In-car jukebox for the 21st century

The six-disc CD changer is already looking like an antique as cars are coming equipped with better ways to carry your record collection on board.

Bluetooth and beyond
Possibly the most surprising thing about the Ford Sync system is that it's available on the Focus, a small economy car. It doesn't require a large LCD screen in the car, although it's easier to operate with one.
Bluetooth and beyond
Pros: Now becoming available in inexpensive models, nothing to hook up
Cons: Requires phone or player with Bluetooth, functionality varies, initial set-up can sometimes be tricky

Now commonly available on new cell phones and some MP3 players, Bluetooth is a technology that basically replaces cables for connecting things to computers or other devices.

The most common use in cars is to enable hands-free phone calls without having to plug the phone into a headset. There's a one-time set-up required, but you don't even have to take the phone out of your pocket after that. Just get in the car and start the car. Your cell phone instantly becomes a fully integrated car phone.

But many Bluetooth-enabled cell phones are also MP3 players. Some products just hitting the market now enable the cell phone to become your in-car music library as well.

It's not only available on expensive luxury models. Ford's Sync system is available as an option on the 2008 Focus economy car. Besides the wireless Bluetooth connection, Sync also has ports for a USB connection or a simple audio cable connection.

Motorola says it will soon have a similar system available that can be easily added to a car after it's been bought. One of the devices won't even require installation and will simply clip to a car's sun visor, using an FM radio signal to send music to the car's stereo.

Also coming soon, some manufacturers could be offering systems that allow you to buy songs as you hear them on satellite radio stations, according to Hughes Telematics, the company that created the technology.

That way, you could fill your music library with brand new tunes as you drive.


CDs

Connectors

iPod

Flash

Hard-drives

Bluetooth
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Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.