3 ways the all-new Mazda3 is the ideal mobile entertainment hub

Remember eight tracks? In-car cassette players? Aftermarket CD head units? At one time or another they were all pinnacles of in-car entertainment – or ICE, as the modifying crowd called it. While CD players are still hanging on in there, the infotainment game has moved on somewhat and, unless it happens to be on your smartphone or an MP3 player, the physical act of carrying your music into the car with you is pretty rare.

The in-car entertainment sphere is no longer limited to music either, as online feeds now account for a much bigger slice of the pie. The all-new Mazda3 is bursting with new and innovative ways to listen to the latest tunes, stay connected and keep you and your passengers entertained on those long journeys.

1. Aha™ Radio
Got a smartphone? Like your radio but want a bit more variety? No problem. The all-new Mazda3 uses the cloud-based Aha™ internet radio platform, which lets you listen to radio stations from around the globe via a free smartphone app~*. Download it, hook up your smartphone to the car via Bluetooth® or the USB port and you’ll have instant access to a massive archive of international music, news and other stations.

There’s more to it than the radio, though, because the Aha™ platform also encompasses social media feeds from Twitter and Facebook, which it can read out loud, so you can keep up to speed with the online side of things without risking it and reaching for your phone. The same goes for text messages, which, as part of the all-new Mazda3’s connectivity system, the Aha™ app can read out loud – removing the illegal temptation to sneak a peak at your phone you’re driving.

2. Stitcher™ integration
The Aha™ app might give you access to internet radio services, but Stitcher™ takes things one step further. It’s an on-demand internet radio app that offers online streaming services, but the really clever bit (and this is where the name comes from) is that it groups – or stitches – music and content together to create virtual ‘stations’ for the listener.

Like the Aha™ app, Stitcher™ can also handle social media feeds and text messages via the all-new Mazda3’s text-to-voice readout function, and music is constantly updated – so there’s no need to download the latest tracks, sync up your smartphone or meddle around with anything else. It’s all done for you. Any updates the software does need will be carried out by approved Mazda dealerships when the car goes in for its regular service – so it truly is a way to future-proof the all-new Mazda3’s entertainment systems.

3. Bose® Centerpoint® surround sound system
Mazda and world-renowned audio specialist Bose® put their heads together to come up with something special for the all-new Mazda3. Available on Sport-Nav models, the nine-speaker premium surround-sound system is a hi-fi junkie’s dream. Mounted in the dashboard are three neodymium mid-high-range speakers (one 8cm and two 6cm). The front doors get a pair of 23cm neodymium woofers, the rear doors a set of 13cm wide-range speakers and there are two more 6cm neodymium mid-high-range speakers in the rear pillars of the five-door Mazda3 Hatchback or the rear deck of the four-door Mazda3 Fastback.

In addition to the arsenal of speakers, the Bose® system also features Centerpoint® 2 digital signal processing. Never heard of it before? Don’t worry – the all-new Mazda3 is first car in its class to benefit from the technology. In a nutshell, it analyses the frequency of the sound and subtly tweaks it to deliver the best quality audio experience possible.

Last but by no means least of the Bose® system’s line-up is AudioPilot® 2 noise-compensation tech, which uses a microphone in the cabin to keep an ear out for external noise – changes in speed, road surface or even the likes of an open window. When it picks up a dose of unwanted racket, the system automatically adjusts the music signal and volume to compensate, so there’s no more need to ratchet up the volume to drown out unwanted noise.

Top five driving songs for the all-new Mazda3
You know about the entertainment and connectivity systems in the all-new Mazda3, now it’s time to hit the road and experience them with a fitting soundtrack. Here are our top five driving songs that are just begging you to crank up the volume on the highway. Just don’t get caught singing at wheel…

Seasons (Waiting On You), Future Islands 
Pacifier, Catfish and the Bottlemen 
Love Illumination, Franz Ferdinand 
Woo Hoo, The 5.6.7.8s 
All the time, The Strokes 

Experience the all-new Mazda3 for yourself: download a brochure here, and book a test-drive here.

For more information on the all-new Mazda3, visit www.mazda.co.uk

See our latest offers here: http://www.mazda.co.uk/offers/mazda3/

Retail sales only. Subject to availability at participating dealers only on vehicles registered between 01.10.2014 and 31.12.2014. T&C apply. 0% APR Mazda Personal Contract Purchase available on all all-new Mazda3 models over 24, 30, 36 or 42 months. You will not own the vehicle until all payments are made.  Finance subject to status, 18s or over. Guarantee/indemnity may be required. Mazda Financial Services RH1 1SR. Channel islands excluded. Not available in conjunction with any other offer unless specified

~* Requires compatible Apple® or Android™ device. Aha and Stitcher apps need to be downloaded to mobile device and app registrationcompleted before connection. Data usage and costs will vary, please contact your network provider for more information. Data usage relies on a valid data signal being available. These functions may not operation in areas of low signal strength

Please refer to www.mazdahandsfree.co.uk for the latest information regarding compatibility and functionality of mobile devices.