Competition. It’s the name of the game in technology.  And even as smartphones and tablets seem to hog the spotlight, there’s several other devices being incorporated into this connected world we live in.  There’s a a new generation of voice-recognition systems that bring automobiles into the conversation, connecting them to our commands and our cloud.

“Smartphones have become a major part of people’s lives; manufacturers are responding to that,” said Kathy McMahon, senior manager of GM’s infotainment group.

“Infotainment systems are one of the top five reasons people cite for purchasing a new vehicle. It’s a very big deal.”

Other big automobile makers such as Chrysler, General Motors, Toyota, and Hyundai, have been playing catch up ever since Ford started its Sync voice-recognition system way back 2007.   They aim to offer the best and highest quality voice control and connectivity for phones and music players, rolling in easy navigation for web services to help with directions, traffic information, and gas prices without sacrificing driver’s safety and security.

“Everything we do has to be geared toward keeping people’s hands on the wheel and eyes on the road,” GM infotainment senior manager Kathy McMahon said. GM’s Buick, Chevrolet and GMC brands have a new system combining the convenience of touch-screen, voice-recognition and conventional controls for navigation, audio, phone, streaming Internet audio and more.  Cadillac is expecte to be getting their own version of the system by next year.

Joining the race is Toyota with their new system Entune – a combination of phone voice recognition and navigation with Pandora Internet radio including Bing Web searches.

With these features, it is going to be a deal-breaker for some customers.  Technology integration is going to be a big deal competitively, according to Stephanie Brinley of EMC Strategic Communications in Troy.

“Your car is quickly becoming another digital device,” said Joni Christensen, head of marketing for Chrysler’s Uconnect system. “People expect to be able to use their entertainment and communication devices with it. Our challenge is to make it simple so the vehicle remains the center of their attention. Driving is paramount. Everything else is secondary.”

Automobiles are the latest frontier for connected devices, enhancing the marketing potential of a new device, and promoting safety through the perks of connectivity.  But being the newest the join the connected devices family means that they’re also amongst the most vulnerable.  Automobiles are the newest victims of hacking, as cybercriminals evolve around consumer technology trends.  It’s another opportunity for security firms, as they stretch their services across any device with an internet connection.

Nevertheless, the benefits of being to connected even in the car is something that is ageless according to Stephanie Brinley of EMC Strategic Communications.  “A 21-year-old may use it to stream music and an 81-year-old can use the same device for directions and security.”