Xtone voice platform aids Ford AppLink USA TODAY app

Xtone announced that its Xavi™ voice assistant platform is being used to power playback of audio headlines in the USA TODAY app that is integrated with Ford SYNC AppLink™.

With simple voice commands, users can access, navigate, search and listen to morning and evening editions of the USA TODAY headline content in a rich audio format via a hands-free, eyes-free experience. “The USA TODAY app shows how smartphone apps can add convenience to the driving experience using voice control through SYNC AppLink,” said Julius Marchwicki, global product manager for Ford SYNC AppLink.

Drivers can hear the latest top headlines across their favorite categories such as News, Money, Sports, Life, Tech and Travel. They can play, pause, skip, or go back within and between stories to customize the listening experience even further. Drivers can tell their car, “Play news story” or “Listen to sports stories.” Users can customize their news or opt to skip stories as well.

“USA TODAY is leading the way in mobile publishing by making its content available to drivers in an on-demand, hands-free, eyes-free mode,” says Stuart R. Patterson, chief executive officer of Xtone. “Using Xtone’s Conversational Media Player based on our Xavi Voice Assistant Platform, USA TODAY was able to provide an easy-to-use user interface via Ford’s SYNC AppLink system in record time.”

Xtone offers technology and services that help companies voice-enable their mobile apps. Xtone’s Xavi Platform offers a development environment coupled with a cloud-based managed service for deployment.

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