Oh I know you've all been clamoring for this - Ford and its family of 2008 vehicles will be coming with HD radio standard, save for a few ugly stepchild models (details not announced). HD comes over the air and is available for free, offering data about songs and stunning clarity, so you can listen to that annoying morning show or top-40 drivel without worrying about static. Ford also announced that their lines from 2005 to 2007 can be easily retrofitted for the HD. Sadly my green 2001 Focus (named Junebug, if you must know) will be stuck with with standard radio, but then I just bust the iPod to an Aiwa line-in anyway.
HD may garner even less interest than satellite, but at least Ford is trying some novel things. Its Sync technology gives you voice commands over Bluetooth phones and a fairly wide variety of media devices (i.e., not just the standard Apple compatibility). You know what they really need to do though?
Get a persistent data connection. WiFi clearly won't work. The next-gen WiMax might do, but it's all vaporware at this point. No, what they need is to factory install a cell data chip - GSM if you're with AT&T or T-Mobile, CDMA if Sprint or Verizon - and allow streaming from sites that people actually use, like Pandora, Last.fm, or Rhapsody and its various competitors. I can't remember the last time I discovered something from the radio - honestly, I've discovered more music in the last few months from local cafes and their hipster but oh so alluring waitresses who play the Go! Team.
For a cheaper option than factory installed cell chips, stereos could just piggyback off Bluetooth phones that have high-end data options. The cell companies won't like it, but if the auto makers can offer some kickback incentives (free iPhones to get people onto AT&T or what have you) I'm sure there's some way they could make it work. Proprietary is dead guys. Let's get the Internet into the car already.
Ford press release