TEXT CAFEARTICLE DISTRIBUTION AND SYNDICATION

“The car is becoming the next digital living room,” asserted Consumer Electronics Association president and CEO Gary Shapiro during a recent press conference.

In fact, CEA suggested that the automobile is becoming the “fourth screen,” along with televisions, computers and mobile devices. This year, sales of in-vehicle technology are expected to top $9.3 billion, the organization reported.

Reflecting this development, president and CEO of Ford, Alan Mulally, will deliver the opening keynote address at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 7-10, 2010, in Las Vegas.

In a move that underscores the shift toward viewing television content on non-traditional devices, the Advanced Television Systems Committee has approved a mobile digital television standard.

The standard defines the technical specifications necessary for U.S. broadcasters to provide TV content and new services to mobile and handheld devices — including mobile phones, small handheld DTVs, laptop computers and in-vehicle entertainment systems — using its digital television transmission system.

The mobile system was developed to support services including advertiser-supported television and interactive services delivered in real-time, subscription-based TV, and file-based content download for playback at a later time. The system might also enable transmission of data broadcasting services.