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Automakers are the main focus for Google and Apple at the hour. Each company wants to get away of its comfort zone by introducing new features and devices that are related to cars, electric cars, driverless cars. Who will lead the market is yet to find out, taking into consideration that they lead it in a peaceful rivalry every time they release something that is breathtaking and highly innovative.
On the one hand, there’s Google that hosted a boot camp this month for its employees that work in the Android operating system sector, stating that the highest subject of interest has been related to automakers. In order to prove their points, to investigate about the needs that are specified and the possibilities that exist to make all customer’s wishes come true, the participants at the camp went on a trip to Android Auto.
Android Auto is actually a dashboard system that has the role of letting a smartphone command the center screen of a car. Navigation, communicating, playing music and apps are taken into consideration, because all of them need to be available for the clients who beneficiate of the service.
On the other hand, Apple has its CarPlay system that tries to offer similar services to drivers who own iPhone smartphones. Apple has currently employed more than 200 engineers to work on its latest electric vehicle project called “Titan”. A123 has lost some of its employees to Apple, who didn’t mention if they will be needed for a new battery program or for the electric car project.
Sillicon Valley companies are full of ideas that relate to autos, Apple and Google being the first ones to try to find more ways to innovate. In some months, dealerships across the country will be using Android Auto, Apple CarPlay or both for their brand new generation cars.
John Maddox, assistant director of the University of Michigan’s Mobility Transformation Center has stated that:
“Consumers have spoken. They expect to have coordination between their phone and their vehicle.”
The development of Android Auto has taken two years. The method used by the drivers will be very simple: with the help of a USB cord, a deep relationship will be created between the smartphone and he car’s screen. In order not to be used while driving, the screen of the phone will go dark. Apple CarPay works in a similar way, having specific buttons created for calling, managing music, maps, messaging and other applications that are present on the car’s center screen.
Image Source: PC Mag
