Wireless gains support

Wi-Fi is seen as the link between consumer electronics and cars.

The transformation of consumer electronics is having a profound impact on automakers, which must figure out the best way to get information into the vehicle. As CDs give way to MP3s and movie viewing becomes more popular, there is a growing push to use wireless networking to transfer files into the car.

The huge success of MP3 players such as Apple's iPod underscores the shift away from CDs. And as DVDs become more popular in cars, the push in consumer electronics may answer which of two next-generation DVD technologies will take over.