Last year in this newsletter (formerly known as Radio3D), we explored how radio’s in-car usage is increasingly affected by other technologies and options for entertainment in the car.

While radio is still the most prominent and universal media for in-car entertainment, there are a growing number of audio entertainment options entering the auto market.

It’s a meaningful trend for radio, because depending on the format, some stations earn over 60% of their AQH (average quarter hour) audience share from in-car listening. In fact, you’d be hard pressed NOT to find a market in the USA with at least one station that has lost time spent listening with audience at-work and at-home, but has largely survived on in-car listening.

Audio is just one of many ways that the experience of a driver is evolving. A number of tech bloggers, including Mashable contributor, Amy-Mae Elliott, have been speaking to the evolution of connected automobiles.

Your car as a credit card? Already, you can use a “smart card” or remote RFID device to automatically pay tolls. There is new technology available too from Skymeter, a financial GPS solution that could allow drivers to pay for all sorts of things automatically. Skymeter CEO Kamal Hassan told Mashable, “With Financial GPS, consumers can get one bill at the end of the month for every car-related cost: their parking, insurance, lease, roads, even full repair coverage.”

WWW in the CAR? Car and Driver magazine says that nearly 25% of all cars will be connected to the internet within five years. Ford has been at the forefront of integrating new technology into the car. They partnered with Microsoft to develop the new in-car communications and entertainment system called Ford Sync. Some of the developments in the pipeline for Ford include a web browser in the car (for when it’s parked), the ability for the car to update its software automatically by downloading updates via WiFi, and voice activated commands to control music, air conditioner, and other features.

Apps for the car? BMW, Ford, and GM are among the companies that have already designed companion apps for some of their cars. Imagine the ability to unlock your car, start the car, sound the horn, or control your cars temperature, all from an app. Those are all developments on the way. You may also see more in-car audio entertainment controlled in the car via app.

How much do you depend on in-car listening at your station? What percentage of your AQH share comes from listeners who turn on the station in the car? Are you poised to take advantage of new technology in the car? Or, are you ignoring the trend?

The best broadcasters are looking for new ways to engage with listeners outside of the AM/FM space. How is your company addressing the growing in-car competition? Share your story with me at connected@radio-info.com, and we’ll share the best comments in next week’s connected from Radio-Info.