This week at the International Consumer Electronics Show, Toyota unveiled its new Entune multimedia system, which among other features allows users to purchase movie tickets, make dinner reservations, navigate the streets, make hands-free calls, and control their music experience through voice commands.  Users download the Entune mobile app to applicable phones, and then control the applications by using the touch screen or voice commands. An advanced text-to-speech function can verbally read incoming text messages to the driver, even translating common slang and text symbols. It is the latest illustration that autos are increasingly serving as advanced delivery systems for multimedia experiences - including advertising - for consumers.  (via MediaBuyerPlanner).

On any other day in any other market, such an announcement would be big news. It still is of course - but in danger of being drowned out by the smorgasbord of marketing news and developments-to-come emanating out of the CES.

Consider:

Cloud-based digital signage company MediaTile and MarketStar are demonstrating MediaTile's HumanKioskm a product that combines 4G, kiosk and digital-signage technologies to interact with consumers to influence purchase decisions and drive sales. (via Digital Signage Today). Also, the publication noted, Alcatel-Lucent's Connect Program is featuring at the show several technologies including

• Virtual Personal Stylist: an augmented reality retail service consisting of 3D telepresence, video conferencing, cloud computing and ultra-high bandwidth connectivity to provide consumers with professional, personalized styling advice;

• The Gametime Media Table, a network-connected table that provides advertisements and media in a variety of retail and hospitality environments, allowing customers to try before they buy to encourage purchases; and

• Media Hotspot, a digital-age jukebox concept for hospitality or small retail environments that allows consumers the opportunity to purchase their favorite music, movies and more via their mobile phone through 4G/LTE connectivity.

Broadband News

Speaking of high-speed connectivity AT&T announced it was speeding up its 4G LTE deployment and detailed plans to launch 4G, Android Honeycomb-based tablets this year at the show, PC Magazine reported. "Our first 4G tablet will come from Motorola and it's slated to be available in the second quarter," AT&T chief marketing officer David Christopher said. "Additional LTE tablets" will follow in the second half of the year, Christopher said.

Not to be outdone on the tablet front, Dell used CES as a platform to target Generation Y as its "new brand advocates" of its devices optimized for gaming, Facebooking, and similar activities with an emphasis on its news Dell Streak 7, a 7-inch Android tablet that Dell calls "the ultimate social-networking device," CNET reports.

Interactive TV

Yahoo announced that it launched a pilot program called Broadcast Interactivity for its Connected TV service, which will connect advertisers with audiences in real time. (via Utalkmarketing). It is working with a number of broadcasters, including CBS and home shopping retailer HSN, to add interactive features to broadcasts aired on sets with Yahoo’s Connected TV software.