Google and Audi join forces to bring Android to the car

First came the entertainment and navigation systems presented individually by each brand; but the arrival of Microsoft and Apple in the market for apps and systems dedicated to the car opened a new front in the technology world. If millions of people download apps to their phones for their daily routines, just as many millions will do so to add more features to the car.

But there was one player that few had paid attention to, until now. Android is another operating system used on mobile phones that can also be used in cars, and it has given Apple a major lead in market share in the phone market. Android is no stranger to the automotive world, but this is the first time Google has closely controlled the development of a system specifically dedicated to cars.

Google’s next technology partner for car-dedicated apps will be Audi. The German brand will present at the next CES an entertainment and information system based on Android. And there is a rumour that the dedicated graphics chip maker NVIDIA is part of the project. That said, Android is quite a bit behind Apple in its future relationship with the car world; the little apple already has BMW, Daimler, GM and Honda on its side, developing systems based on iOS.

This news may not be very relevant for the USA, where Apple users are the majority, but it comes as a perfect fit for Europeans. In Spain, most phones run Android and surely many of these users would be more than happy to be able to connect their phone or tablet to their car or to find navigation and apps managed by the car itself.

Via | WSJ