Audi Smart Car Phone :

Audi Unveils Smart Car Phone

By Anthony Fontanelle

Luxury carmaker Audi AG recently unleashed a smart phone for cars. This Sony Ericsson-made device takes car/phone integration to deliver utmost information and entertainment.

The device offers a mobile phone, car navigation system and video player, as well as being a verification system when starting the car and a remote device for air-conditioning and music selection. According to the automaker, the device also works outside the car. Matter of fact, a 3G module inside the vehicle can send location details to the phone if it is stolen.

If the owner is within a hotspot, he can access all in-car functions outside.

If the car is stolen, for instance, and goes outside of the WLAN connection area, a 3G mobile phone access module equipped with the car will automatically turn on and inform the car's present location to the terminal.

Users can maneuver the terminal using its touch panel screen and the attached stylus pen. Given the audio player capability displayed as "Walkman," the showcased terminal is a product of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB of the United Kingdom.

This time around, the German automaker is not just focusing on improving the Audi coupe radiator, engine, styling and ergonomics of its lineup; the company will be boosting its in-car information and entertainment features.

The "Metro Project Quattro" plug-in hybrid concept car that the automaker unveiled for the first time at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show is equipped with the said "Audi mobile device," a dedicated detachable terminal, at the vehicle's center console.

The terminal works as a verification system when starting the engine and supports mobile phone, car navigation system and video player capabilities, said Tech-on. These capabilities can also be operated from outside the car. With a port located at the center console inside the car, the terminal can be fit in there.

The Audi mobile device can render images shot with the camera set inside the car, as well as letting users remotely set automobile air conditioner and music programs playback from outside the car. Communications between the car and the terminal uses wireless LAN (WLAN).

Audi's adverts often boast of the number of patents clocked up by the German automaker. Innovations and milestones are continuous. And more are expected to come. As the competition in the automotive industry gets tougher and tougher, automakers in partnership with significant companies are expected to produce uality and fresh features to win back aficionados.

About the author:

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.