The system is operated by a company called Kaliki, which provides a smartphone app that links to the service, which uses professional speakers to voice the newspaper and magazine content. In-car operation is managed by Bluetooth and voice commands through the SYNC facility.
The concept is based on research which shows that upwards of 140m Americans typically spend two hours a day in the their cars, 50 minutes of which is commuting to work. It's time that they can't read newspapers.
The Kaliki Audio Newsstand already partners with publications such as such as Shape Magazine, TV Guide, Men's Fitness, OK! and Agence France-Presse, and this week is rolling out local newspaper services in Los Angeles and Detroit.
SYNC has recently been made available on Ford cars in Europe, including Ireland. There are no known plans for European newspapers on the Kaliki Audio Newsstand being rolled out.
