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Livio Connect Offers Wireless Firmware Updates For OEM Car Stereos

LAS VEGAS -- Over-the-air firmware updates for car stereos are now available for Livio Connect API developers, Livio CEO and founder Jake Sigal announced at the 2012 SEMA Show.

Over-the-air firmware updates are a new addition to Livio Connect, a 2012 Frost & Sullivan New Product Innovation Award recipient that connects apps to cars easily and quickly for vehicle OEMs, Tier 1 manufacturers, and approved third-party developers.

"Cars are good for over 10 years (but) iOS and Android update every 10 months," Sigal said. "Over-the-air firmware updates mean that when your smartphone upgrades, so does your car stereo."

Livio Connect's over-the-air firmware update allows automakers and developers to keep their existing infotainment systems up to date. Firmware updates are automatically downloaded to the smartphone. The smartphone then sends the firmware update to the stereo through a USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi connection. Consumers only need to click "Yes" on their stereo and Livio Connect does the rest.

"Livio is in the forefront of the movement toward leveraging smartphones for a variety of high bandwidth applications," said Roger C. Lanctot, associate director with Strategy Analytics. "The perceived risks associated with over-the-air updating are greatly mitigated by leveraging a connected device to cover the last 12 inches to the in-vehicle system."

Ferndale-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." It's grown into a supplier of simple-to-use Internet radios for the home and auto. More information can be found at www.LivioConnect.com and www.LivioRadio.com.

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