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The evolution of the car's infotainment system has been discussed on this site before. This article summarizes the various sources of media content including broadcast radio, bluetooth, video files and audio files.
Mention was made of a sim card being connected to an infotainment system which is akin to connecting a mobile phone to the head unit through Android and/or Apple play.
Once IP communication is available on the head unit, it is no different to using a radio station's app on a mobile phone: the infotainment unit becomes a source of data on spoken word and music content to the broadcaster for analysis and targeted marketing.
Though there may be difficulty determining whether the driver and/or passengers is consuming the content, analysis based on demographics may be difficult.
Nevertheless, there is an issue of privacy when content is being delvered by IP.
As such, the head unit must have privacy controls to allow the consumer to disclose how much data is shared to the broadcaster in the sane way that one's browser and email service such as gmail allows one to control/disclose their privacy.
At the same time whether IP communication is through the head unit or a mobile phone is connected to the head unit, there may well be additional mobile data charges depending on the plan with the mobile company.
Another consideration is lack of mobile coverage in rural areas and suburban blackspots. Like poor radio reception, lack of mobile coverage is an interruption to continuous reception of content.
Then there is the issue of road safety. The head unit's visual controls and interactivity of the driver with the head unit is a distraction from the motorist concentrating on the road. A moment away from concentrating on the road may be fatal.
To illustrate, a user such as the driver should not be responding to competitions or promotions requiring interactivity with the head unit.
Thank you,
Anthony, of think of these ussues before putting these devices on the market, Belfield, in the land of the Wangal and Darug Peoples of the Eora Nation.