Ford to Offer Rhapsody In-Car Music Service

Ford Motor Co. has signed a deal with online music streaming service Rhapsody International Inc. to provide customers with in-car music through their Bluetooth-enabled smartphones.

The service will be available to an estimated 1 million Ford and Lincoln owners whose vehicles are equipped with the carmaker's Sync AppLink system. Once connected, they can use voice commands or their vehicle's audio system to control the Rhapsody app on their phones.

The Ford partnership marks Rhapsody's first fully integrated automotive deal. The service says 40% of its customers already listen to Rhapsody-supplied music while driving.

Seattle-based Rhapsody gives its subscribers unlimited on-demand access to an online library of more than 16 million songs. Rival Pandora offers a similar service for several vehicle brands, including Chrysler and Dodge models equipped with Chrysler Group's Uconnect Access system.