A rádio perde o privilégio do carro

Reproduzo este texto na íntegra, porque o assunto assim o justifica: quando o carro deixar de ser um domínio de quase exclusividade da rádio,  ficará o quê?

«Automakers are continuing to stuff their dashboards with next-generation digital music amenities, and the iPod is just one part of the mix. At the New York International Auto Show, several advanced music services have been unveiled, offering the consumer a broad range of options. BMW, which has led the charge on iPod integration, just stepped up its support of the device with enhanced display, docking, and steering wheel controls. But the luxury carmaker is also offering Sirius Satellite Radio and digital radio amenities, among other features. Meanwhile, Subaru has also raised its game, delivering an in-dash connector for the iPod - and various other digital music players - within its 2007 WRX STI Limited, part of a 120-watt, 6 speaker system. And Infiniti is reportedly readying an integrated hard drive into its console, though details remain light. Most other manufacturers are also making musical moves, and the future automobile will include multiple radio and portable player options. Satellite radio, digital (HD) radio, portable MP3 player support, and mainstays like terrestrial radio and multi-CD changers will all be part of the mix. The result will be a Darwinian battle among a number of providers, and natural selection could favor multiple survivors. For satellite radio, that landscape lessens the in-dash advantage, though multi-month subscription freebies will offer a nice toehold. But digital radio will also have an increasingly strong impact, especially among those less interested in genre-targeted selections, extras like Howard Stern and monthly subscriptions. So where does that leave the iPod? Despite an increasingly crowded console, the iPod will probably remain a looming presence, and a growing answer for music ubiquity among consumers.»

fonte: «Automakers Broaden Music Dashboards, Push Beyond iPods» Digital music News, 17/4/06