蘑菇AV

Apple is partnering with digital platform TuneIn to strengthen its radio reach and better compete with Spotify, per the Wall Street Journal. The move will see Apple distribute its radio stations across connected cars and home speakers globally and marks the first time Apple鈥檚 current radio stations will be accessible outside of the Apple Music app. Apple鈥檚 radio push could breathe life into its struggling streaming units, attracting listeners who haven鈥檛 considered Apple Music and potentially drawing in advertisers who are looking for access to Apple鈥檚 library.

The news: AI dominated Wednesday鈥檚 Made by Google event, where the company unveiled its Pixel 10 lineup. Google pitched Gemini as 鈥減ersonal intelligence,鈥� framing it as a universal AI assistant across smartphones, wearables, smart homes, and connected cars. The showcase feature, Magic Cue, anticipates user needs by pulling data from Gmail, Calendar, and Messages to suggest timely actions. Our take: If features like Magic Cue prove indispensable, Google gains a recurring revenue stream and deeper ecosystem lock-in. If they fade as gimmicks, Pixel risks remaining a niche brand, especially if competitors can provide similar apps or services.

The news: In-car voice commerce has the potential to unlock a $35 billion annual opportunity for automakers, according to new research by in-car voice technology provider SoundHound AI. The hands-free tech integrates voice ordering, payments, and navigation directly into vehicles鈥攖ransforming them into mobile commerce hubs that users are already familiar with. Key takeaway: Marketers and advertisers should prepare for a shift in automotive user interface by integrating voice-first campaigns into connected car ecosystems. Opportunities include forging partnerships with automakers and service providers for branded voice experiences, sponsored suggestions, and frictionless ordering while prioritizing transparency to satisfy safety regulators.

Google鈥檚 AI is expanding fast and meeting demand, but users could be wary about data collection in their homes and vehicles.

As connected car technologies go mainstream, opportunities for advertisers are expanding. But success depends on balancing innovation with consumer privacy concerns and security challenges.

Android Auto chases connected car gaming, while Apple CarPlay bets on sports content and simplified interfaces. Both present new advertising opportunities.

In-Jeep ad pop-ups demonstrate how automakers want revenue from connected cars, but aggressive tactics could push drivers to reject paid features altogether

A massive data leak, including German politicians鈥� car locations, amplifies concerns over automakers鈥� ability to secure data in their race for connected car dominance.

US Connected Car Drivers.

There will be 180.9 million connected car drivers in the US by 2028, reaching over 70% of licensed drivers, according to a September 2024 蘑菇AV forecast.

Connected car advertising is proving effective at driving immediate action. Research from Audacy, an audio media company, shows 56% of drivers looked up brands after hearing radio ads, 49% made purchases after podcast ads, and more than 45% of connected car drivers visited a store after hearing audio advertisements.

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SiriusXM鈥檚 traditional model, which relied on in-car access, is eroding as options like Apple CarPlay become native to dashboard systems鈥攑utting SiriusXM at risk of losing control over territory it once dominated. The company鈥檚 subscription revenues fell by approximately $78 million YoY in Q1.

AI and advances in immersive media, connected cars, and sustainability tech made big splashes in 2023, but their impact may be even bigger in 2024.

Integrating voice ordering into apps and partnering with in-car platforms鈥攕uch as Apple鈥檚 CarPlay or Google鈥檚 Android Auto鈥攃ould drive impulse buys and build loyalty.

The evolution of connected car technology is driven by consumer expectations for seamless digital experiences. Drivers are willing to pay for advanced connectivity, though significant gaps remain between consumer demands and current capabilities.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss just how bad ad fatigue is getting, how GenAI might revolutionize the in-car experience, the most interesting ways that out-of-home advertising is evolving, if niche video streaming services can gain share, how much the 鈥淎merican Dream鈥� costs, and more. Tune in to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Analyst Ross Benes, Director of Reports Editing Rahul Chadha, and Vice President of Briefings Stephanie Taglianetti.

The number of US connected car drivers will reach about 175 million in 2027, and the systems they use will become more sophisticated as electric vehicles and embedded car operating systems become more common.

Similar integrations could transform connected TVs (CTVs) and even connected cars. These operating system agents would have an easier time integrating with data and tools鈥攂ut could also face antitrust questions. Voice-activated devices. The hands-free interfaces of car systems and smart speakers make them obvious hosts for voice-activated agents.

The partnership will help them capture more of the growing in-car commerce market, which could reach $600 billion by 2030