If you’ve been shopping for a head unit (also called a deck, AV receiver, stereo or car radio) recently, you may have noticed that a lot of systems are offering internet radio connectivity — often Pandora, although some have apps for Spotify, Grooveshark and other services.
How exactly does that work, you might ask yourself?
The majority of systems use the wireless antenna in your phone and a Bluetooth connection to stream your internet radio station of choice. If you have 3G service and higher (such as 4G or LTE) like in most urban areas, you usually have enough bandwith to stream music through your phone to your car.
Listening to radio through your phone’s antenna does use data, and if you’re on a limited data plan — and most people are these days — then you should ensure you’re always well below the limit before you sign up for an internet radio service that could put you over.
If you set the bit rate as low as 32 kilobits per second (Kbps), you can listen for about seven hours a day before you burn through a 3GB monthly data plan – assuming you never need your phone for anything else! At the highest bit rate (320 kbps), you’re down to about 45 minutes a day. You can get about two-and-a-half times as much music if you compromise on 128 Kbps.
Still, if you don’t use internet radio every day, and are looking for a good alternative to all those annoying morning shows that never seem to play music anymore, internet radio is fun option that’s supported by a growing number of mobile audio solutions.
Adding Internet Radio To Your Car?
There are also a number of ways to add internet to your vehicle, including a growing number of 4G systems that can be mounted under your hood. These devices are similar to the portable data hubs offered by telecoms, only a lot more robust. Prices differ, and a regular subscription fee is required.
This is likely the future of driving, with several car companies and electronic brands announcing connected car concepts at CES 2014 with built-in antennas. Of course, connected cars do a lot more than play radio: systems can give you up-to-the-date weather, updates from social media, email access (including text-to-voice service), real-time information on traffic, and more.
To make your commutes more enjoyable, drop by the store to find out more.
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