On today's episode, we discuss some digital audio developments from Spotify and iHeartMedia, how podcast advertising can add value, in-car audio entertainment, and what the first flavor of advertising on social audio platforms will look like. We then talk about what to expect from this years' Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Podcast Upfronts, how people are approaching podcast moderation, and the market for podcasts created for children. Tune in to the discussion with eMarketer forecasting analyst at Insider Intelligence Peter Vahle.

Connected cars and autonomous vehicles: Real-time remote analysis will become essential for the auto industry, which is rapidly increasing the number of sensors in its vehicles. 5G-connected IoT devices will also be crucial for AV commercial viability since AVs will have to interact with traffic management systems, weather and road condition data, and other external resources to make decisions in real time

Connected Cars: The Next Frontier. Most media, entertainment, and marketing experts believe connected cars will be one of the next big opportunities for 5G and IoT.

5G will become one of the most promising technologies for facilitating healthcare’s digital transformation. This report analyzes five patient applications of 5G. It also explores forward-looking organizations embracing 5G and how healthcare organizations can follow in their footsteps.

Connected vehicles are changing how people think about mobility. They also have important implications for marketers, who are experimenting with ways to tap the data they produce to engage consumers and drive new revenues.

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said the vehicle’s cruise control systems could be activated by accident, resulting in cars speeding up unexpectedly. Tesla says owners can upgrade their vehicles’ cruise control software remotely. How we got here: Tesla has seen its share of struggles in China, which it considers to be its biggest market for future growth.

For example, in a partnership between IBM and auto manufacturers, blockchain was used to authenticate information from connected cars to ensure that the information remains secure.

Rivian is using its digital safety features and connected car system to offer a personalized and competitively priced insurance program. For example, users can opt to use the Active Driving Assistance, which automatically steers and adjusts driver speed on the highway. This encourages safe driving, lowering the chances of expensive claim payouts.

Spotify has spent hundreds of millions in the past couple of years beefing up its podcast offerings, and it's also integrated into people’s listening habits and devices like in-car touchscreens and smartwatches. Unless Facebook wants to match those investments by buying up the rights to exclusive podcasts, it’s hard to imagine that it will ever hold its own against Spotify.

Over time, Amazon, Google, and others will introduce more head-unit and built-in voice functionality—and sew up more partnerships with automakers—to embed their technology in infotainment systems and connected car platforms. Already, a growing number of cars are coming equipped with built-in voice control, whether it be Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung’s Bixby, manufacturer-based, or something else.

Notably, AT&T has emerged as a leader in the B2B 5G service space, particularly among connected cars, fleet management, monitoring devices, session-based tablets, and other embedded connectivity. AT&T may eventually produce stronger performance figures outside of the consumer space, but that is beyond the scope of this forecast. Other Providers and MVNOs.

Connected cars. Even as the pandemic has slowed auto sales, the share of connected cars on the road is set to continue to jump. Opportunities for customers to pay using their connected cars grew in 2020 as well, thanks to a slew of partnerships, including a high-profile tie-up between ExxonMobil, Amazon, and Fiserv that enables in-car fuel payments.

Automotive’s reduction in digital ad spend comes down to the massive, pandemic-driven slump in car sales in the US. According to automotive research firm Edmunds.com, auto sales in the US hit a 30-year low in April 2020, down 53% from the year prior.

Generations of Canadians have a ritualistic dedication to searching for deals across the border, hopping in cars for day trips for lower prices on most goods, especially alcohol and gasoline. It is relatively simple for a country where 90% of its population lives within 100 miles of the US border. With the advent of online shopping, the trend continues.

According to an Infosys survey of executives worldwide published in October 2019, the most anticipated use cases included everything from connected cars, to smart homes and internet of things (IoT) devices, to VR and AR. Startups are becoming essential drivers in piloting, validating, and bringing to market new use cases for 5G.