Car of the Year 2007
The Changing Face of Music on the Move
The Changing Face of Music on the Move

The Changing Face of Music on the Move

Motoring in the 1960s couldn't have been easier. Winding down the windows of a Ford Cortina and pushing the buttons on a transistor radio was all that most drivers had to contend with. However, the digital age has changed the way we work, the way we play, and now the way we enjoy music on the move.

Today, the average Halfords, the UK's leading retailer of in-car entertainment, will be bursting with a whole host of audio solutions designed to help you get where you are going, with maximum entertainment and convenience.

Through the decades Halfords has driven a whole host of changes, from the introduction and demise of the radio cassette player withdrawn after 20 years in 2006, through to the age of the iPod and satellite navigation.

Driven by an insatiable consumer demand for the latest products, Halfords is constantly introducing the hottest new in-car technology to please its customers. Since January 1999, CD's have far outsold the long-standing radio cassette, but even CDs (once hailed as an 'indestructible' way to listen to music and watch movies) look set to become a thing of the past as we make way for MP3 both in and out of the car.

So, what next for music on the move? Halfords Marketing Manager Clare Pritchard explained, "The popularity of MP3 players, particularly Apple's iPod, has risen considerably in recent years, so we know that portable music solutions are key for our customers. One of the newest solutions comes in the shape of the A2DP Audio Streaming, which enables the user to send music from their mobile or portable device to the car speakers via Bluetooth, a fantastic solution for motorists who already store music on their mobile phone.

"While Ford, BMW, Volvo and Nissan have already produced cars that are fitted with integrated sockets for your MP3 player, for motorists that don't have the luxury of the latest model, Halfords range of A2DP compatible products offer an accessible alternative."

Halfords boasts a comprehensive selection of in-car MP3 player technology that can be used in your car from £4.99 to £399.99. The LG LAC7700R, currently available for just £149.99, is A2DP compatible and features a Bluetooth CD radio, with a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and MP3 playback so you can play up to 100 tracks on one MP3 CD.

Not only do consumers want their entertainment on the move, they want to be able to get from A to B with as little effort as possible. Enter the satellite navigation generation. Gone are the days of pulling into a lay-by to flick through the pages of a super sized map book before hitting the open road without really knowing whether you would reach your destination without getting lost along the way. With the latest technology from Garmin, exclusively available at Halfords, it has never been easier to get from A to B.

The Garmin Nuvi 660FM (top right) is packed with excellent features including a 4.3 loaded safety camera information and free traffic updates so you can avoid jams. Once you've got your destination programmed in, why not turn your attention to the built-in MP3 player, JPEG viewer, audio book player and a built-in FM transmitter - meaning you can listen to your sat nav audio through your speakers wirelessly. Need to answer a call legally? The Nuvi 660FM comes complete with blue tooth hands free calling and text to speech all routed through your car speakers. And at £399.99 this system offers fantastic value.

Clare continues: "Satellite navigation continues to be popular with our customers. The units themselves are becoming more and more sophisticated to allow for features such as live traffic updates, Bluetooth connectivity and photo mapping. Convenience is key, and more customers than ever before are finding that satellite navigation holds the secret to a less stressful journey and improved route planning."

For more information about Halfords music on the move or satellite navigation solutions see in-store for details. For store locations visit www.halfords.com or call 08457 626625.
 
 
Sky Channel 111, Virgin TV 126, Freeview 19
Dave On TV Now

Dave  All UKTV