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GOOGLE HAS TEAMED up with a number of automakers to bring its Android platform to cars.
The Open Automotive Alliance, which consists of Audi, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai and chipmaker Nvidia, will bring a specially-designed Android system to vehicles.
The first cars with Android integration are expected to arrive at the end of the year.
Google hopes to add more automakers to the group over time and said that it will “enthusiastically work” with any company that’s wants to integrate the service into their cars.
The group has already been in touch with US government agencies like the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ensure the new system doesn’t distract drivers while they’re on the road.
With the global auto industry expected to reach 85 million sales this year, the move gives Android another opportunity to add to the one billion smartphone and tablet activations it has.
This isn’t the first time that automakers have teamed up with technology companies. Ford Motors and Microsoft teamed up to create SYNC while Apple has partnered with a number of car companies to allow for Siri integration.
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will the Google cars have an “im feeling lucky” option to pick a destination?
If the wife is driving these android cars will she be able to park in the shopping centre?
Apple will probably bring out some iCar but unlike Android which is open source to all, the iCar will be strictly limited and keeping in line with Apples ‘walled garden’ will have GPS installed but will only allow travel where Apple say you can :-) :-)
Can’t understand why people still use apple. I used them at start of the smartphone thing and I guess there were streets ahead with their locked down phones till the galaxy s3 came out with the newest version of Android at the time and blew apple out of the water.
But I guess until they try Android for few days people who only ever used apple will stay with them.
Funny how people switch from ios to android and never the other way round
Apple already have a partnership with BMW
I went from apple to android back to apple ios7 is streets ahead
I also had android before going to Apple. I didn’t like Android. For some, it is not what they want in a phone.
Automotive engineer (in the industry), I’ve successfully linked up my iPhone to a car’s computer network (CAN), It’s not as strict as one might think.
Android is not open source to all – it contains proprietary components. You should install Replicant if you want the true free and open source version of Android.
I agree with you on Apple ‘ jail made cool’ hardware devices.
Only took 3 comments for the fandroid insecurity to kick in, god forbid apple went away, they’d have to beat down Nokia then to keep them happy
Incorrect and just shows the average intelligence of the android user who spouts this shite, more people are switching from android to iOS than iOS to android, try some intelligent researching before spouting rubbish .
The Android vs iOS/Apple debate is always humorous here.
Apple already announced this last year. It’s called “iOS in the Car” .. Google playing catch up again!
Hi David can you access the cars own systems & diagnostics by doing this?
“Google playing catch up again!
http://www.apple.com/ios/whats-new/”
Hilarious! He links to the iOS What’s New page, highlighting revolutionary, never-before-seen, features such as Control Center, Notification Center, and Multi Tasking.
Class.
@cpm .. You just made my point for me .. It’s an old page .. They announced it last year .. Take a moment away from being a smart arse and scroll down on that page to where it says “iOS in the Car”.
He’a referring to a section at the bottom of that page, about car integration with iOS.
I didn’t make any point for you, it’s their iOS7 page, the latest version of their OS, heralding new* features such as Control Center, Notification Center, and Multi Tasking – And you’re using it as an example of Google copying Apple! Good man!
*Features that Android has had for the last God-knows-how-long
Try keep up, David.
I don’t quite understand what I need to “keep up” on. I was under the impression you just missed the section regarding iOS in the car, on the website provides.
Leave him off David .. I was merely pointing out that Apple had already announced a superior version. It was inevitable that some fandroid would start bickering with the ‘android had it first’ argument … I didn’t say anything about android .. It was about Apple and Google .. He’s obviously never heard of the Nexus Q (failed Apple TV “killer”) or Google Now / SVoice (Siri knockoff) .. They all copy each other .. No need to get knickers in a twist cpm
“Stink Eye
3 hours ago
Google playing catch up again!”
“Stink Eye
10 minutes ago
It was inevitable that some fandroid would start bickering with the ‘android had it first’ argument”
You poor confused man
Good man cpm, get the last word in… I’ll let you have it .. 3..2..1.. Go!!
In practical terms this will be fantastic, apps like TunedIn etc will mean you can have world wide access to radio stations, spotify to never have to change a cd again, regularly updated sat-nav. Real time traffic info can be determined, breakdowns can be instantly reported and located as could accidents. Maybe some features can be disabled as the car is in motion.
It also probably means you will need a data plan for your car.
Volvo already have Spotify integration available
Our first car at home was a second hand yellow mini. I thought it was the bees knees as a nipper. Huge steering wheel and the huge speedo in the centre console. Not an Android in sight
Big brother gets bigger and bigger.
The Google stuff is opt in (as always)
They called it Judgement Day…..
all of you fighting over which is better, iOS or android need to stop. They are just software and it depends on a persons taste whichever one they prefer. I myself prefer iOS for its simplicity. it has it’s faults, apple maps I’m looking at you. I have tried android and it is definitely not for me but I can understand we some people like it ;)
“The group has already been in touch with US government agencies like the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)…………….”
I’m sure a few other US Govt agencies have shown an interest in the project too.
I’ll stick to my MP3 player thank you very much. I don’t need, or want, to be connected to everything all of the time.
Just another method of spying.
It’s good as a lot of the present systems are Windows CE based (e.g Idrive).
Pain in the hoop trying to sync Bluetooth to them.
have your say