CES Showcases Technologies that Bring Internet into Cars and Combat Distracted Driving, Reports Edmunds.com

SANTA MONICA, Calif. January 5, 2011; This year's International CES show, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, will highlight technology that brings Internet access and connectivity into the car, while also introducing features that aim to combat distracted driving, according to Edmunds.com.

"Automakers and suppliers will bring the Internet into cars in an effort to deliver services people are accustomed to getting on their smartphones and computers," says Doug Newcomb, Senior Technology Editor at Edmunds.com who is providing updates from the show at http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/ and http://twitter.com/#!/edmunds. "There are many integration, compatibility and driver distraction issues that will need to be resolved, but we will start to see these technologies in cars in the very near future," he says.

Newcomb identified four car technology trends expected to be shown at the International CES show.

In-Car Internet: While Internet capabilities were first available in cars a few years ago, the trend is currently picking up speed via a wide range of new applications, including onboard Wi-Fi and using a connected smartphone to provide Internet access.

Smartphone Integration: This trend has been gaining momentum, but won't gain a strong foothold until automakers sort out the myriad of competing standards, such as Nokia's Terminal Mode and Apple's iPod Out, to name two. Ford, on the other hand, has decided to move ahead with its own cloud-connected platform via its Sync and MyFord Touch products.

Smartphone Apps: While many cars offer navigation, entertainment and other real-time entertainment now, these features will migrate from on-board and in-dash to off-board and over-the-air, all supplied through smartphone applications or "apps."

Telematics: Telematics services, such as GM's OnStar, will be offered by increasing numbers of automakers. These services will evolve from simple safety-oriented systems to those that offer more infotainment and convenience features.

"Chrysler, Hyundai and Toyota are using CES for major automotive technology premiers this year, and OnStar has already used CES to announce that it is expanding beyond the GM portfolio," noted Edmunds' AutoObserver.com Senior Editor Paul Seredynski, whose reports from CES can be found at http://www.autoobserver.com/. "The automakers recognize that technology is playing an increasingly important role in our lives, and aim to capitalize on that fact."

For more information on new car technology read The Top 10 New Car Technologies of 2010, located at http://www.edmunds.com/car-technology/the-top-10-new-car-technologies-of-2010.html.

About Edmunds.com, Inc. (http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/index.html)

Edmunds.com Inc. publishes Web sites that empower, engage and educate automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site. Its mobile site, accessible from any smartphone at www.edmunds.com, makes car pricing and other research tools available for car shoppers at dealerships and otherwise on the go. InsideLine.com is the most-read automotive enthusiast Web site. Its mobile site, accessible from any smartphone at www.insideline.com, features the wireless Web's highest quality car photos and videos. AutoObserver.com provides insightful automotive industry commentary and analysis. Edmunds.com Inc. is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit. Follow Edmunds.com on Twitter@edmunds and fan Edmunds.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/edmunds.