A reality of EV road trips is that you will end up charging at a public DC fast charger at some point, and new and novel ways to pass the time would be nice. Sure, you could doomscroll, but that’s unhealthy. Likewise, reading is great if it’s just you, but if you’re dealing with a carful of people, you’d want to keep them all entertained, right? Turns out Ford had just that thought, because it’s getting loud and launching in-car karaoke. Let’s hope your passengers aren’t off-key.
See, Ford’s partnering with Stingray, the Canadian music broadcasting company, to bring karaoke to its cars, and when you’re parked, the experience sounds remarkably convincing. Not only will you see lyrics scrolling on the infotainment screen, you’ll have a wide assortment of genres and languages to choose from, which is pretty important simply on an inclusionary basis.
Ford isn’t the first automaker to offer in-car karaoke, but it might be the first in America to offer it while driving. See, with the car underway, lyrics won’t appear on the infotainment screen because that’s a distraction and legal probably wouldn’t be happy with that. Instead, a QR code appears for passengers to scan with their phones, leading to a webpage that can add songs to the queue and display lyrics, so those not directly behind the wheel can belt it out to their heart’s content.
Of course, there’s no mention of an actual microphone, but come on, you’re in a car. How amplified does your singing voice really need to be? However, if you do deem those sorts of shenanigans to be necessary, there’s a surprising market for third-party in-car karaoke mics, which once again, absolutely are not to be used while driving.
At first, the Stingray Karaoke app will roll out to 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning owners, followed by Mustang Mach-E owners, and then every Ford and Lincoln with the latest generation of infotainment. Sadly, owners of Fords with Sync3, like the pre-facelift Maverick, are going to be out of luck, and that just kinda sucks. The Maverick’s a four-wheeled party machine, and karaoke would be a perfect fit. The other catch? You may need a connectivity plan for karaoke to work, but there may be a way around this subscription fee — the karaoke app will also work if your Ford is connected to Wi-Fi, so you might be able to just hotspot it off your phone.
As far as digital features go, this seems heaps more useful than BMW’s in-car video games. See, phone video games are getting pretty good, while karaoke exclusively on your phone is still a bit shit. Unless you have it hooked into Bluetooth Audio, all you’re going to get is sound from two tinny speakers, so infotainment integration actually ups the game. So long as you aren’t 100 percent locked into a data plan, in-car karaoke seems like a pretty good thing. Now, who wants to duet some Taking Back Sunday?
(Photo credits: Ford)
Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.
-
The 2024 BMW 5-Series Remixes A Classic With In-Car Video Games And Available EV Models
-
BMW’s Latest Subscription Plan Has One Right To Repair Advocate Calling For Pirating Cars
-
Why Automakers’ Plans To Squeeze Subscription Dollars Out Of You Forever Might Not Work
-
Here’s How Japanese Automakers Put Apps In Cars Long Before Mercedes Put TikTok In The New E-Class
-
Someone Just Told Me They Can Remotely Unlock The Doors To A Car They No Longer Own, And It Turns Out It’s Not Uncommon
Got a hot tip? Send it to us here. Or check out the stories on our homepage.
Hooray! More gimmicky crap to do while waiting 30-45 minutes for your battery to charge. I really wish automakers would quit with the whizbang infotainment junk.
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine).”
Lovely. Just when the world was finally forgetting about James Corden.
There is a single charging station next to where I pick up my groceries. It’s occasionally used, but whenever it is, the car is occupied and the (un)driver has a pissed off expression on their face. I understand. I am retired, but my time still has value greater than watching a battery charge. A karaoke option would only add to the insulting injury.
I think that’s actually a pretty great idea, and if everyone in the vehicle is into the song, it’d be pretty fun
I feel Bohemian Rhapsody needs to come standard with it.
This is my worst nightmare for road trips with a full car of people.
If it’s stationary, I can see a potential for a partnership with one of the dish providers as a pay per view option.
I’m rather surprised that so far no one has called it “car-aoke”. Hmm.
Somebody did. I think that’s why Ford naming it that.
Alright then what’s on the Autopian’s karaoke playlist? I’m happy to do Devil Went Down To Georgia or Clint Eastwood. Maybe if I’m really feeling it I’ll do Roses. Abba is off limits. So is anything by Journey or Bon Jovi….
I’m in for Sisters of Mercy This Corrosion, but only with Adrian doing backing vocals.
Adrian is participating in all Sisters songs. Just don’t ask him to do anything by The Cure…although I will happily join in
And I’m waiting
And I wait in vain
Nine while nine
I’m waiting for the
traindamncartochargeWe’re doing George Thorogood! Everybody sing with me!!
“One bourbon! One Scotch! One beeeeer!”
I want to see one of them try “Take on me” by A-ha.
You know, there’s really nothing wrong with just existing in melancholic solitude for a few minutes. You don’t constantly need to be making noise every waking second of your life.
I was reaching for the radio button last night while driving with the top off, but I stopped because I realized I’d just as soon listen to the wind rush past and the song of a V8. It’s just become habit to have man-made noise happening at all times.
I’ve made it a point to just have complete silence whenever possible and I feel like it’s helped my anxiety greatly. I’ve also lost my mind but that’s unrelated.
Pfft. As my fellow motorists during rush hour can attest, I need no fancy system to serenade them through my open windows.
I’d gladly take a Blues Brothers-esque loudspeaker to better reach my audience, though. The world NEEDS to hear my rendition of 4 Non Blondes’ classic “What’s Up”.