Listen to World Cup 2014 Coverage with GROM Audio

After months, if not years of anticipation, the 2014 World Cup if officially here. Hosted by Brazil, in Rio De Janerio, the world's biggest soccer tournament comes to fans every four years, giving the best players from every country the opportunity to prove they are world champions. As one of the most watched sporting events on the globe, the World Cup, brings sports fans and non fans together for the excitement of worldwide competition.

Thursday marked the start of the 64-game tournament and GROM Audio wanted to assure our customers that our car audio adapters will allow you to listen to the games wherever you may go. With the FIFA World Cup app, avid soccer fans or newly interested World Cup devotees can get the scoop on the behind the scenes action or the sideline play-by-play through FIFA's virtual World Cup stadium. Creating a global a conversation, fans can use the #joinin hashtag to see the latest trending topics for World Cup Brazil.

Starting the competition off Thursday afternoon, Brazil took on Croatia (3-1) for the opening game, with the US's first game on Monday, June 16.  How do you will the US do without their long time veteran Landon Donovan?

Over the weekend expect some heated battles with Spain took on the Netherlands on Friday (5-1) and England vs. Italy on Saturday before Germany goes up against Portugal on Monday, before the US take center stage. Ensuring you don't miss a second while on-the-go, GROM Audio is ready to bring you all the action while your on the road!

#Joinin the World Cup 2014 conversation with #gromaudio!

How To: GROM Audio explains downloading music to your Android device

For Apple users, uploading and downloading music to and from iTunes seems to be almost automatic. With over 13 years since the release of the first generation iPod, it is no surprise iTunes is still going strong. But other providers have made leaps when it comes to music on-the-go, giving consumers a choice when it comes to music mobility. Google's Android operating system has seen a serious influx of users over the past few years, making the Google Play application key component to Android users' listening experience.

As the first aftermarket car audio company to provide seamless integration of Android devices to factory car stereos, GROM Audio wants to ensure all of our users can listen to their music library while driving. Through just a few easy steps, GROM Audio can show you how download music from your computer to your Android device, allowing drivers to take control of their music selection!

For Windows Users:

1. Connect your computer to your Android device using a USB cable
   - If you are prompted to select a USB connection option on your device, select Media Device (MTP)
2. Locate the music files on your computer and drag to your device's music folder

For Mac Users:

1. Download and install Android File Transfer to your computer
2. Connect your computer to your Android device using a USB cable
   - If you are prompted to select a USB connection option on your device, select Media Device (MTP)
3. Locate music files on your computer and drag them to your device's music folder via Android File Transfer

After you have downloaded music to your Android phone, you can use GROM Audio's AALinQ application, a music player created to function seamlessly with our adapter.

To use the AALinQ app, download it from the Google Play marketplace. (Just search for the AALinQ in the Google Play search box)

1. Open the app, go to Settings

2. Tap "Music home folder" to specify what folder you want AALinQ to take the music from

 

Please note: Usually AALinQ will grab all the music that you have on your phone, but sometimes you still need to adjust the destination music folder for AALinQ

Start using AALinQ!

GROM Audio: The Beginning of a Start Up Company

Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, GROM Audio understands the vast progression of technology and startup culture. With countless entrepreneurs flocking to the Bay Area to begin their latest venture, the competition is stiff and setting yourself apart can be even tougher. As a new technology company ourselves, we strive to deliver exceptional products which build on innovation and as GROM continues to grow, our team learns about the pitfalls of creating innovation from scratch.

Now as we prepare to unveil our latest aftermarket auto solution, which will transform outdated stock stereos into connected car systems, our team is working tirelessly to stand out in the sea of technology startups and giants alike. As we embark on our latest venture, we have found that building a community of shared knowledge is the best way to continue to create innovation. These are some tips that have helped GROM Audio grow!

1.) Setting Yourself Apart

• Since technology has allowed people to sell, market and reach consumers without having to purchase a storefront, starting a company is easier than ever. This means there is countless competition, whether legitimate or not.

2.) Funding

• Determining where to find money—whether it is a business loan, crowdsourcing or finding investors—to be a successful company, you must have "seed" money. While there are many ways to achieve funding, for many startups it is hard to finding right investment for your vision.
• Understanding the funding processes when reaching out to investors—who are the right investors, what do they receive for their investment, when do they receive it, etc.

3.) Knowing the right way to spend your investments

• Once, if ever, you receive an investment for your vision, where does that money go? To design? Production? Or getting your brand name out there? What if you don't have a brand identity yet? Do you spend money on creating a recognizable logo or do you spend money on creating the product?
• Prioritizing within a startup can be very difficult and hard to navigate when you are beginning. Deciding where to start can be challenging… want some advice, well a consultant costs a pretty penny too. 

4.) Forming a startup team

• Many startups begin from the idea for a product or service, like GROM Audio. But the idea to create a product that can transform your driving experience is not a business plan. Forming a team that can design, manufacture, market and generate revenue to continue production; all on a typically small starting budget is one of the hardest aspects of the startup culture.

Stay tuned for more tips as GROM Audio prepares to unveil our next car audio solution, on our path to aftermarket audio innovation! 

GROM Audio is supporting Bimmerfest opportunity drawing this year!

With a passion for transforming the in-car entertainment and connectivity, GROM Audio strives to create the best after-market audio products for a plethora of car makes and models.

Understanding that people spend countless hours in the car, we strive to convert your commute from daunting to delightful.

By supporting fellow car enthusiasts, GROM Audio hopes to impact more drivers and this year our Silicon Valley based company is proud to support Bimmerfest 2014.

As the largest BMW car show in North America, Bimmerfest aims to provide BMW owners and fans with the latest in the car industry. From vintage models to the latest specs, BMW fans will have the ultimate experience at Bimmerfest 2014.

To show our genuine support for the event, GROM Audio has donated a $500 gift certificate to the Bimmerfest opportunity drawing; supporting the New Beginnings Counselling Center.  The charity raffle gives Bimmerfest attendees the chance to win many car-oriented prizes, making the annual event even sweeter than before. 

Another Successful Showing for GROM Audio at the Annual Volvo Car Show

After a successful showing at this year's 16th Annual Volvo Car Show and Swap Meet in Davis, CA,  GROM Audio is happy to return to Silicon Valley with new aftermarket audio enthusiasts! Returning to California's infamous Volvo showcase, we were able to demonstrate the latest features of our audio adapters.

It was a beautiful day in Davis, filled with excitement about old a new Volvos alike—giving GROM Audio the opportunity to show Volvo fans the potential of aftermarket technology. As one of this year's platinum sponsors, GROM Audio had the honor of sponsoring the Best Technology award and the winner received one of our aftermarket car audio adapters.

Throughout the day attendees of the car show, dubbed the Sweet Sixteen, were able to see the evolution of the design of Volvo vehicles and the technological advances added throughout the progression of each model. From some of the oldest models to the latest specs, the Volvo brand has been at the forefront of its time and GROM Audio was there to help show Volvo drivers how we can transform outdated models with the latest aftermarket technology!

Thanks to event coordinator, Justin, for hosting another amazing event!

GROM Audio Reaches 5k Facebook Likes

It's official, the GROM Audio Facebook page has reached its 5000th "like", meaning our contest for a free car kit is now over. The GROM team would like to congratulate Tobias Halkvist in winning his own customized car audio adapter and helping us reach our latest goal.

It is with the support of our loyal customers that GROM Audio can continue to create aftermarket car audio adapters that can transform your in-car driving experience. Understanding drivers do not want to spend the costly prices of system overhauls, GROM Audio hopes to keep growing to better deliver affordable aftermarket solutions to more drivers on the road. With plans to release our latest product, the GROM-VL1, this summer, we appreciate that our fans and customer base continues expand. The VL1 will ultimately transform a factory car stereo into infotainment system, allowing drivers the latest technology while on-the-go!

Thank you to all of our Facebook fans for supporting GROM Audio and please stay tuned for updates on the GROM-VL1!

GROM Audio Hosts Successful Silicon Valley Automotive Open Source Meet Up

Last week GROM Audio hosted the Silicon Valley Automotive Open Source Meet Up event with special guest speaker, QNX Senior Automotive Product Manager, Kerry Johnson. As first time hosts of the event, the GROM Audio corporate office was a full house of Meet Up group members dedicated to learning the latest about in-vehicle infotainment (IVI). Serving as a network to connect a variety backgrounds ranging from engineers to entrepreneurs, the over 65 attendees met to listen to Johnson speak about Qt, the latest cross-platform application framework for desktop, embedded and mobile i.e. even infotainment.

Event host, ICS Liaison, Peter Mui opened the event with a few words just after 7:15, before GROM founder Dmitry Borisov stepped in to thank guests for coming, while also introducing many attendees of GROM's aftermarket infotainment solutions.

GROM Audio Founder, Dimtry Borisov introduces guest speaker. 

Starting the discussion with a background of QNX software, Kerry Johnson discussed the importance of open source and sharing knowledge to help better technology.
"These Meet Ups help us come together and move forward,"Johnson said.

Qt, which was developed as an open source project, follows this idea, according to Johnson, who discussed that the framework can integrate with a wide variety of platforms including the most popular iOS, Android, OS X and Windows. Working well with other languages, widgets and interfaces, Qt integrates to create faster transitions, better 2D & 3D graphics and quick speech references.

"An infotainment system is the integration of a lot of things, there are all kinds of things that need to be brought together," Johnson continued.

Guest speaker, QNX Senior Automotive Product Manager, Kerry Johnson

According to the 25-year industry veteran, Qt can better in-car infotainment integration, but safety will be biggest challenge for car manufacturers to overcome. Safety certification is crucial in moving forward with connected cars and according to Johnson OEMs are creating the hold, while they wait for Google and Apple. But with Qt integration automakers do not have to lock into a specific OS like Android or iOS, although it is unclear if Apple's CarPlay will support Qt.

Although the feature of connected cars is still very vague, it is clear that consumer electronics will continue to blend with the auto industry, creating smarter cars, smarter drivers and one day driverless vehicles.

"I love to see things change, but the reality is it will take a while," Johnson said.