Volvo is introducing Apple Music to more than 2 million vehicles. – The border between your cell phone and your car is still blur. Volvo has announced that it is rolling out an airborne software update that brings Apple Music music directly to the infotainment systems in more than 2 million vehicles worldwide. Apple Music will be another integrated aspect of Volvo’s software experience, allowing qualified drivers to stream music natively from their car’s built-in system rather than using Apple CarPlay or plugging in an iPhone.
The update is arriving for a wide range of Volvo vehicles, including the EX90, ES90, XC90, S90, V90, XC60, S60, V60, XC40, EX40 and EC40, spanning model year 2020 onwards. Availability, however, may vary based on the car.
Adding another streaming music app might not seem like a big deal at first. But it underlines how modern cars are increasingly being regarded like linked computing platforms, where new features emerge through software updates rather than necessitating new hardware.
Apple Music becomes a built-in component of the driving experience
The primary advantage of native Apple Music support is ease. Drivers no longer need to connect an iPhone using Apple CarPlay or Bluetooth only to access their playlists. Once signed in, consumers may browse Apple’s repertoire of more than 100 million songs right from the vehicle’s entertainment display, enabling a more seamless experience throughout regular commutes and long road trips.
To mark the release, Volvo is also offering discounted access to Apple’s streaming service. Customers who are new to Apple Music can receive up to three months free, while qualified returning members who have been away from the service for at least a month can claim two months free. The deal remains available until July 6, 2027.
Additionally, some of Volvo’s high-end electric cars include upgraded audio systems. When the optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system is installed, the EX60, EX90, and ES90 will feature Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, enabling compatible Apple Music songs to be played in immersive surround sound. Additionally, Volvo claims that when sales start later this year, the recently released EX60 will come pre-installed with Apple Music. Volvo is introducing Apple Music to more than 2 million vehicles.
Cars are becoming software platforms, not simply cars
There is much more to this statement than just music streaming. Automakers now distribute new features in a whole different way thanks to over-the-air updates. What once required a dealership visit can now arrive overnight with a software update. This strategy was made famous by Tesla years ago, and conventional automakers have gradually adopted it, treating cars more like cellphones that keep changing after they are bought.
For Apple, the alliance increases the reach of its services business beyond phones, tablets and laptops. For Volvo, it boosts its increasing position as a software-first automaker, particularly as it keeps creating vehicles around Google’s Android Automotive platform.
Consumers also expect to benefit. Entertainment systems feel less like accessories and more like an integrated part of the car thanks to native apps, which also simplify driving and lessen reliance on cellphones.
As software becomes one of the primary competitive advantages in the automotive business, partnerships like these are likely to become increasingly widespread. The next major improvement to your car might not include a more powerful engine or a larger battery. It might just show up when your automobile is parked for the night. Volvo is introducing Apple Music to more than 2 million vehicles.
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