This is some sort of weird Mobius strip of integration: Radio could be considered the earliest form of in-car technology; much later down the road, the Internet took a big leap when radio players were introduced online; now, Ford's in-car infotainment system, Sync, will be rolling out a new application that allows drivers to access -- you guessed it -- Internet radio. In their cars. Which already offer regular radio.

The system will allow drivers to access Web radio stations such as (reportedly) Pandora, as well as other Internet applications. The new software -- called SyncLink as a prototype name -- will operate in an open-source development environment, allowing developers to create applications for the infotainment system in the same way that companies develop applications for the iPhone, which now supports more than 100,000.

While an actual working relationship between Ford and Pandora has been reported, denied and clarified -- without a clear consensus -- it's obvious that the relationship would benefit both companies. While the iPhone's original appeal was its sleek design and, frankly, the legion of Apple brand die-hards, the company has differentiated its product from other smart phones through its embrace of open-source applications. iPhone apps let you do everything from add GPS to your phone to search for wine reviews in a restaurant to keep up with your Twitter account. Moving the application platform to an in-car system is a smart move, and definitely in keeping with Ford's earlier pledge to democratize technology.

(Source: Detroit Free Press.)