The companies behind NextRadio and HD Radio say there’s lots of automaker interest in their prototype of a combined platform, one that demonstrates the possibilities of interactive digital radio in connected cars.

The first implementation combines FM analog and digital over-the-air radio services with visual and digital capabilities of the NextRadio smartphone app.

It’s a product offering that would help to keep radio relevant, according to Bob Struble, president/CEO of HD Radio developer iBiquity Digital. He believes that soon, “every device that comes with an AM/FM tuner will also have connectivity. Instead of viewing that as a threat, we view that as an opportunity to pair the efficient, free, over-the-air broadcast service with connectivity.”

For more, see Radio World.