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Kia unveils its electric and autonomous future
Kia's showed off a new Niro EV along with its plans for an electrified and autonomous future (aka mobility). The electric concept shows that the company is thinking beyond gas and hybrid crossovers, but also showcases a new HMI (Human Machine Interface). It'll show up in showrooms in the later half of 2018.
Kia brings Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to older cars
For many, the biggest problem with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay is getting it in the first place. Unless you buy a very recent car, you're likely stuck buying an aftermarket head unit to drag your vehicle into the smartphone era. Kia thinks it can do better, though. It's promising free updates to both Android Auto and CarPlay for a slew of vehicles that have either the UVO3 infotainment system or a compatible navigation system.
Kia and Hyundai could offer Android-based in-car systems in all vehicles next year
While Tesla is still in the early stages of considering an Android emulator, Korea's ETNews reports that Hyundai and Kia are already bringing the platform (or, at least, a derivative of it) to all their cars by 2014. Kia's Android-based in-car AVN system, UVO 2.0, comes with an app store of its own and connects to iOS and Android smartphones for multimedia. We took the navigation software for a spin as early as 2012, but it didn't debut until Kia started selling the 2014 Sorento earlier this year. After months of keeping a low profile, UVO 2.0 will begin its time in the spotlight on the new Kia Soul and Hyundai Genesis slated to come out in late 2013.
Google and Kia partnership will bring Google Maps and Places to new cars this year
Korean car-maker Kia is set to give its UVO eServices telematics a huge shot in the arm, teaming up with Google to offer its next-generation navigation system. The new setup will debut in this year's Sorento CUV, which is scheduled to arrive in Q1. Kia's updated (once Microsoft-assisted) UVO system will allow users to send directions and locales from their smartphone (or the web) to your new ride. Baked-in Google Places will also inform you of your nearest dealership (even when you're already in that new Kia) while existing music management, hands-free features and improved voice recognition will all be wrapped into the same interface. Kia explains it all in the full press release after the break.
Kia UVO2 is your Korean big brother, we go hands-on
Kia's first entry into the infotainment realm had a slightly rocky start, but the Korean automaker is back at CES this year with UVO2, its second-generation in-dash telematics and connectivity platform. The big features in UVO2 include automatic crash notification, incorporated road-side assistance, service reminders and a brace of new vehicle tracking and geo-fencing features to make sure your teens don't stray too far, go too fast or stay out too late. Partner all that with an updated iPhone app that keeps track of maintenance and includes a vehicle finder that uses AR to find your ride, and it's a comprehensive update. But for now, Kia isn't saying exactly when UVO2 is hitting the market and how much the system will cost when it arrives. Get a taste of the new system in the hands-on after the break.
Kia and Microsoft Uvo system hands-on and video
Tucked in between the Nexus One and a display of storage cards at an event last night was something a little unusual - an SUV. Not a jacked-up, tricked-out, neon-dragging customized one that we typically see around these parts but a bone-stock, 2011 Kia Sorento. Well, stock except for one option: Uvo. The recently-announced partnership with Microsoft has been realized in the plastic and we got a chance to check it out. While on its own it is impressive -- but just hours after sitting down with Ford to check out the latest Sync and MyFord technology it's a little less soo. Ignoring the competition for now, Kia's offering does look good. It's functionally comparable to early Sync, enabling easy access to media on 1GB of internal storage, on a USB-connected drive, or even on a CD. You can rip from CD straight to internal memory or to a thumb drive, an interesting feature we're not sure is particularly useful. The touchscreen display is a nice improvement over the two-line Sync readout, but mind if you get this you'll have to opt out of in-dash GPS. Good thing you splurged and got that Droid, right? Check out some screens in the gallery below, and there's a quick video demo after the break. %Gallery-81884%
Microsoft and Kia formalize partnership, Uvo is born
It's been known for some time that Microsoft's automotive passions couldn't be sated exclusively by Ford, at least not for long. Sync has been giving the blue oval some serious tech cred for years now, and while we're still eagerly awaiting the SHO to get its own app store, we've also been wondering what other, fresher companies will do with the tech given the chance. We'll be finding out next week, with Microsoft and Kia launching Uvo (short for "your voice"), the fruits of a partnership that we've known about since 2008. It's another implementation of Microsoft's Windows Embedded Technologies, the guts behind Sync, and so while we expect that'll mean the two systems will be inherently very similar, we're also expecting a fresh new skin and some funky new functionality. How funky? Sadly neither of the two are willing to say just yet, but you'll have all the details as soon as we do -- about this time next week.
