Ford's new Sync system integrates streaming Internet music services, like Pandora, directly into vehicles. These types of systems may make traditional radio a thing of the past. (Ford)
Rather than being shackled to the same old hits from local radio stations, drivers can more readily -- and more safely -- customize their music with new Internet-based technologies.
Many people are already accustomed to plugging an iPod into the car, and more are beginning to use their smartphones to access Internet music services such as Pandora, Slacker and Last.fm. However, using these services via a phone usually means looking away from the road to switch channels or to skip a song -- a major distraction.
The Pioneer AVIC-X920BT radio can play your iTunes library as well as control the Pandora music app. (Pioneer)
So software developers, consumer electronics companies and automakers are working to marry these services to existing in-car controls, essentially making it no different than switching between NPR and KEXP.
Car-stereo makers Alpine and Pioneer, for example, offer systems that link to Pandora and allow listeners to skip through their customized stations on in-dash displays. The pricier Pioneer option even has voice control for added safety.
These systems have some limitations. Dead spots in your wireless service will cause the music to drop out as the cellphone searches for a signal. And the Pioneer and Alpine stereos work only with Pandora on an iPhone for now.
Pandora-ready stereos
- Alpine iDA-X305S Digital Media Receiver with Pandora Link: Using a special iPhone-compatible cable, the in-dash receiver lets listeners skip through their customized stations and give songs a thumbs up or thumbs down by pushing in and turning the receiver's front dial. $350.
- Pioneer AVIC-X920BT: This system includes a 6.1-inch LCD touch screen, turn-by-turn navigation, AM/FM/CD and more. The in-dash display lists your iPhone music library and will control an about-to-be-released Pandora app specifically designed to work with the system. $995 plus a $45 iPhone cable.
Such limitations may soon disappear as automakers integrate streaming Internet services directly into their cars. Ford is one of the first to tether smartphones to its vehicles by allowing compatible apps to connect to its latest version of Sync.
The 2011 Fiesta, for example, will allow some Android and BlackBerry applications to use the car's voice recognition and steering wheel controls. One of the first apps is Pandora. Ford has plans to let even more software developers connect apps to its cars, including programs that play podcasts and read Twitter feeds.
Of course, traditional radio broadcasters have heard the drumbeat of mobile apps. They have responded with their own, streaming live broadcasts from thousands of stations to handsets and, through them, to cars.
Clear Channel Radio has a popular app called iheartradio. It's a virtual tuner that allows listeners to choose streams from Clear Channel's network of more than 750 AM and FM stations nationwide.
Jacobs Media, a radio consulting firm, has created more than 130 iPhone apps for individual radio stations and programs across the country, says company President Fred Jacobs. The apps, which Jacobs says have been downloaded by more than 2.5 million listeners, cover shows including C-SPAN Radio and "Loveline With Dr. Drew."
Software developers also sense the opportunity. Livio Radio is about to introduce a $4.99 iPhone app that turns the handset into a digital tuner capable of pulling in music from 42,000 AM/FM and Internet-only stations. The company has designed its software to make it easier for drivers to scan stations with a swipe of a finger.
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