Audi to roll out in-car app store in select markets

MANILA: Audi is incorporating a native store for apps into select models as part of its ongoing efforts to further digitalize vehicles.

The innovation's technical foundation is an expansion of MIB 3 with a new electronic component, a USB flash drive-sized hardware module that is pre-installed with an open-source operating system that enables access to the third-party apps in the car.

“Audi is the first brand within the Volkswagen Group to introduce the new store for third party applications. Developed by CARIAD, this scalable solution is a proof point for our strategy to offer a highly attractive ecosystem for our customers. With this solution, Audi drivers will not only enjoy regular software updates but also an even more personalized infotainment system,” Audi Chief Technology Officer Oliver Hoffmann stated.

Customers now have access to a wide range of apps through the new store, which can be downloaded directly from a smartphone to the MMI. Music, video, gaming, navigation, parking & charging, productivity, weather, and news apps are all accessible at launch. The store will continue to expand as new apps are periodically added. Customers are able to access it by using a separate MMI tile. After then, the additional apps are easily integrated into the MMI and may be accessed even while driving safely. The app portfolio has been customized for the different markets.

Since 2019, Audi vehicles have been equipped with Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant. Customers will have the latest version of the Alexa app as well as new features, including an improved graphical user interface and a visual control panel to manage smart home devices, starting this summer.

The usage of third-party apps requires a data connection, which is provided by the "embedded SIM," a sim card that is fixed in the vehicle. The charges associated with the cellular network are billed through data volume for Audi owners in Europe. The first  25 gigabytes are free of charge. Presumably, Audi vehicles will still support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the “smartphone interface” option.

The Audi A3, Audi A4, Audi A5, Audi Q5, Audi A6, Audi A7, Audi A8, Audi Q8 e-tron, and Audi e-tron GT are among the cars that will have access to the store for apps starting in June. The  factory-installed store will be available in the United States, Canada, and Europe. More models will get the feature later this year. The third-party applications are not accessible on vehicles with an earlier date of production.

Audi takes advantage of the shared expertise and synergies within the Volkswagen Group to create and guarantee the success of complex digital systems, such as the new store for apps. CARIAD, Volkswagen Group's software company, is designing the technology stack for automated and connected driving, which consists of a standardized electronic architecture, a software platform, and a dependable connection to the automotive cloud, for all of the group's brands. Moreover, CARIAD is developing driver assistance systems, a standardized infotainment platform, and a new digital ecosystem centered around the vehicle.

Photos from Audi

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