the platform, including Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Rdio, and more.

Noticeably absent from CarPlay was Pandora, but that appears to be set to change. Pandora CFO Mike Herring spoke to Fox Business Network yesterday and said Pandora will "definitely be in CarPlay" and integrated into the Apple Watch as well.

Though Herring did not provide a timeline for the possible launch of a Pandora CarPlay app, his statement to Fox is the closest Pandora's come to revealing its plans for the platform. Last year, Pandora told MacRumors that Apple was a valued partner and though it did not have a CarPlay offering at the current time, it was exploring opportunities to expand its presence in the car in the future.

Speaking to Fox, Herring also spilled some details on Pandora's relationship with Apple, which hints at why there may have been a delay getting Pandora on CarPlay. According to Herring, the two companies have a "frenemy kind of relationship," possibly due to the similarities between Pandora and Apple's iTunes Radio.

Pandora, which owes part of its success to the popularity of its iPhone app, has a "frenemy kind of relationship going on" with Apple, according to Herring. "We were part of what made it fun to have an iPhone," Herring added. While the two companies are "close partners," it is a "very interesting relationship."

At the current time, there are still only a handful of CarPlay apps available, like Spotify, Beats Music, CBS Radio News, Umano, MLB.com At Bat, Overcast, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, and Rdio. If Pandora comes to CarPlay, it'll be the fourth non-Apple owned music app available.

CarPlay is still largely limited to aftermarket in-dash systems from companies like Alpine and Pioneer, as many automobile manufacturers are still working on integrating CarPlay into their vehicles. Of Apple's CarPlay partners, Audi, Volkswagen, and Hyundai have promised CarPlay-compatible cars will be available for purchase in 2015.

Article Link: Pandora CFO Calls Apple a 'Frenemy,' Says Music Service is Coming to CarPlay and Apple Watch

 

[farewelwilliams]

Frenemy usually means "I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do now."

 

[AnsonX10]

Pandora's music characteristics tech is much better than iTunes Radio's method. But Pandora's free sound quality is much worse than iTunes's free quality.

I used Pandora before iTunes Radio existed, but the sound quality just isn't fun to listen to. When I don't care what I'm listening to, I use iTunes Radio. When I don't care how I'm listening to it, I use Pandora. It depends what I'm in the mood for.
Dangling prepositions everywhere.

 

[grosfifsale]

"We were part of what made it fun to have an iPhone," Herring added.

I don't know ANYONE who has ever used Pandora and everyone I know has an iPhone.

 

[CEmajr]

"We were part of what made it fun to have an iPhone," Herring added.

I don't know ANYONE who has ever used Pandora and everyone I know has an iPhone.

Really? It's always been one of the most popular iOS apps, especially early on before all these other streaming services appeared. In fact I still use it more than iTunes Radio because it does a much better job at playing new songs and songs that are similar to the artist that I selected. iTunes Radio tends to have a lot of repeats of the same song and sometimes plays songs that are way off from the artist that I select.

 

[munpip214]

GM supports carplay

The 2nd generation chevy volt also supports carplay, coming out this year.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/12/7531105/chevrolets-2016-volt-has-carplay-support

 

[CaryMacGuy]

Thats all well in good for CarPlay but right now the only way to really get CarPlay is to install a Pioneer AVIC NEX system and they all offer Pandora integration...I really hope that iOS 9 brings a major enhancement to CarPlay...it is very 1.0. It has potential but it is not ready for prime time yet.

 

[goobot]

"We were part of what made it fun to have an iPhone," Herring added.

I don't know ANYONE who has ever used Pandora and everyone I know has an iPhone.

Opposite for me. Everyone has it.

 

[Alphabetize]

Pandora is still my favorite music discovery service actually, I use it all the time.

I use Spotify for specific music I don't currently own, I don't really like their radio service though.

I use iTunes for all the music I own, buying songs I've discovered on Pandora or elsewhere. I don't like iTunes Radio very much either.

 

[spyguy10709]

You know the Steve Jobs era is over when a company calls Apple a "frenemy" and expects to have a relationship with Cupertino moving forward.

 

[usersince86]

"Frenemies"?

Next comment from Pandora CFO: we are all about "smarketing!"

 

[larrylaffer]

I'm pretty sure the music industry considers Pandora a frenemy.

 

[d4rkc4sm]

plot twist: he is a 17-year old girl

 

[freediverx]

I'd love to see what Carplay might look like if Apple weren't forced to work with clueless hardware makers like Pioneer. These companies might know how to make decent sounding stereo equipment but their talent for designing hardware human interfaces is nonexistant.

Carplay reminds me of the Rokr, Apple's smartphone collaboration with Motorola. That product proved the point that Apple had to go it alone and control both the hardware and the software.

 

[pdqgp]

why would you put Pandora on your watch if the watch has to be tethered to your phone? why not just drive it from your phone then? the only advantage I see would be perhaps just controlling it remotely but even still, you're only allowed to skip so many songs, etc.... Just seems odd.

 

[Romey-Rome]

I have yet to see Beats on any carplay screen.

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why would you put Pandora on your watch if the watch has to be tethered to your phone? why not just drive it from your phone then? the only advantage I see would be perhaps just controlling it remotely but even still, you're only allowed to skip so many songs, etc.... Just seems odd.

So it can "tap" you to watch the ad. Duh.

 

[Keirasplace]

why would you put Pandora on your watch if the watch has to be tethered to your phone? why not just drive it from your phone then?

You can control it from your watch . So, the phone could be in your handbag, or back pocket in you select/control that way; maybe even controlling it with SIRI. That's certainly better than getting the phone out, opening it, and then fiddling with it and putting the phone back.

With bluetooth headphones connected to your phone, you thus control your streamed music without batting an eye, like having a Ipod on your wrist (except with streaming music). Actually, that is a very interesting use case.

 

[pdqgp]

You can control it from your watch . So, the phone could be in your handbag, or back pocket in you select/control that way; maybe even controlling it with SIRI. That's certainly better than getting the phone out, opening it, and then fiddling with it and putting the phone back.

Meh.....I'm just thinking of say when I'm at the gym. I get your point but they key to having a watch IMO is not to have to lug my phone with me.

With bluetooth headphones connected to your phone, you thus control your streamed music without batting an eye. Actually, that is a very interesting use case.

I stand by the fact that the iWatch needs it's own sim card. I use my Gear S that way at the gym without having to bring my phone at all. Just stream Milk Music from the watch to my BT Earbuds.

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So it can "tap" you to watch the ad. Duh.

haha!

 

[mariusignorello]

Thats all well in good for CarPlay but right now the only way to really get CarPlay is to install a Pioneer AVIC NEX system and they all offer Pandora integration...I really hope that iOS 9 brings a major enhancement to CarPlay...it is very 1.0. It has potential but it is not ready for prime time yet.

It's wireless at least

 

[Keirasplace]

Meh.....I'm just thinking of say when I'm at the gym. I get your point but they key to having a watch IMO is not to have to lug my phone with me.



I stand by the fact that the iWatch needs it's own sim card. I use my Gear S that way at the gym without having to bring my phone at all. Just stream Milk Music from the watch to my BT Earbuds.

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haha!

The gear S is 105% bigger in volume than the smallest watch and 80% bigger than the biggest one, so a huge butt ugly monster. BTW, if there is WIFI at your gym, the watch can be anywhere on the same network as the Iphone (that could be a hell of a distance). It also can be 100M+ from the Iphone on bluetooth. I wouldn't be surprised if eventually you can pair it even if you leave your phone at home, as long as there is a WIFI network around.

 

[Nermal]

Pandora is still my favorite music discovery service actually, I use it all the time.

Same here; I've discovered bands that I'd never even heard of, and it's resulted in iTunes purchases so everyone's happy (well, apart from Spotify, I guess... )

 

[PJL500]

Pandora beats iTunes Radio hands down (for me)

iTunes radio algorithms just don't get it. Probably fine for top 40 which is not my thing.

 

[Jakexb]

You know the Steve Jobs era is over when a company calls Apple a "frenemy" and expects to have a relationship with Cupertino moving forward.

Tim is all business. He'll keep them around as long as they're useful while developing the service that is intended to crush them.

 

[AustinIllini]

Get more songs, Pandora. Your algorithm is good but your library doesn't cut it.

 

[pdqgp]

The gear S is 105% bigger in volume than the smallest watch and 80% bigger than the biggest one, so a huge butt ugly monster.

Let's not go down a "volume" discussion please....LOL. Besides, the iWatch + an iPhone are much greater in "volume" that my Gear S period....no second device needed. While you're jogging with your phone flopping around, or riding bikes with a phone strapped to you, I'll enjoy not needing my Note 3 with me at all.

Appearance is subjective. I've had lots of compliments on it.

BTW, if there is WIFI at your gym, the watch can be anywhere on the same network as the Iphone (that could be a hell of a distance).

Again, still makes me bring my phone with me and keep it in my locker. I'd much rather not have to carry one period.

It also can be 100M+ from the Iphone on bluetooth. I wouldn't be surprised if eventually you can pair it even if you leave your phone at home, as long as there is a WIFI network around.

300ft BT reach? That would be news to me. WiFi wise it needs to be on the same network. Again, unless you share some more new news that I've not seen.