It's not uncommon to spot a minivan with a similar mini TV broadcasting kid-friendly shows in the interest of keeping on-board children entertained - and their driving parents sane. Kids are scientifically less likely to squeal "are we there yet?!" if Spongebob Squarepants is doing whatever it is a talking sea sponge does. Or maybe they're occupied with texting friends on a fancy phone.
Could tablets, with their myriad functions, ubiquitous appeal and large screens, supplant vehicular boob tubes and smart phones as the car-based distraction of choice in the future?
Luca De Ambroggi, Senior Analyst of Automotive Infotainment at IHS iSuppli, believes that the inherent flexibility of tablets is a huge factor when it comes to the possibility of implementing them into vehicles. Moreover, he argues that competition between manufacturers such as Apple and Motorola has improved the medium and could potentially hasten the spread of tablets as entertainment solutions for car passengers.
De Ambroggi lamented that the most popular tablet, the iPad 2, lacks a USB host interface - something which is included in the upcoming Google Honeycomb tablet, he says.
He's quick to note, however, that this doesn't necessarily mean smart phones will be completely ignored during car trips. Despite the miniscule screen size when compared to tablets, the analyst believes they will remain a major player in the realm of car infotainment.
The biggest hurdle for tablets in cars is the price tag, De Ambroggi said.
Currently, the least expensive iPad 2 option right now costs $499. First generation models are still pricey, sitting at well over $300 on Amazon. Samsung's Galaxy tablets run a little cheaper, and Motorola's XOOM launched at prices comparable to Apple's higher-end iPad models.
The researcher does believe that "competition will push prices down in the near future" and that car makers may want to get on board with such a trend as it would enhance their "image and branding."
In that case, a future full of kids wielding tablets whilst being bandied to soccer practice or adults reading novels from the comfort of a backseat seems a little more likely.
