A user uploads content such as files containing audio, video, graphical, data, points of interest, and other information from a user device such as a personal computer to a central server over the internet. Upon determining that a trigger event has occurred, communication and processing circuitry in a vehicle device automatically download the previously uploaded content over the interne and a short-range wireless network and store the content for use by a device such as an audio/visual/navigation unit. Examples of a trigger event include proximity to a short-range wireless communication network coupled to the internet, presence within a geofence, turning off a vehicle's engine, or detecting an SMS wake-up message while the vehicle device's main processor, transceivers not used for SMS, and auxiliary circuitry are in sleep mode. The short-range wireless network can be a vehicle owner's home network, or a commercial wi-fi hot spot, or subscription wireless service.