For motor vehicle drivers, various obstacles are always faced when they want to obtain various information and entertainment contents through smart phone applications. But now, the “relocation action†for this kind of obstacle has finally reached a high gear. 
Faced with constant complaints from consumers and new revenue-generating prospects, automotive manufacturers and major companies in the smartphone and application markets are making full use of their software and hardware to eliminate obstacles that prevent the perfect integration of automotive displays and application content. .
A number of new products have emerged, making it possible for electronic devices in the car center console to use the data provided by smart phone applications to obtain real-time traffic maps, parking lot entrances and weather forecast information.
“This year is a turning point,†said Thilo Koslowski, an on-board technical analyst at Gartner, a US market research firm. “There have been a lot of discussions about on-board applications before, but from 2014 on, this revolution will Really staged."
GM has partnered with Pandora to integrate this streaming music service on the center console of most Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac models. Honda also integrated Aha Radio into its own car. If you purchase a 2014 Mercedes-Benz car, you will find the TuneIn internet radio app on the center console, and you can listen to broadcasts from all over the world through your smart phone. Next year, General Motors and Audi will also launch models equipped with 4G Internet access, so that drivers can even completely abandon their smartphones.
BMW is also developing an app store that imitates Apple’s iTunes, in order to provide users with their own automotive applications. The app store is expected to be launched in Europe later this year, and in the United States in 2015.
The new selling point for car manufacturers, electronic and communications capabilities have become a key selling point, and for many buyers, this is even more important than engine power or handling, especially for young consumers and first-time car buyers. “This is a major transformation of the entire industry in the digital environment,†said Mathias Haller, architect of Audi’s chief infotainment system.
Automobile manufacturers cannot miss opportunities in the transition of center console technology. Ford Motors (15.75, -0.11, -0.69%) became an early leader with the Sync system, but later, as the system's features became more complex and loopholes increased, consumers were bothered and even damaged. The company's reputation for quality.
We can call this trend today "Automotive Application 2.0". The new models released in the past few years have used USB interfaces, microphones, and Bluetooth technologies to help users achieve hands-free cell phone conversations. Some models can even listen to podcasts or streaming music on smartphones. However, the interface of the first generation products is usually bloated and may distract the driver and cause danger. Due to confusing voice commands, the driver had to pick up the phone and use the finger to operate the screen to select songs, view addresses, or enter destination information.
However, this situation will soon change. At the New York International Auto Show last month, a Mercedes-Benz car was equipped with an on-board infotainment system using the Apple CarPlay system. The interface and feel of the system is exactly the same as the iPhone - the icons on the car's display are exactly the same as the iPhone icons.
"The less things a driver needs to learn, the higher the security," said Kal Mos, director of infotainment at Mercedes-Benz. Moss said that the system will begin to be assembled into Mercedes-Benz cars by the end of this year.
Christine Bickley, a computer specialist in New Jersey, USA, found that when she recently drove her 2014 Kia ​​Freddy home, the car’s UVO infotainment system would automatically synchronize with her Samsung Galaxy phone and then pass it. The car plays streaming music in mobile apps. All operations do not need to move the hand off the steering wheel, and the eyes can still stare at the road.
"It was so cool. When I got into the car, Bluetooth was automatically connected. There is a button on the steering wheel to change the playlist. I don't need to touch the phone - it's always in my bag." Bickley said. The singer, song, and playlist information originally displayed on the screen of the mobile phone will be projected onto the screen of the center console.
"I bought the car and immediately called my friends and let them come and see." Bickley said.
Huge potential Mobile technology providers and car makers are still wary of each other, but if they can attract more consumers like Bickley, they will gain a lot of benefits.
"This is definitely an arms race to integrate smart phones into every car," said Kanwalinder Singh, vice president of business development at Qualcomm (80.41, 0.04, 0.05%). Qualcomm's chips have become a key component of smart phones and they are currently looking to the automotive market. The annual global car sales are about 10 million vehicles, and currently only about 10% have an onboard communication system.
Security experts also hope that the new center console electronic devices can use smart phones to simplify the operation and reduce the distraction of the driver's energy. Adrian Lund, chairman of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said early studies have shown that such technologies do not at least lead to further dispersion of energy. Although drivers can use smart phones to do more, but because of the simpler operation, they can use these functions to “make sure that they keep their eyes on the road and keep their hands on the wheelâ€.