The Connected Car News – Everything you need to know about how to connect your smartphone, iPhone, iPad, tablet or any other device to your car through Wi-Fi, Bluetooh, Ligtning connectors, USB, HDMI, DLNA and other means. We cover trends of connected cars that almost drive themsleves
The 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe will come with OnStar 4G LTE and CUE apps and will be the most connected Cadillac to date. Soon all new model Cadillacs with have connected car technology.
There are a lot of questions raised in Covisint’s study on auto-owners and engagement. Covisint provided the platform for the Hyudai BlueLink system that connects to Google Glass and has Siri Eyes Free.
The study shows that the overall impression of the car maker improves with a great connected car experience over the life of the car and car owner.
While car makers continue to expand the size of head unit screens, Android smartphone users have another option, a completely voice-powered DriveSync connected car Android
The Audi A3 will have some new technology innovations that include AT&T LTE, picture mapping, special software and cell phone signal boost.
We finally have pricing for the AT&T LTE service in Audi A3 cars, owners can pay $99.99 for 5GB for a six month period or pay $499 for 30GB over a period thirty months. All new Audi A3 autos with Audi connect will receive a free six month trial of LTE service.
The fee works out to be $16.50 a month for the six month plan and $16.63 a month for the thirty month plan. (Obviously the place that called the $499 plan the best value was incorrect).
In Hannover, germany at CeBIt, Volkswagen CEO Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn showed James 2025 as the car cockpit of the future.
The comfy virtual cockpit allows drivers to relax and lets the car drive itself through a few buttons on the dash. When the car is in automatic driving mode, the head unit screen system shows the car’s planned driving maneuvers while a second screen gives access to infotainment functions. The steering wheel moves away. At any time like when an airplane is using auto-pilot the driver can take over driving the car.(see video below)
Pandora is one of the most popular streaming media apps and the company is hoping to be as ubiquitous in the automotive space. Pandora is opening up its box with great music at SXSW at the Gatsby inAustin’s Red River District. More than 35 acts are scheduled to perform over four days March 12-15 that will streamed live. Types of music played will include electronic, pop, hip hop, R&B, Americana, indie rock and eclectic music.
In an interview with iMedia Connection, Heidi Browning is the SVP of strategic solutions at Pandora, said some interesting things bout Pandora:
Connected car OBII device and app maker Zubie has partnered with iControl Networks. Together, they plan to offer home automation through cars and smartphones seamlessly.
Zubie lets family members know when you are your own way home or share locations with fellow Zubie users. Zubie connects to the OBII computer port on cars.
Apple’s CarPlay with its iPhone cache and sleek geek is coming with the same high style and high expense we’ve come to expect with Apple
At the Geneva Auto Show, Apple announced Apple CarPlay for iPod/iPad/iPhone and iOS in cars that will first arrive in Ferrari, Mercedez-Benz Hyundai and Volvo in 2104.
Apple calls CarPlay “The best iPhone experience on four wheels.” The display enlarges all of the iOS functions significantly.
Ford made many announcements at Mobile World Congress and showed how it is advancing connected car services.
The new Ford Focus has rear sensors for the Cross-Traffic Alerts warning drivers of traffic while driving in reverse as well as blind spot alerts. The City Stop feature will try to stop the Ford if there is chance of accident.
If developing for the connected car market is driving you crazy then you may want to visit AT&T Drive Studio, AT&T’s first connected car center for innovation and research in Atlanta.
In an interview on NPR we see two definitions of connected cars. It’s interesting to note that NPR is really into connected cars, in fact the NPR news app was one of General Motors’ first in-dash infotainment apps. We at AUTO Connected have an in-depth definition of “connected car.“