Take a close look at this shot of Toyota’s Entune infotainment screen courtesy of engadget (click to enlarge). Of course Pandora is there, but look just above it. You’ll see iheartradio.
As reported some time ago, when Toyota rolled out Entune, all the headlines were about Pandora's coup. Few stories bothered to mention that Clear Channel had also cut a deal, and iheartradio would be on the screen as well.
At the time we observed that:
Apparently it hasn't occurred to writers that an Internet equipped car means that drivers can also listen to alternatives to Pandora including the streams of local radio stations.
As the screen shot illustrates, Pandora’s lead in securing screen real estate will fade as mobile streaming becomes more common and more apps compete for space.
The digital dashboard will open up opportunities for all streaming radio stations including local radio stations.
As we pointed out in January:
Broadcast radio groups are well positioned to capitalize on Internet radio's development. Pandora might seem to have a tremendous lead in mobile streaming right now, but this will turn out to be another tortoise and hare story.
And don't forget, the tortoise won that one.
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