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Honda's in-car Connect system does Android its own way (hands-on)
We just checked out Honda's Connect solution for in-car entertainment and navigation, and while it's Android-based, it's not Android Auto -- just Android, period. Still, it's one of the first car companies to offer Google's OS in-dash, despite an odd implementation. For starters, if you're looking for the latest software, it's far from that. The system has stepped back in time to Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4, even though it uses NVIDIA's latest Tegra chip. But Android Auto was only just announced recently, which may not have matched Honda's timetable. In addition, the car company has its own suite of car apps that may not be compatible with the latest and greatest Android flavors. All things considered though, it has serious potential -- check our impressions below.
Apple CarPlay comes to Pioneer stereos as Spotify adds support
Apple's fledgling CarPlay infotainment system just got a little more useful thanks to updates from Pioneer and Spotify. The former has updated some of its stereos to include support from today, while the latest version of the popular music streaming app adds CarPlay functions for the first time. This means users can control the app through supported systems. Spotify was listed as one of very few app launch partners for CarPlay, and was included in a demo we checked out back in March. Similar services like Beats Music, iHeartRadio and Stitcher have also pledged to support the system. Virtually every major manufacturer has promised to include CarPlay in their vehicles at some point, although at the moment your only options are to buy a Ferrari FF or an aftermarket unit from Pioneer.
AT&T's connected car tech now delivers weather, radio and parking help
If you're frustrated that many cars still don't have internet-savvy software built-in, take heart: AT&T just gave its Drive connected car platform a big boost with the addition of six big-name apps. Automakers who put Drive in their infotainment systems can now easily give you forecasts on the road through AccuWeather, as well as customized listening through iHeartRadio, Stitcher or Tribune's Newsbeat. You can also share your whereabouts through Glympse, and find that all-important parking spot using Streetline's Parker. You'll have to wait for manufacturers to roll these apps into their vehicles before you see the benefit, but don't be surprised if your next ride is that much smarter.
OnStar's in-car 4G LTE: fast on the highway, but still needs a tune-up
From a public relations perspective, it was a good plan: round up a handful of journalists, cram them in 4G LTE connected cars, and showcase OnStar's new network by using it to host teleconference interviews from the beach. A good plan, but one still subject to the follies of network connectivity. After spending several hours connected to GM's "Connected by OnStar 4G LTE" fleet of 2015 sedans, I can unequivocally say it's the best LTE experience I've ever had at 70 miles per hour -- but it's far from perfect.
Volvo, Honda, Hyundai cars to be cross-compatible with iOS, Android
Volvo announced today that it is joining the Open Automotive Alliance and will be bringing Apple's CarPlay and Android Auto to its vehicles in the future. Starting with the new XC90, Volvo's cars will use a brand new Scalable Product Architecture which allows the cars to be compatible with both services. Hyundai and Honda have also both confirmed that while they are introducing Android Auto to their vehicles in the future, they will still offer CarPlay as well. In Honda's case, the cars will be able to automatically detect the driver's smart phone OS. Since the introduction of Apple's CarPlay service, the question has hung in the air about if iOS and Android based car integration systems could co-exist. Cross compatibility is important; there are plenty of families with members who have different phones across multiple operating systems. Beyond just the usability issue, there are market forces to consider. For these in-car control systems to truly take off they're going to need a large rate of adoption. It would be short-sighted for a car company to tell customers who just spent tens of thousands of dollars on a new car that they need to buy a brand new phone just to use of of the car's main features. The good news is more and more manufactures are announcing cross compatibility as they announce their smartphone connectable vehicles. Let's hope for the best.
Google gives us a simulated ride with Android Auto
Meet Google's answer to Apple's CarPlay: Android Auto. It's a new platform announced today at the annual orgy of software and hardware development known as Google I/O, and it puts the (almost) full power of Android in your car. Why almost? Well, despite the fact that the system leverages your smartphone to power your car's infotainment system, you don't get access to all your apps. It has a limited selection of options that are suitable for use on the road and optimized for an in-dash interface, and I got to see several of them in action in an Audi S3.
Windows Phone may come to your car with Cortana as copilot
Microsoft has a home in the automotive world, but it doesn't have a way to bring a phone's interface to your car's infotainment system -- there's no Windows Phone equivalent to Apple's CarPlay. That might change before long, though. The software giant used a presentation at this week's Build conference to show off Windows in the Car, a conceptual platform that would adapt Windows Phone's apps and basic functions to in-vehicle interfaces. Not surprisingly, the MirrorLink-based tech looks like a cross between Microsoft's mobile and desktop interfaces; while you're running mobile apps, they get more on-screen buttons than usual to help you complete tasks faster and keep your eyes on the road. The software also focuses more on voice commands (Cortana is mentioned as a good fit), and it could eventually restrict complex app functions while you're driving. You might not get to add music to a playlist until you're parked, for instance.
Mercedes wants to bring CarPlay to older vehicles this year
The biggest catch of Apple's CarPlay (aside from platform support) is its limitation to newer vehicles; at last check, most people won't buy a new car just to get better smartphone integration. Mercifully, Mercedes-Benz tells 9to5 Mac that it's planning to deliver an "after market solution" for older cars by the end of 2014. The automaker isn't providing many details, although there's a good chance that its solution involves more than a simple software upgrade. Other brands haven't outlined their plans for aftermarket CarPlay support, but it's early days -- don't be surprised if there are more announcements once manufacturers are ready to show their cards.
Apple is reportedly launching iOS in the Car next week with Ferrari, Mercedes and Volvo
Apple's iOS in the Car has been a long time in coming -- we first heard about the automotive interface last June, and it still isn't ready despite the presence of relevant code in recent iOS 7 builds. The wait may soon be over, though, as the Financial Times hears that Apple will unveil formal car integration deals with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo next week. There aren't more forthcoming details, although the rumored announcement implies that the automakers could name compatible models and possibly show the technology in action. We wouldn't refer to iOS in the Car as Apple's "first in-car operating system," like the FT does -- it's still dependent on an iPad or iPhone to work. Even so, any potential launch next week would represent a big step forward for 1 Infinite Loop's in-car efforts, which haven't advanced much since iPod Out. [Image credit: Steve Troughton-Smith, YouTube]
Ford's 2015 Focus brings touchscreen Sync technology to Europe
Europe regularly gets Ford's latest cars, but it hasn't been so lucky with Sync -- the continent typically has to make do with the basic version rather than MyFord Touch. Locals won't have to settle when the 2015 Focus rolls out in the second half of the year, though. The redesigned car will bring Sync 2, which is effectively MyFord Touch under a new name; drivers get a similar 8-inch touchscreen interface with sophisticated control over the climate system, media playback, navigation and AppLink support. The 2015 refresh should bring a few welcome tech upgrades no matter where you live, including a now-standard rearview camera as well as optional blind-spot detection and lane warnings. Ford isn't giving out prices at this stage, although we wouldn't expect this newest Focus to cost much more than the outgoing model.
With the Snapdragon 602A, Qualcomm looks to improve the connected car
In addition to announcing a version of its Snapdragon 800 processor tweaked for your home theater, Qualcomm is introducing a chip made specifically for in-car entertainment. The Snapdragon 602A, unsurprisingly, shares several specs with the Snapdragon 600 chip seen in mobile devices, but it's made to meet the automotive industry's requirements for temperature, longevity and more. It also packs in plenty of additional tech, which we'll get to in a minute. Qualcomm's been involved in the connected-car space for about a decade, with 3G and 4G modules to show for it. Though it offers Gobix 9x15 3G/4G LTE modules along with WiFi and Bluetooth, the 602A is ambitious on more than just the connectivity front: The chip will initially power infotainment -- serving multiple video streams to numerous screens in your car, for instance -- but will pave the way for more advanced connectivity and safety features. For example, facial-recognition support could let you start the car by looking in a camera, and gesture recognition could enable a smarter backup cam. As with the Snapdragon 802, the goal behind the 602A is to bring the dynamic app experience of smartphones and tablets to a different environment. This means improved 3D navigation, cloud-based software and integration with mobile devices, among many other things. Support for both Android and QNX gives carmakers options for building their own infotainment systems that comply with the automotive industry's requirements, as well. Qualcomm hasn't mentioned a timeframe at this point, but we have it on good authority that such an announcement is coming this week.
Chevrolet and OnStar announce in-car 4G LTE connectivity and curated AppShop
Chevrolet, AT&T and OnStar banded together yesterday at CES 2014 to offer us a glimpse of the heart of the Connected by OnStar 4G LTE infotainment offering: AppShop. The new service will feature a curated collection of HTML5 apps -- read: So if you're driving in the sticks and are out of cell range, your apps mostly won't work -- focused on music, weather, news and vehicle telematics all connected via AT&T's LTE network. All cars that include the OnStar 4G LTE service will also feature a WiFi access point built into the car with support for up to seven devices -- taking advantage of the same AT&T LTE link, though, still no word on the data service's pricing. We had a peek at an AppShop-equipped Impala and were most impressed with its Vehicle Health app, which shows any issues with your car from "oil health" to tire pressures. Think of it as a usable replacement for the "Check Engine" light seen on most car's dashboards, but rather than simply blinking orange it translates the error into something a tad more user friendly. Aside from car health and warnings the app enables the driver to schedule an appointment for service without having to pick up the phone. For example, by simply selecting your preferred dealership and then clicking on a date in the calendar-like display you're then presented with AM or PM time slots, and available time in either. Chevrolet's AppShop will initially be offered in its Canadian and US MyLink-equipped 2015 model-year Corvette, Impala, Equinox, Volt, Malibu, Silverado and Silverado HD. Follow our tour in the short video below.
Afternoon news roundup for December 30, 2013
Good evening! If you've been otherwise occupied today, here are some of the Apple stories that you may have missed this afternoon: Fitbit released an update to its iOS app bringing some minor changes in the UI, along with a big change -- the ability to use an iPhone 5s with its M7 motion coprocessor instead of a Fitbit activity-tracking device. This ability is called MobileTrack, and is part of the changes that also include an easier way for Fitbit owners to set up new devices with the app. Don't worry, though -- Fitbit still thinks you'll buy its tracking devices, and this is its way of giving iPhone 5s owners a way to "try before they buy" a Fitbit product. Arem Duplessis, the design director at The New York Times Magazine and the man responsible for some of the stunning covers on the magazine, is heading to Apple. In his new position, Duplessis will apparently be a creative director working on internal marketing -- those are the folks who get Apple's employees excited about the company's products. There's hope for peace in 2014 ... at least between Apple and Samsung. The companies have apparently resumed talks towards resolving patent-infringement fights between the rivals. An official of the Korean Fair Trade Commission told the Korea Times that the companies are "in the process of narrowing differences over royalty payments." Samsung is now on the hook for US$890 million in penalties after losing a retrial in the ongoing US patent battle. That patent infringement case enters yet another chapter in March, with the Galaxy S III and iPhone 5 taking center stage. Speaking of battles, Apple and Google will be fighting for dominance of the dashboard. Google and Audi are expected to announce next week at the Consumer Electronics Show that they're working together on in-car "info-tainment" systems that will run on Google's Android operating system. Apple currently has the lead in the automotive electronics race, with manufacturers including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors and Honda Motor Company working with the Cupertino company to ease integration with iOS devices.
New Honda Civic packs multi-touch interface and Here Maps navigation
With certain exceptions, Honda isn't frequently on the vanguard of car cabin technology. However, we'll have to toss out our expectations now that the automaker has detailed the 2014 Civic's center stack. The vehicle will be Honda's first to use Display Audio, an infotainment system with multi-touch input much like that on your smartphone. Drivers can pinch the map to zoom in, for instance. There's also a big update to HondaLink in store -- iOS users can buy a $60 navigation app that sends Here Maps data to the compact car's 7-inch touchscreen, including turn-by-turn directions and traffic alerts. Siri Eyes Free is part of Display Audio, too. Motorists will get the technology as soon as the new Civic goes on sale tomorrow, as long as they buy at least the EX model. Frugal buyers will also find it in the 2015 Fit launching next spring.
Honda Accord, Acura RDX and ILX get Siri Eyes Free as a dealer-installed option
We first got word that Siri Eyes Free was coming to the 2013 Honda Accord back in January, but now the auto maker is rolling out the feature to vehicles. Owners of either the aforementioned model, 2014 Accord and both the 2013 Acura RDX and ILX can get the dealer-installed accessory by visiting their local dealer. Through a software update, Apple's hands-free feature works in tandem with HondaLink and AcuraLink to complete tasks with the vehicles' built-in microphone and speaker set. There's still no word on exactly how much the upgrade will cost, but Honda has scheduled a Hangout for December 3rd to make a proper announcement, so perhaps we'll learn the sticker price then.
Ford acquires Livio to create a standard for in-car mobile app integration
Ford was quick to embrace in-car mobile app integration through its AppLink technology, but it wants a true industry standard to boost adoption. The company is tackling this problem this today by acquiring Livio, best-known for its Livio Connect in-car app gateway. Valued at under $10 million, the buyout will help Ford create a single app interface that any automaker could use. Mobile developers would only have to support one format to reach many infotainment units -- as long as Ford's rivals are willing to set aside their own platforms, of course. In the meantime, Ford is being cautious. It intends to keep Livio as a separate brand that will serve GM and other existing customers for the foreseeable future.
AT&T opens latest Foundry facility in Atlanta, focusing on the connected car, home automation and emerging devices
If you haven't been paying attention, here's the skinny: US carriers are doing everything they can to expand their horizons, and in the case of Verizon and AT&T, this sense of urgency has led to the creation of numerous innovation labs. In a nutshell, these facilities serve as incubation centers for startups and well-positioned outfits alike that are looking to add cellular connectivity to whatever it is they're hawking. AT&T's latest facility -- its fourth in total -- will open its doors later today, with the Atlanta-based Foundry focusing on innovation in the connected car and emerging devices sectors. Moreover, it'll be used to further AT&T's own U-verse and Digital Life platforms, though specifics of what exactly engineers will be toiling on remain under wraps. For an idea of what all goes down at places like this, have a look at a tour we took through one of Verizon's Innovation Centers right here; we're hoping to get a similar look at AT&T's lairs when time allows.
QNX and Panasonic link up to bring fancy in-car infotainment systems to more showrooms
For those who can't quite handle the down payment on a Bentley, there's a Porsche. For those who can't quite handle the down payment on a Porsche, there's... well, about to be something else to covet. QNX -- the same software outfit responsible for sprucing up the in-car infotainment systems in the aforesaid brands -- has just inked a deal with Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, which should deliver QNX CAR-based systems to vehicles sold in North America, Europe, and Japan. Sadly, neither company is coming clean on which automakers are lined up (if any) to swap their ho hum systems out for something a bit more modern, but we're certainly hoping that it's more than just a handful. Oh, and if any of the motorcar makers in attendance need any ideas for implementation....
NVIDIA opens Ann Arbor Technology Center focused on car systems
NVIDIA's no stranger to in-car technology, and the company is increasing its commitment to four-wheeled transportation by opening a dedicated automotive office in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The just-opened NVIDIA Technology Center will design driver aids and infotainment systems with the help of car makers that are just a stone's throw away -- the company mentions Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and others as potential clients. We'll likely have to wait a few years to see the new facility bear fruit, but it's already clear that NVIDIA wants to become an integral part of the motoring landscape.
Audi S3 Sportback gets built-in LTE, available in other models this fall
Audi was late to the party with an in-car hotspot, but it may have beaten the competition to built-in LTE. High-speed mobile broadband is now a feature available to S3 Sportbacks from July (you'll need to provide your own SIM), with other A3 variants catching up in November. The company's Audi Connect infotainment system benefits from this boost, and that LTE connection can be shared with passengers looking to stay under their data caps. No matter what kind of speed freak you are, you've now got a data connection to match the car's quarter-mile prowess.
