I think that a car MP3 player would work great on the mass market right now.

You need:
1. Good appearance (including display)
2. CD player AND/OR tuner (this is going to be a major sticking point with Joe Average)
3. Interface where everything can be done without using a computer, including setting up playlists
4. Preferable: a way to put music on the device without much technical knowledge (probably with CD player)
5. Preferable: a way to install the unit without massive costs or ripping up the dash
6. Marketing
7. Low cost (sub-$500)


The appearance of the Empeg appeals to a lot of people, but many people like the gaudy crap that others manufacturers are putting out. I really don't know what appearance would appeal to the most people.

Most people do not want to give up radio and CDs. It is true that once they use the device, they will no longer desire to listen to them, but they won't purchase a car stereo without one in the first place.

People are also scared of anything that requires technical knowledge of any kind. It doesn't matter if it really is simple, or if there are detailed step-by-step instructions. If it requires that they hook up more than one cable to it, or use a computer in any way, they won't want to use it. The instant you mention Ethernet, USB, drivers, software installation, or anything like that, you've turned off 90% of the market.

Market share can be grown by word of mouth, but you really need to make people know about your product if you want to sell any. You need your product review to appear when they open up an audiophile magazine or Car and Driver or their local newspaper. You need people to see it when they go to their neighborhood store. When they refer to a car MP3 player, you want them to say YOURPRODUCTNAME, much like they say TiVo for PVR, Ipod for handheld MP3, XM for satellite radio, etc. Commercial spots, sponsorship, etc. will also help you get this recognition. This is the main area that SonicBlue consistently fails.

Perhaps most importantly, the cost needs to be under $500 to get most people to even look at it. Given today's hardware prices, it may be extremely difficult to make a product for cheaper than this and still make a profit. If you make it more expensive than $500, you are only going to hit the niche market, unless, of course, you can get an OEM automobile deal (an extra $500 doesn't look so bad when you are already spending $20,000 or more).

The first companies to build any market have a rough road. However, at this time, consumers ARE ready for a car hdd mp3 player. You just need to present it in a way that they will be able to understand and at a price they understand. The main hurdle right now is price. Sub-$500 and you have a huge market, but is that really possible yet?

-Biscuits