GM, Audi, Hyundai, Honda, nVidia officially join Google's Android automotive push
Google's bid to counter Apple's iOS in the Car strategy with an Android-based solution gained a new head of steam Monday with the announcement of the Google-led Open Automotive Alliance.
Word of the initiative first surfaced last week with a report that Google and German marque Audi would soon announce a partnership aimed at bringing Android-powered "infotainment" systems to the carmaker's vehicle lineup. With the addition of General Motors, Hyundai, and Honda, Google now counts 4 of the top 10 auto manufacturers in the world as backers.
The Open Automotive Alliance appears to be modeled on the Open Handset Alliance, a Google-led consortium that drives commercial development of Android for mobile devices. Chipmaker nVidia is a member of both groups and is so far the only technology company other than Google on the automotive roster.
According to the cabal's website, "timing from each automaker will vary, but [consumers] can expect to see the first cars with Android integration by the end of this year." Talks with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are said to have already begun.
It is unclear what Monday's announcement means for Apple's iOS in the Car program. GM, Hyundai, and Honda were among the manufacturers previously tabbed as Apple partners and have already announced vehicles sporting the iPhone-powered system for release in 2014.
General Motors sees "huge opportunities for the Android platform" in future vehicles, connected car chief Mary Chan said in a release announcing the alliance. The company began integrating Apple's Siri Eyes Free functionality, a precursor to iOS in the Car, in several 2014 models where it has received "remarkable" customer response.
In the same release, Honda R&D head Yoshiharu Yamamoto said the Japanese marque is "very pleased to join this alliance with Google as a founding member because Honda is committed to providing the very best connected-car experience to our customers." Honda, like General Motors, has already added Siri Eyes Free capability and introduced a new iPhone-powered in-dash system for 2014 Civic and 2015 Fit models.
Word of the initiative first surfaced last week with a report that Google and German marque Audi would soon announce a partnership aimed at bringing Android-powered "infotainment" systems to the carmaker's vehicle lineup. With the addition of General Motors, Hyundai, and Honda, Google now counts 4 of the top 10 auto manufacturers in the world as backers.
The Open Automotive Alliance appears to be modeled on the Open Handset Alliance, a Google-led consortium that drives commercial development of Android for mobile devices. Chipmaker nVidia is a member of both groups and is so far the only technology company other than Google on the automotive roster.
According to the cabal's website, "timing from each automaker will vary, but [consumers] can expect to see the first cars with Android integration by the end of this year." Talks with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are said to have already begun.
The world's largest automaker, Toyota, remains unaffiliated.
It is unclear what Monday's announcement means for Apple's iOS in the Car program. GM, Hyundai, and Honda were among the manufacturers previously tabbed as Apple partners and have already announced vehicles sporting the iPhone-powered system for release in 2014.
General Motors sees "huge opportunities for the Android platform" in future vehicles, connected car chief Mary Chan said in a release announcing the alliance. The company began integrating Apple's Siri Eyes Free functionality, a precursor to iOS in the Car, in several 2014 models where it has received "remarkable" customer response.
In the same release, Honda R&D head Yoshiharu Yamamoto said the Japanese marque is "very pleased to join this alliance with Google as a founding member because Honda is committed to providing the very best connected-car experience to our customers." Honda, like General Motors, has already added Siri Eyes Free capability and introduced a new iPhone-powered in-dash system for 2014 Civic and 2015 Fit models.
Comments
This does seem like a big win for android but I'm sure eventually the car company's will realize that 90% of android users have no idea how to use their phone.
I believe the intent of the OAA is to develop solutions that can integrate iPhones, Android phones, Blackberry, Windows or whatever. I don't think Apple has the same goal.
nVidia makes cars now?
Oh, is that what the Titan is?
Well, have a platform worth developing for and maybe they’ll develop for it.
" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />
What makes you think they won't be able to use iDevices with whatever solutions the Google-led OAA offers? Sounds like an argument without a basis. If I've understood correctly iOS in the Car is meant to supplement manufacturer's own systems for those using Apple devices. The OAA has a different idea in mind.
IMO a couple of posters are commenting by reflex. Android. Bad. Bad Google. Evil.
So tru, dont they know that people that buy their expencive cars have ios?
Is iOS in the car only compatible with iOS devices?
I thinks so, but I don't know for sure. My iPhone connects to my KIA Sorento now, but it doesn't do much more than control audio media and phone. (no internal display in my model)
Exactly. The wife's new Lexus works really well with the iPhone, even Siri control while driving. Connection via your choice of Bluetooth or USB.
I wouldn't trust an Android device connected to my car. Sorry. Too much malware on that platform.
OMG, you have at last seen the light ...
I believe the intent of the OAA is to develop solutions that can integrate iPhones, Android phones, Blackberry, Windows or whatever. I don't think Apple has the same goal.
That's not what the article says and that's never what Google has in mind. All they want to do is to push another way to force advertising onto everything they can. Just think, they'll be able to map everywhere you drive and let the NSA grab their data.
Also... what's with all these companies just copying Apple? Apple announced iOS in the car like two years ago when Forstall gave the iOS 6 keynote. Typical of this show... take what Apple invented and try to pass it off as your latest and greatest idea and then claim that it was "obvious". Well, if it was so obvious, why didn't you do it first? Same crap with all these shows.
Don't you all see ...? It's so the new Google robots can find which cars to stomp on in the new world order.
What makes me think that is that they don't say a single word about that level of "openness" on their own website, linked to in the story here. All kinds of other puffery, but nothing about anything but Android.
Perhaps you have other information you could link to.