Paris – November 05, 2026 -- Stingray is pressing automakers to keep in-car entertainment in-house rather than cede the dashboard to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, using its Mondial de l'Auto appearance in Paris to make the case.
DATAxis panelists frame entertainment as an OEM battleground
At the DATAxis Conference ahead of the Paris Motor Show, industry leaders agreed that in-cabin experience increasingly shapes brand perception, customer loyalty and purchasing decisions as vehicles become software-defined. Tom Adams, who represented Stingray on the panel, said automakers should retain control of their "digital customer journey" instead of leaving it to third-party smartphone ecosystems.
Panelists also rejected the idea of a dashboard crowded with app icons. As content volumes grow, discoverability becomes the main hurdle, and AI-powered personalization, recommendations and voice interaction will be needed to surface content while limiting driver distraction.
Stingray offers OEMs three commercial models
Stingray supplies a native portfolio covering premium music, interactive karaoke, global radio and millions of podcasts. Automakers can choose ad-supported integrations, direct licensing or revenue-sharing agreements, and monetize the cabin on their own terms. Stingray Music and Stingray Karaoke have been integrated into Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
NIO executive cites Stingray's driving-safe lyrics feature
Sebastian Salera, Head of the European Product Experience Department at NIO, named Stingray as a benchmark for balancing entertainment with safety. He said Stingray built on an SDK from NIO to block scrolling lyrics while the car is moving. A QR code on the center display then lets passengers follow the lyrics on their smartphones.
Salera noted that OEMs face stricter quality and safety expectations for native integrations than mobile app developers do.
Stingray returns to CES in Las Vegas from January 6 to 9, 2026
The company will show its latest innovations at its booth and in its Aria suite. Stingray is also presenting sponsor of TVOT Montreal 2026.