One of the biggest things holding back digital radio has been the lack of car manufacturers including it in the car. According to CNet, BMW has become the first company to offer the digital radio technology as an optional extra in its 5 Series and 7 series cars next month.
The optional extra will cost $750 for the 7 Series and $900 for the 5 Series, with the 6 Series to get the option later in the year. Given that we’re seeing the commercial broadcasters offering bonus airtime to manufacturers who offer DAB+ in new vehicles, it’s safe to say we should all start hearing more ads for BMW over the radio in the near future.
[CNet]
hugh
Monday, April 4, 2011 at 12:04 PMFinal! dab+ will only really become mainstream when its in lots of cars. How long till we see it in a Toyota yaris i wonder?
Kyal Erdman
Monday, April 4, 2011 at 12:49 PMHopefully never.
Cameron
Monday, April 4, 2011 at 12:19 PMI’ll keep this in mind when purchasing my new BMW 7 Series.
Naveen Golyala
Monday, April 4, 2011 at 6:35 PMJolly Good old chap, be sure to chose all the optional extras, I know i did on my imaginary Maybach
Dave
Monday, April 4, 2011 at 12:38 PMI have DAB in my car now. Cost me all of $70
radio-head
Monday, April 4, 2011 at 1:51 PMhow is that Dave? what’s the setup?
Greg
Monday, April 4, 2011 at 1:32 PMSad, really, considering the vast majority of cars in the US have had XM/Sirius sat radio built in for years.
Normandy
Monday, April 4, 2011 at 1:59 PMDAB is dead, the internet has killed normal radio. Deal with it
Matt
Monday, April 4, 2011 at 5:20 PMYes, but for the vast majority having DAB+ in your next car is more likely than having a permanent data connection (with data allowances to allow large volume of streaming).
Adski
Monday, April 4, 2011 at 6:57 PMDoubt it, that won’t be the case until the internet is more reliable than it’s radio counterparts which it isn’t at the moment. As with most technology it will compliment the other technologies.
You still can’t get talk back or radio interviews on your way to work with live news updates through the use of the internet.
matt
Monday, April 4, 2011 at 8:17 PMthis is complete BS!! how can it cost more than $50 to add a DAB receiver to the car audio setup…
it should be in EVERY new car with the cost being so negligible that it should come as standard… I mean, what about all the cars that screw around with “ipod” connectivity through blutooth!!! what a waste of time!! yet you have THAT forced down your throat with most new cars!!
I have no idea what is so amazingly complicated about digital radio…