Report: Apps Downloaded to Cars to Jump 36x in Five Years

Software applications downloaded directly into cars will surge from about 12 million last year to 4.3 billion by the end of 2018, predicts Allied Business Intelligence Inc.

ABI says the boom will generate global revenue of nearly $1.7 billion in five years.

The firm's Automotive Infotainment Research Service says most of the apps will be for infotainment systems. It notes that competition to become the de facto standard for in-car downloads over the next several years will be among open source, open standard and proprietary in-car systems. The contest will involve carmakers, suppliers and such giants as Apple and Google.

The firm's analysis says increased installation of Bluetooth short-range wireless capabilities in cars will help drive the app market.