Time for another throwback post with a tip that could be really useful for a lot of the newer Aha Radio users.

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Did you know that Aha Radio’s default setting is to automatically filter out anything that contains profane or explicit material?  That may be the default…but we also like to give users a choice, which is why I’m here today to tell you all about the preference called Allow Explicit Content.

First, you may be wondering what we are actually filtering.  Well…if someone drops an F-bomb during a bit on Stand-Up Comedy, uses “colorful” descriptors in a Driver Rant, or if a podcast simply carries the EXPLICIT label (like Adam Carolla or Nerdist), you won’t be able to hear that content in Aha.

In most of the stations the shouts in question will simply be held back.  You won’t even know they are missing (unless you are looking for one of your own that you know contained colorful language).  In the case of an EXPLICIT podcast, you’ll be able to add the preset but will also get a warning message the first time you attempt to play it.

To disable the filter all you have to do is enable the Allow Explicit Content preference.  We can go back and forth on whether it makes more sense to toggle the filter off, or turn explicit on (we certainly did) but if you are hoping to have explicit material available in Aha Radio, make sure it says ON.

That’s all there is to it.  Now you can listen to even more comedy, all podcasts, and any shouts that were potentially…colorful.

-Ryan

Aha Mobile Team

My favorite poster in the office

As I’ve posted before, our new office has been something of a work in progress.  We had furniture, and a boatload of fun tech gadgets, but something was missing…and that something was personality.

Our walls were white and naked.  Our window sills were unadorned with miscellaneous crap stuff.  Well that’s not the case anymore.

With much help from our lead visual designer, we now have an eclectic mix of artwork that mostly follows an automotive theme.

By far my favorite addition to the office is a poster featuring Wolverine and Nightcrawler from a recent issue of X-Men.  What makes this my favorite?  The fact that they are listening to one This American Life!

In fact, there is a part of me that likes to believe that they are listening on a Pioneer head unit, with full Aha Radio integration.

Below are a couple more shots from around the office.  It’s hard to find a better pop culture automobile for my generation than the Back to the Future DeLorean.

Keeping an automotive theme

Moving onto the office I share with said visual designer.  You can see the X-Men poster just to the left of my seat (so I can enjoy it).  As well as my Star Wars banner (I said “mostly automotive”), some Star Wars themed Mr. Potato Heads, and some South Park characters.  And believe it or not…we use that pencil.

X-Men poster, Star Wars banner, and even some toys

We also needed a table for behind the couch, so we got a little creative.

Custom surfboard table by Bill Boothby of Cambria, CA.

-Ryan

Perhaps you are wondering what reasons I could possibly have to post this video on our blog.  Well I’m going to tell you.

1. It is utterly awesome, and really that should be all that matters.
2. If that isn’t enough, there is actually a product connection.  Jambox is a great way for Aha Radio users to listen on the go.  Whether you strap it to your bike, hang it from your neck with the dope Jamchain, or just plop it down on your passenger seat.  You can bluetooth your Aha Radio audio through the Jambox speaker.
3. Last, and probably least, you can spot a Harman product in the Groupon scene.  Helllloooo Soundsticks!

Now let’s all cross our fingers that the awesomeness of this video doesn’t cause worldwide server meltdown and broken internets for everyone.

-Ryan

You’ve probably noticed that an awful lot of the recent blog posts have been talking about using Aha with an integrated car stereo (like the Pioneer AVIC models), but we also know that not everyone is going to have the option to upgrade stereos just to use Aha.  That’s why I’m dusting off a blog post from early last year that provides the down low scoop on how to hook up to just about any current stereo system.

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Now that you have all this great Aha Radio content playing on  your iPhone you probably want to know the best way to get it playing through your existing car stereo.  Depending on how old your car and/or car stereo is there can be a lot of things to consider.  Here are the most common options:

• Cassette adapter – these first became popular with portable CD players and got even bigger when the iPod took off.  It may seem that these are almost extinct, but odds are that if your car stereo has a tapedeck this is probably going to be the easiest and most affordable option.  If, like me, you hate the wire hanging out of your tape slot, move on to option two.

• FM Transmitter – once cars started shifting the default to CD (instead of cassette) the easiest option for most was a device that transmits your portable device audio through an unused FM frequency, and then you simply tune your car stereo to that same frequency.  Depending on the available frequencies in your area, and where your car antenna is located, the results can be mixed, but the look is often the cleanest option.  Some of them even charge your device in the process.

• Auxiliary Input (basic) – there are two types of AUX options, but I’ll start with the one that’s been around longer.  First available almost exclusively in after-market stereos, these options are now popping up more and more in factory stereos too.  Either with an adapter that plugs into the back of your head unit, or in many cases a simple headphone jack somewhere on the front of the stereo (or even on the dash), just plug a 3.5mm dual male stereo cable into your headphone jack and the AUX jack, and you are connected.  Audio quality is great, but you won’t be able to control the device with your stereo controls.

• Auxiliary Input (USB) – the latest and greatest of the bunch, but not without it’s pitfalls.  Your stereo has full iPod integration and connects to your iPhone via USB/iPod cable.  You’ll typically be able to manage the iPod function directly on your stereo and may even get details about what is playing.  If you are using an iPhone app that produces audio (like Aha Radio) the iPod function will automatically mute when needed.  You may still have your iPod details display on your stereo, but the audio will be all Aha Radio.  Depending on the car stereo you may or may not be able to make iPod choices directly on the device.

You should be able to combine a bluetooth headset with any of these options, but keep in mind that the bluetooth only works for the phone…not for recording or listing to Aha Radio content.

Ryan