Cars and Computers - Thinking about Fun

Not only are cars getting smarter, they're also becoming more entertaining. Cabin-mounted VCRs have been around for several years, but this year, factory-installed rear-seat DVD entertainment centers (with LCD screens that fold down from the ceiling) are found in Honda's Odyssey minivan and GM's Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, and Oldsmobile Bravada SUVs. DVD players also show up in a number of aftermarket systems from manufacturers such as Clarion, Kenwood, Panasonic, and Pioneer. They're designed to be set up in various configurations around the cabin, even within the sight line of the driver (though as you'd imagine, we don't recommend watching a film while driving).

Audio systems are also evolving. XM Satellite Radio launched last year with much fanfare and was soon followed by competitor Sirius Satellite Radio. Both promise about 100 crystal-clear digital channels nationwide. By this fall, 23 vehicles should come with XM radios preinstalled, and XM claims that over 76,000 customers have signed up for its $9.99-per-month service. Many aftermarket stereo systems offer MP3 players now, and it's only a matter of time before such capabilities will be expected as a standard feature in audio systems. Automotive supplier (and Ford spin-off) Visteon has been working with startup company PhatNoise to create the MACH MP3 Jukebox, a stereo system with a removable portable hard drive that, similar to an MP3 jukebox, can store and play hundreds of hours of music. Visteon's competitor (and General Motors spin-off) Delphi is developing a wireless network that will download music and movies from your PC to an in-car hard drive at a distance of 300 feet. For TV junkies on the move: Delphi is also experimenting with antennas that may one day bring satellite TV to moving vehicles.