When Audi showed off the Cross Cabriolet Quattro concept car at the Los Angeles Motor Show, one of the key features was a prototype of streaming internet radio direct to the car. It's a glimpse into a future that's not too far away - a future that could come sooner than you think.

The system by Bang & Olufsen streams the internet radio channels via a mobile internet connection - the same connection that supplies the Google Maps-powered GPS navigation system.

Of course, this next generation of "radio" has tailored its programming to your specific musical tastes, thanks to the car's occupants accepting or rejecting the music tracks (a la Pandora, or Slacker). So it behaviorally builds a custom-made playlist that is able to adapt to your unique tastes. The "perfect" set of channels, with an endless selection of genres available.

Prototypes are one thing, but when will such a system see the light of day?

The answer is 2010, according to the Center For Automotive Research (CAR). CAR conducted supplier interviews that indicate 2010 - which is just over 2 years away - to be when customized and/or on-demand content will be streamed to vehicles.

That content could range from personalized internet radio, to streaming video/movies, to localized alerts and updates, not to mention more robust real-time traffic data using two-way communication.

Combine this trend with the fact that vehicle-based digital storage systems, like the Ford SYNC and Chrysler MyGIG, will continue to proliferate and drop in price. And suddenly it all starts to come together.

These systems, which are essentially built-in harddrives with interfaces made specifically for on-road use, can cache large amounts of data and make up for any signal drop-outs - creating a seamless experience regardless of where you are.

Mobile wireless 3G networks aren't the only way that signal will reach your car (though currently, they could do just fine). If Google has it's way, the 700mhz spectrum that's going up for auction early next year would be "open" to all at wholesale prices. Paving the way for a wireless internet boom as innovative wireless providers, who otherwise couldn't afford to build a national infrastructure themselves, will be able to provide you (and your car) with wireless internet service.

This is the future of "radio" (among other things)... and it could come as soon as 2010. Are you ready for it?

[What Hi Fi?, CNN]

More stuff coming out of the Los Angeles Auto Show. XM Satellite Radio and it's real-time traffic service, XM NavTraffic, will now be available as a factory-installed option on the 2nd-generation (that's the 2009 model year) Nissan Murano.

On top of the 2009 Nissan Murano, XM NavTraffic is also available on the 2008 Nissan Altima Sedan, Altima Coupe, Altima Hybrid, Armada and Pathfinder as part of their navigation packages.

Every 2008 Nissan equipped with XM Radio and XM NavTraffic also comes standard with a 3-month free subscription to XM's services.

According to Popular Mechanics, Nissan is also starting to enter the infotainment arena (a la the Ford Sync) with iPod connectivity, a Bose premium sound system, Bluetooth connectivity, touch-screen navigation, a 9.3GB "music box" hard drive and voice control for the sound system.

The future of the "connected car" is upon us.

Ford will be the first auto manufacturer to offer Sirius' new data services product, which is officially called Sirius Travel Link.

Sirius' technology is being showcased at the annual Los Angeles auto show.on the 2009 Lincoln MKS (pictured above).

I had the chance to play with the retail version of Travel Link, which streams information like weather, local fuel prices and movie time information direct to your vehicle. This is essentially the OEM version of the technology.

Features include:

• Traffic Data - Real-time traffic speed and flow data with accident and incident information
• Weather - Displays current conditions plus 5-day forecasts, as well as storm cell info, hurricane/tropical storm tracking, local wind speeds, and event ski resort conditions.
• Fuel Prices - Sirius Travel Link sorts fuel options by price, distance, or alphabetically from over 120,000 gas stations
• Sports - Stream scores and schedules personalized to your favorite teams
• Movies - Movie times, theater addresses, ratings, and run lengths from over 4,500 movie theaters

Travel Link is impressive because it's really a jump in technology for Sirius, and it takes the data services a step further than most anything we see currently on the market.

It's also nice to see that Ford has solidified its dedication to their partnership with Sirius. With the Ford SYNC and HD Radio partnerships, there was an air of skepticism that Ford is really devoted to satellite radio. The introduction of Sirius Travel Link through Ford is a good sign that the partnership between the two is healthy.

Thanks Rich!