 RAIN 2/11: Last.fm deal enables Shazam users to instantly create stations based on ID'ed songs ·Feb 11, 11:50 AM CBS Radio-owned webcaster Last.fm has formed a partnership with popular music identification mobile The new Last.fm feature is available to users of Shazam’s premium $5 mobile app. Read more here. RAIN ANALYSIS: WHERE’S MY KINDLE CAR?Ford recently unveiled its MyFord Touch [RAIN coverage here], a “re-envisioned dashboard for multimedia, navigation and connections to the Internet,” writes PC World. The big news for Internet radio is the system’s built-in capability to control the Pandora application on a connected smartphone. (MyFord Touch is an update to the carmaker’s Sync system, the dashboard interface that taps into a connected smartphone and can access certain apps, to (for instance) stream Internet radio.) While this will make listening to webcasts while driving easier and safer, it’s not quite “the finish line” when it comes to getting Internet radio into automobiles. And here’s why:
When it comes to strictly accessing Internet radio in the car, new systems like these (the MyFord Touch joins other recently-announced in-dash Internet radio-enabled systems from Pioneer and Alpine in its OEM Pandora support) don’t really go much beyond what my Palm Pre and built-in FM transmitter can do in my beat-up 1994 Ford Escort Wagon. That is, they still rely on a smartphone to stream Internet radio. Obviously, this fact immediately shuts out the majority of potential Internet radio listeners who don’t own smartphones. And no matter how easy the system is to use, it’s still harder than switching on the AM/FM radio. What I want to see is a “Kindle car”: an auto with an Internet connection built-in, the cost for which is bundled into the sale price. Kindle buyers currently pay $259-$489 for not only an ebook device, but a permanent wireless Internet connection with no monthly fees. The cost for that Internet connection is built in to the sale price. Car manufacturers should pursue a similar plan. If they did, anyone could listen Internet radio without a second thought. You wouldn’t need an external device, nor would you need to mess with routers or monthly fees. Just press the “Pandora,” “Last.fm” or “AccuRadio” button on your dashboard and the music starts playing. Only then will Internet radio truly overtake AM/FM in cars. Until then, Internet radio will have to prove it’s worth the hurdles. — Associate editor Michael Schmitt share: del.icio.us.  Reddit  Digg  Yahoo  Wink  Windows  Google  Newsvine 
CommentCommenting is closed for this article.  Other stories RAIN has upgraded (and moved)! RAIN 9/13: RAIN Summit Chicago takes place today! RAIN 9/12: First Summit in RAIN's hometown takes place tomorrow RAIN 9/9: Summer holidays, "doldrums" impact July Webcast Metrics, but audience up over last year RAIN 9/8: Clear Channel launches new customizable iHeartRadio beta; RAIN goes hands-on RAIN 9/7: Meet more speakers you'll hear at RAIN Summit Chicago in less than a week RAIN 9/6: Clear Channel taps The Echo Nest to take on Pandora RAIN 9/2: RAIN reviews Spotify's radio-like product Artist Radio RAIN 9/1: UK online radio aggregator Radioplayer campaigns b'dcasters to create "all radio" ratings RAIN 8/31: Execs from Merlin, Triton Digital, jacAPPS and more to appear at RAIN Summit Chicago |
app Shazam, in which a Last.fm station can be created on-the-fly when Shazam identifies a song. The new channel will stream additional songs by the tagged artist, and other tracks representing similar styles and genres.
