LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Livio today announced that Livio Connect, the company's middleware API for integrating smartphone apps with vehicle hardware systems, is now available at "freemium" pricing for application developers.

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"Going freemium was an easy decision for us," said Livio founder and CEO Jake Sigal. "We realized last year Livio Connect can help both app developers and automotive partners by creating a 'car mode' for app developers and promoting their apps to Livio-Connected OEMs, Tier1s, and middleware integrators. Our new model allows us to work with app developers of any and every size, at a price they can afford. As their automotive business grows, we participate in their success."

The Livio Connect API is an award-winning solution for safely integrating the world's growing list of smartphone apps into factory car audio and existing hardware systems. Sigal said the 2013 additions to the Livio Connect application network expand the in-vehicle infotainment offerings beyond just music apps to include traffic, parking, weather, and navigation.

New Livio Connect application partners for 2013 CES include Accuweather, Inrix, and Parkopedia, joining our existing network consisting of 977music.com, AddictedToRadio, Digitally Imported, Greater Media, Inc., Grooveshark, JazzRadio, Live365, NPR, Rdio, RockRadio, SkyFM and TuneIn.

Livio also announces automotive head unit integrations with several companies including CSR, KPIT Cummins, Johnson Controls and Visteon.

At the 2013 International CES, Livio unveiled a demonstration of its new technology, FM Connect, which enables in-car FM radio listeners to safely send feedback to and interact with FM broadcasters and sponsors from the dashboard through a Bluetooth-connected smartphone. All that's required is an FM car stereo, a Bluetooth-connected smartphone, and Livio Connect.

This news comes on the heels of a successful 2012 where Livio Connect won the Frost & Sullivan 2012 New Product Innovation Award and joined the GENIVI Alliance after revealing a demonstration of Livio-Connected mobile phone applications operating on a platform based on the Intel® Atom™ processor running on Tizen IVI. Livio also announced the launch of over-the-air firmware updates for Livio-Connected car stereos. Additionally GM uses Livio Connect technology.

The 2013 International CES runs Jan. 8-11, and Livio will have demonstrations in the automotive section at booth number 2806 in the North Hall.

About Livio
Metro-Detroit-based Livio was built in the guest bedroom of Livio Radio founder and CEO Jake Sigal's home in 2008 on the foundation of "More Music, Less Work." Today, those words remain more than a catchy slogan. It's a philosophy, a way of life that drives Livio employees and a growing list of breakthrough products. Whether they're moving technology forward by creating common-sense solutions for in-vehicle infotainment or Smartphone application business customers through Livio Connect, a day's work at Livio means everybody hustles. It's about streamlined engineering, fewer headaches for their customers, and putting an end to unnecessary product hassles. Livio collectively fights above its weight class in the pursuit of American innovation, giving their big-name business partners the freedom to do what they do best. More information can be found at www.LivioConnect.com

SOURCE Livio