AutoLinQ initiative taps Android for new connected car initiative

This is a bit of a wild one: some very disparate companies are (apparently) teaming up to conquer the car, Microsoft Sync style. Details are a bit slim at the moment, but Continental Auto Group has announced plans to build what they're calling "the connected car." The new hardware and software system "leverages" the Android Marketplace, and encompasses car-friendly APIs, car-specific in-vehicle apps and a touchscreen interface plugged into a system designed to pull data from the web and control internal car systems. On a sketchier front, Phandroid has done some mucking around, and seems to think Google, BMW, T-Mobile, Wind River and SVOX are all on the short list for involvement. It's hard to say exactly how likely that might be, but we're happy to dream electric dreams of an OHA-style Sync killer along with them. Another shot is after the break.

[Via Phandroid]

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 8th 2009 4:58PM]

Good ad. Let's talk up android, but use a Blackberry in the image. Marketing genius.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 8th 2009 4:58PM]

Fishy...

[superhobo Posted Jun 9th 2009 7:26AM]

I think you meant Firsty

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 8th 2009 5:00PM]

Nice. Not only try to copy the same idea of Microsoft's Sync, but steal one of their feature names, too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_Integrated_Query

[MarcusMaximus Posted Jun 8th 2009 5:04PM]

Open Source projects replicating functionality of other closed sourced ones? Never!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 8th 2009 5:04PM]

I thought hell froze over for a momement.. .a NON-Apple related post?! What is engadget thinking!

[MarcusMaximus Posted Jun 8th 2009 5:05PM]

Don't worry, this'll probably be the only post about this today, and it'll soon get buried by about 30 different articles about the iPhone 3GSleep

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 8th 2009 5:04PM]

Android is sexy and all, but wouldn't consider tapping it, she's been getting around with a lot of other devices lately...

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 8th 2009 5:07PM]

What does Android have got to do with underwhelming iPhone announcements?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 8th 2009 5:13PM]

sweet

[Theli Posted Jun 8th 2009 5:14PM]

Probably has something to do with the text-to-speech features coming in Donut. Cupcake already brought speech recognition.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 8th 2009 5:28PM]

The world of Android is definitely exciting these days.This will be yet another channel for Android app developers to sell their applications.

What were app developers doing, before the iPhone kicked of this whole smartphone app development frenzy?

[kellogs72 Posted Jun 8th 2009 7:23PM]

Think that guy in the pic needs to worry about that goiter growing about the jaw.

[xirsteon Posted Jun 8th 2009 5:31PM]

I'd wait till they release this then I'll lunch my patent trolling campaign...to win some benjamins from every automobile makes and companies involved. M$ and Ford prolly will win big..on these one.

I'm waiting till someone says Voice Control copied Tell Me... :-)

[jpeavy1 Posted Jun 8th 2009 6:12PM]

Initiate the initial AutoLinq initiative initiative! ah-ooo-gah

-jp

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 8th 2009 8:09PM]

Great. Hey, perhaps someone can figure out how to make a good Android phone. I've been waiting for one for years, and with the exception of the abysmal G1, there's nothing. Step the hell up. Yes, I am looking at you Samsung, you Ericsson .. alright, you too Motorolla.