Ola extends its in-car connected platform, Ola Play, to its prime segment just two months after debuting it for Ola Select subscribers. As of today, Ola Play will be available for all customers who book a sedan under the Prime category. The taxi-aggregator has plans to equip about 50,ooo cars with its own in-car infotainment system by the end of March, 2017.
To further perk up this connected service, the company is presently in talks with popular channels for short videos and news updates. The existing partners for Ola Play include Apple Music, Sony LIV, All India Bakchod (AIB), The Viral Fever (TVF), Audio Compass and Fynd. These are aimed at delivering enriched music, content and shopping experience.
Ankit Jain, Head of Ola Play announced the news and said,
After two months of exclusive access to Ola Select customers, Prime Play is now available for booking for all Ola customers.
Back in November, Ola Play was launched in partnership with Qualcomm with the aim of providing customers with a personalized in-car experience. Using this service, an Ola Select subscriber is handed over control of prominent car functions, entertainment services, and other console options while he/she is taking the ride.
One has complete control over Wi-Fi, music, navigation, temperature, and the car sound, among other things during the ride. The user can even connect their own devices to the large screen installed within the vehicle. Ola Play provides recommendations depending on the time and distance to be covered.
Ola will have to bear an estimated cost of about Rs20,000 – 30,000 per cab for extending the service to the Prime category. The decision is based upon the 3x growth witnessed by the company, post its launch for Select members. This service helps Ola differentiate itself from its arch-rival Uber and bring back lost customers.
Ankit further added,
We have big ambitions for Ola Play. By 2017 end, we want over 50% of the rides on Ola to be enabled with Prime Play.
