NPR One for Android gains MirrorLink compatibility

NPR One for Android has gained MirrorLink compatibility, offering users yet another way to listen while on the go. Through the use of a free app from MirrorLink, RockScout, you can now control how you listen to NPR One right from your dashboard. For those not familiar, MirrorLink offers a way to bring your smartphone content to your dashboard, and is not OS specific like Android Auto and CarPlay.

The addition of MirrorLink compatibility means that the app is driver-aware and controllable through touch and rotary-know infotainment systems, allowing you to keep your phone out of your hands. You can download NPR One from Google Play, as well as the free RockScout by MirrorLink app.

Press release:

MirrorLink RockScout app delivers a wealth of Android audio to MirrorLink-enabled cars and smartphones

October 15, 2015 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starting today, NPR One users can take advantage of easy and ethical connectivity to their car dashboards via MirrorLink® RockScout, a simple download that makes participating Android audio apps MirrorLink-compatible. The Car Connectivity Consortium, creators of MirrorLink, made the announcement as more and more of the world's most useful apps become available in the MirrorLink ecosystem.

"Due to its highly customizable nature, NPR One is a great way for listeners to get public radio national and international coverage and their local station's news, as well as their favorite podcasts, wherever they are on their phones, tablets, wearables and cars," said Joel Sucherman, Senior Director of Digital Products at NPR. "Compatibility with MirrorLink makes NPR One driver-aware and accessible via large icons that conform to established guidelines in driver distraction. As a car connectivity standard, MirrorLink offers the added benefit of wide-scale handset and vehicle interoperability."

RockScout leverages Media Browser Service, a standard Android API, to make Android audio apps compatible with MirrorLink. MirrorLink compatibility means apps are driver-aware and controllable via touch and rotary-knob infotainment systems. The Android application can be enabled without further development or integration, and the solution is free and open-source.

"Access to NRP One is a major turning point for the MirrorLink app ecosystem," said Alan Ewing, President and Executive director of the CCC. "RockScout has attracted the attention of some of the world's most iconic music and audio brands because, with zero integration, the platform extends access to millions more potential subscribers."

MirrorLink is the most ingenious way to bring smartphone content to the dash. Huge icons make apps easy to use and smart technology knows if the car is in Park or Drive. Designed for maximum interoperability between a wide range of smartphones and cars, MirrorLink is the only OS- and OEM-agnostic standard for car-smartphone connectivity where no single entity has a controlling stake.

To download RockScout, click here. To download NPR One for Android, click here. For general information, please visit www.mirrorlink.com.

Jared DiPane
Jared started off writing about mobile phones back when BlackBerry ruled the market, and Windows Mobile was kinda cool. Now, with a family, mortgage and other responsibilities he has no choice but to look for the best deals, and he's here to share them with you.