Hi-res audio technology company MQA is expanding into cars.
MQA technology will be integrated within BlackBerry’s QNX Acoustics Management Platform, which is used by manufacturers to build software solutions for connected and autonomous cars.
To mark the launch of the new integration, an MQA-powered listening experience is being showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (8-12 January 2019). It will be demonstrated in the Karma Revero electric vehicle at BlackBerry’s booth.
“As studio-quality audio becomes the expectation of music fans – at home and on smartphones – consumers will also demand the best quality in the car,” said CEO Mike Jbara. “MQA's integration with BlackBerry shows that it can be possible for manufacturers to deliver on that promise.”
“QNX has long been on the forefront of automotive acoustics processing with hands free, in-car communication and noise cancellation technologies,” said Len Layton, acoustics business development manager, BlackBerry. “Music will remain a key element of the driving experience. Our work with MQA will provide automakers with the ability to deliver audio that will satisfy even the most discerning music fans.”
Spotify has signalled its ambitions to expand into the automative market.
MQA has also updated its collaboration with Tidal Masters, a master-quality recordings version of the streaming platform. The service will now be available on all Android smartphones.
Jbara said: “We know that most music fans are choosing to stream on their phones. MQA’s view is that you should have the best quality sound regardless of where you’re listening. We’re delighted that, through our ongoing collaboration with Tidal, access to master quality audio is now expanding across mobile.”
Lior Tibon, Tidal COO, said: “This is a major advancement for the audiophile community and Tidal’s HiFi members. As our platform evolves, our partnership with MQA continues to expand and cements our position as a leader in the High-Fidelity audio space.”
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