: television programs that present information (such as news) in a manner intended to be entertaining
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Infotainment, a blend of "information" and "entertainment," first appeared in the early 1980s. Not everyone approves of "infotainment" and similar pieced-together, media-derived words (e.g., "infomercial" and "edutainment"), however. New York Times Magazine writer Joe Morgenstern referred to "infotainment" as "a plastic word, stuck together with show-biz epoxy." An editorialist for a New England newspaper called it "a nauseating word" that "has crept into the language without an invitation." Unfortunately for such detractors, the word continues to be used today. Not only that, but a new, distinct sense of the word is emerging. People in the automotive industry have recently begun using "infotainment" to refer to the state-of-the-art multimedia technologies (such as GPS systems and Internet radio) now available to drivers at the push of a button.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebBetter connectivity and controls are givens, however, thanks to the U.S.-developed infotainment system/virtual assistant and a 9.8- or 14-inch touch screen, depending on the model. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2022 The infotainment system also supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and rear passengers are treated to two USB ports and a pair of A/C vents. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 7 Sep. 2022 The center console is also home to a second rotary controller, this one for the infotainment system. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 31 Aug. 2022 Renderings of the interior, meanwhile, show a very sleek and modern setup, with a prominent wide-screen infotainment system positioned in the center of the dashboard. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2022 Hornet also gets the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Eric D. Lawrence, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2022 As expected, the infotainment system follows the current Mercedes-Benz Zero Layer concept that simplifies the interface by reducing menus and keeping pertinent information on the screen. Michael Harley, Forbes, 25 July 2022 Hornet also gets the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Eric D. Lawrence, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2022 Hornet also gets the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 16 Aug. 2022 See More