BigChampagne's Ultimate Chart (a/o February 10th):
1. “What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger),” Kelly Clarkson
2. “Set Fire to the Rain,” Adele
3. “Turn Me On,” David Guetta
4. “Rack City,” TYGA
5. “Good Feeling,” Flo Rida
6. “Smooth Criminal (Glee Cast Version),” Glee Cast
7. “Young, Wild & Free,” Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa
8. “Domino ,” Jessie J
9. “Sexy and I Know It,” LMFAO
10. “Ass Back Home ,” Gym Class Heroes
Once upon a time, in-dash internet radio seemed like a Jetsons fantasy. But increasingly, music fans are simply docking (or otherwise connecting) their iPhones into their car stereo systems. The enabler is mobile broadband, despite its connectivity lapses, and now, manufacturers are integrating the action into the dashboard.
The latest example comes from BMW, whose 2011 Mini Countryman integrates RadioTime stations into joystick controls (other models will follow). But instead of a totally integrated, direct-to-internet approach, the Mini Connected option revolves around a USB-connected iPhone and associated app. That is similar to a recent solution from Ford, whose latest Sync upgrades also tap the iPhone for Pandora stations.
BMW and RadioTime are claiming the first in-dash internet radio solution, though in reality, this is a variation on a theme. Instead of smart channels and recommendations, RadioTime offers 10,000 AM, FM and internet radio stations. Hardly a recipe for safe and focused driving, and the rather circuitous iPhone setup introduces plenty of distractions. But this is still exciting nonetheless, especially for deeper music fans.
More broadly speaking, these solutions are best viewed as baby steps towards totally-integrated, web radio solutions. That is certainly on the 'roadmap' for Pandora, though for now, the iPhone remains the provocateur of change.
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