Navigation, Entertainment, and Wireless Abound at CES

Telematic: US.Telematics is about the wireless delivery

of information and content to (and from) autos. From emergency call buttons to

satellite radio, telematics is a host of technologies and solutions that bring wireless

technology into the car.

Bluetooth -- A common theme at CES, nearly all wireless device manufacturers

support Bluetooth in one way or another. The most common applications are hands

free phones devices but Bluetooth is just now getting deployed for music players.

Expect a handful of first-time Bluetooth audio solutions to make their debut at CES.

Portable Navigation Devices – PNDs include dozens of products based on PDA-like

form factors. The key selling point is portability and the ability to travel with these

devices from car-to-car. This category is now being characterized by a convergence

of technologies and applications—most new devices combine navigation with other

features such as MP3 or Bluetooth.

GPS-enabled Mobile Phones -- Most CDMA phones have built-in GPS (Assisted GPS)

and we are seeing the emergence of location-based services designed for these

devices. The most common applications include off-board navigation, but a host of

new devices will support real-time traffic.

Rear Seat Entertainment Systems – Rear seat entertainment is already a big hit for

both retailers and automotive OEMs. In-vehicle systems that allow users to

transfer video programming from their home to the car will be a trend in rear seat

entertainment. Strong competitive pressure from the aftermarket is pulling down

premium price points for rear seat system. At the same time, attach rates are

growing.

Satellite Radio – Satellite Radio is seeing a breakout year. Nearly all mobile

electronics companies support satellite radio with headunits that are XM and/or

Sirius enabled. The latest portable satellite receivers are designed to be used inside

and/or outside of the car, competing with iPods for obvious reasons.

HDD-based Entertainment/Navigation Systems -- Hard disk drives are used to

archive content such as music files and navigation data. The most compelling

Music/iPod Docking Devices – iPod docking devices are responding to pent-up

demand in the automotive space. Since the automotive OEMs have not responded

fast enough to meet the demand, there are a flood of aftermarket devices that

interface the iPod with the audio system. Sophisticated units now support physical

connections to the audio (vs. FM) and also include control of the device with some

supporting audio titles and track info on the DIS or head unit displays.

Automotive Telematics: Enabling Vehicles for Wireless Publ 20051222