I think that Sonic|blue made less-than-halfhearted effort at marketing Rio

You may think so, but I couldn't possibly comment..

Is further empeg car software development unique to our toys, of (hopefully) there exists a common codebase with some other products

The codebase is common to all products that we develop within the Audio Software Applications team (as we're now called). The Rio Receiver, for example, runs the same code with some alternate build options. We have recently completed (to RC stage) a large project which has, as a side effect, brought about many improvements to the forthcoming Car 2.0 code. That project is entirely unrelated to the automotive market. So, even without specific automotive developments the car player can benefit - but in fact automotive developments are very much at the forefront of our plans right now.

Which way (if any) will SB go: license empeg car technology to some aftermarket manufacturer, or to car manufacturers (or their OEM suppliers)?

Both. We have been working with the world's largest automotive ancilliaries manufacturer for over two years, and more recently have entered into serious discussions with major auto manufacturers and after market car audio brands. In general we can't discuss these projects, but existing Rio Car owners are likely to benefit from them in a number of ways, as well as future customers who will have the opportunity to use our technology via more mainstream routes.

How much dumbed-down will eventual new products be? Will you have any say in it?

Hmm, maybe we should use the term consumer friendly

We are able to offer OEM clients a broad range of modular products. We can and will advise on which features are suited to particular markets, but at the end of the day the product specification is in the hands of the customer. One would assume that they in turn will be influenced by the characteristics of their target audience.

Rob