Audi is preparing to integrate a new application store that can be accessed directly through the touch screen of its cars. It will be possible to take advantage of various services such as Spotify, TikTok or The Weather Channel for the weather, but also Google Home Assistant for home automation. Eventually, this will also be available on other Volkswagen Group cars. A first look at your future VW.OS under Android Automotive.
Today, cars are becoming true smartphones on wheels, equipped with screens that are increasingly present, offering more and more features. A trend began with Tesla in its Model S, which from the beginning was compatible with third-party applications such as Spotify or Google Maps. More and more brands are following this trend, such as Renault, which now integrates Waze into its Mégane E-Tech.
For all Volkswagen Group cars
This will also soon be the case for Porsche, which is preparing to switch to Android, allowing owners to take advantage of various Google apps. But that’s not all, since the Volkswagen group now wants to go further. In a press release, the Wolfsburg-based company announces that the Cariad software editor integrated into the German group will offer a new feature in their cars.
In fact, it will soon be possible to take advantage ofa third-party app catalog in the vehicles of the German firm, and in particular in Audi, Porsche and of course Volkswagen. It is the brand with the four rings that will open the ball, as confirmed in another press release. A feature that will be available this summerwhile the exact date has yet to be made official.
But be careful, because not all models will be compatible with this new catalogue. In fact, this will first be the case Audi A4, A5, Q5, A6, A7 and A8, as well as electric Q8 e-tron and e-tron GT. Subsequently, other vehicles in the range will also be affected, without Audi giving more details at the moment. This solution is developed by Cariad, in association with Harman, a company belonging to the Samsung group.
So it will be possible download various applications directly from the touch screen from your car, without having to use your smartphone. These will be accessible in the vehicle, through the MIB3 infotainment system, which is the latest to be offered in the brand’s vehicles. He is currently talking about her when he just lost a lawsuit against his Chinese rival Nio.
many applications
As Audi explains, a module the size of a USB key is built into the car, loaded with an open source operating system (previously under ANDroid AUtomotive) thus allowing access to these applications. If the press release does not give details, it is assumed that only vehicles leaving the factory from this summer will be equipped with it. It remains to be seen if it will possible to go to the dealer to upgrade your vehicle if you already own one.
In total, therefore, there are several dozen applications that owners of Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen can download. Among them, let us mention in particular Spotify, Amazon Music or Tune when it comes to music, as well as the video conferencing app. Cisco Webex encore The Weather Channel for weather and Parkwhiz for parking.
It will also be possible to watch videos on TikTok, although it is expected that this feature will not be allowed when the car is in circulation. Thus, Audi follows in the footsteps of Mercedes, which will also make this application accessible in its future E-Class, whose interior has just been made official. Audi also specifies that its vehicles will continue to be compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Let’s hope now that this system works correctly, since the group was forced to postpone the launch of several models from Audi, Bentley and Porsche last year. At issue, software concerns related to its Cariad subsidiary. The German company is also working on a feature that allows you to take advantage of self-driving on a subscription basis. A service that would be similar to that already offered by Mercedes for its directional rear wheels and BMW for heated seats.
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