Google and Audi Expected to Announce the Android-based Car System
The next battle arena for Google appears to be automobile space as Google in partnership with Audi is rumoured to make a new in-car entertainment and information system next week at Consumer Electronics Show as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Basically, Google collaborates with the German carmaker, to develop in-car entertainment and information systems based on its Android software. Both companies desire to "allow drivers and passengers to access music, navigation, apps, and services that are similar to those widely available now on Android-powered smartphones."
"The car is becoming the ultimate mobile device," Thilo Koslowski stated, an analyst who specialises in advanced in-car electronics at the research firm Gartner Inc. "Apple and Google see that and are trying to line up allies to bring their technology into the vehicle."
Apple, the Cupertino tech giant is also making connections with car companies like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, General Motors and Honda to incorporate iOS into car makers dashboard controls but Google is not giving up the tract to Apple just yet. Car makers are continuously looking for new technologies that can add features to their vehicles, and Android as a free operating system, is just the thing they are looking for in snatching the spotlight in the automobile industry.
"We are starting to see an uptick of Android use in car makers, starting in Asia and working its way across the world," Rajeev Kumar said, a world-wide director of business development for Freescale Semiconductor Inc., a large supplier of chips used in cars.
Reports further say that Google is also planning to work with other companies including Nvidia, chip manufacturer, to make Android available within vehicles, which will let drivers and passengers experience what Android smartphones have.
Google's aims in making in-car entertainment come as Apple announced its "iOS in the Car" initiative last June during its WWDC 2013 keynote, having objectives like giving drivers and passengers direct access to the functionalities of iOS devices via native in-car control systems.
Google and Audi did not make comment about this news.