Native Voice Announces Hands-Free Access to iHeartMedia Audio Content

Native Voice, an on-demand voice assistant platform that enables users to communicate directly by voice with their favorite brands, announced today a product collaboration with iHeartMedia to offer direct access to the nation’s largest library of live and on-demand music, radio and podcast content via voice. Early in 2023, anyone with a Skull-iQ enabled Skullcandy device (Grind, Grind Fuel, Push Active) can simply say “Hey iHeart” for immediate, hands-free access to iHeartRadio’s expansive world of content without having to download the iHeart app.

SoundHound, the voice-enabled AI platform and conversational intelligence technology company, announced a new integration with iHeartRadio to bring its audio content to SoundHound’s Hound app and Houndify voice AI platform. Through the partnership, Hound and Houndify users will have access to iHeartRadio’s free offerings including Live Radio (U.S. only), Artist Radio (U.S. only), and Podcasts (available globally except the U.K.).

iHeartMedia announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Jelli, Inc., the technology company that powers its SoundPoint advertising platform. The Jelli platform is the pioneering technology foundation for programmatic buying and selling of broadcast radio, and this acquisition will enable iHeartMedia to further leverage Jelli’s assets to continue to create a digital-compatible broadcast radio buying platform for brands that includes targeting and creative optimization based on data and attribution tools compatible with the offerings of the major digital players.

iHeartMedia teamed with artificial intelligence (AI) platform Super Hi-Fi to deliver an optimized digital music listening experience. The new AI capabilities will allow iHeartRadio to revolutionize its digital music service by creating a listening experience that mimics the polished production of live radio. The integration brings the best of live broadcast radio to digital streaming music by delivering flawless song transitions, including precise crossfades, volume leveling and truly gapless playback.