case, it’s a bit of both. The desire for people to access streaming media and information on the go means service provides need to light a fire in their efforts to supply WiFi-free, fast bandwidth. This in turn means new in-car devices that can actually depend on Internet access, which means we could see a new class of “connected” car audio components sooner than later.
“SHOT” WHEELS What’s Going On:
Hot Wheels has introduced a line of vehicles with cameras. Sure, they look more like a camera on wheels, but the cool part is that, after driving the car around, a kid can hook up a USB con- nection to a computer and then relive the entire experience, or just watch via the LCD screen on the bottom of the car. The Hot Wheels Video Racers kit will be on shelves soon and will even include software to cut and edit the video. How It Could Affect You:
There are two effects here. First, getting kids into video means kids adopting technology at a younger age, and the fact that it’s in a car (who cares what the size is) is not a bad thing. And second, though this is not exactly groundbreaking technology, it could make its way into the vehicle, either by giving cars ‘eyes’ to see obstacles or lines while driving, or simply by being able to record accidents in the “black box” style.
NET PROFIT
What’s Going On: Netflix has now taken the lead in overall U.S. Internet broadband traffic, a top spot long held by peer-to-peer file sharing sites. Netflix accounts for 22.2 percent of all U.S. broadband traf- fic, compared to BitTorrent’s 21.6 percent share. This is significant, considering
Hulu.com and network-owned or Web sites are promoting free TV shows online. For the first time in Internet history, the largest percentage of traffic is now paid for and not free. How It Could Affect You: This could spawn some great ideas for marketing services in an environment where you want to sell an “all-in-one, get it at one place” quality experience at a price versus a free (or low- cost) “search till you drop” experience with unpredicatble results. Sound familiar? “If you think Netflix is great, You’re Our Kind of Customer.”
IN-SECURITY
What’s Going On: Sony’s PlayStation network was hacked (repeatedly) this spring to the point the company is struggling to recover. Now at question is how much data was compromised and what PSN users should do to protect themselves. How It Could Affect You: As consumers move more and more of their music and data online, there will be increasing concerns over security. And as an industry just breaking into the connectivity arena by customers stream content in the automobile, we had better understand these concerns and know how to address them as part of the sales process.
BYE HYBRID
What’s Going On: It seems hybrids are no longer a diamond in the California rough. July 1 was the last day a hybrid could be driven in the HOV lanes in California (without a passenger). In 2004, the state allowed access to carpool lanes for 75,000 owners of the gas-stingiest hybrid cars. How It Could Affect You: The loss of hybrids’ special treatment on the freeway chimes with recent studies that indicate most consumers would not consider buying a hybrid or electric vehicle, whether for cost, size, power or just plain looks. This means that we can expect to see the same old gas guzzlers —
and 12-volt electrical systems — in our bays for a few more years, without worrying about power usage considerations in electric or hybrid models.
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