Spotify’s Android app now works with MirrorLink in-car systems

Posted on 05/10/2015 by Billy Steele

If you've been looking for another way to access Spotify playlists in your car, you might be in luck. MirrorLink-compatible in-car systems play nice with the music streaming service thanks to a hand from an app called RockScout. The MirrorLink plat...

Pioneer’s AppRadio 3 adds MirrorLink, Siri Eyes Free and more

Posted on 23/05/2013 by Nicole Lee

While Pioneer did announce at CES 2013 that its AppRadio 2 smartphone-powered in-dash unit would support the iPhone 5, the company was hush on any additional updates. Now, however, it has finally unveiled AppRadio 3, which is set to arrive in two models oh-so-descriptively named SPH-DA110 and SPH-DA210. Both retain the same functionality as the AppRadio 2 but add compatibility with MirrorLink enabled devices, thus expanding AppRadio's repertoire of supported products. Other notable features include integration with Siri Eyes Free for iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 owners, Google Voice Search for those with compatible Android phones, Bluetooth audio streaming and an enhanced touchscreen interface that allows easier access to smartphone features like apps, music and making calls.

As with its predecessor, the AppRadio 3 has a 7-inch WVGA (800 x 480) capacitive display, a built-in AM/FM tuner and dual pre-amp outputs. The SPH-DA210 model also includes a CD/DVD mechanism if you still have those dinosaur age discs lying around. The SPH-DA110 and SPH-DA210 will be available in July for around $399 and $499 respectively, while smartphone connectivity cables range from $30 to $60. If you're thinking of making an upgrade to your current head unit, have a closer look at the gallery below or check the press release after the break.

Gallery: Pioneer AppRadio 3

Filed under: Transportation

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RealVNC brings smartphone display mirroring to Panasonic’s in-car system

Posted on 20/02/2013 by Nicole Lee

Panasonic's automotive division, also known as the Automotive Systems Company, has just announced a collaboration with RealVNC to replicate your smartphone screen for control on your car's dashboard. The two firms have already worked together on the project for the past year, but have recently stepped it up to include integration of additional technologies like MirrorLink into Panasonic's Display-Audio infotainment system. According to RealVNC's press release, the system has "already been adopted by a major automotive manufacturer" and is currently available as a dealer option, though we're not sure which automaker that is. This isn't the first time RealVNC has explored its automotive potential -- it's partnered with Sony in the past, for example -- but it's certainly a sign that the tech is getting more mainstream. For more on the RealVNC and Panasonic partnership, take a peek at the press release after the break.

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RealVNC delivers MirrorLink[TM] capabilities to Automotive Systems Company, a division of Panasonic Corporation

Panasonic and RealVNC join forces to bring smartphone to vehicle connectivity to market

19th February 2013: Automotive Systems Company, a division of Panasonic Corporation selects RealVNC to deliver the next generation of in-car entertainment and driving experience. RealVNC's VNC(R) Automotive technology has been integrated in Panasonic's Display-Audio infotainment system to enable the screen of a smartphone to be replicated and controlled from the touchscreen display on the vehicle head unit. This provides drivers and passengers with seamless access to a wide range of smartphone content such as maps, music and internet radio.

As a leader in mobile to vehicle integration and cloud connectivity, and a core member of the international Car Connectivity Consortium, RealVNC provides Panasonic with advanced features and functionality that supports the Consortium's MirrorLink[TM] industry standard. Panasonic's Display-Audio system, has already been adopted by a major automotive manufacturer, is in production and is currently available to drivers as a dealer option.

"The smartphone is the content hub of this generation and users want access to their content and applications wherever they are, including in vehicle. We faced the challenge of meeting these needs in a way that was safe but where the experience was seamless," said Kenki Matsuda, Manager, Automotive Systems Company, a division of Panasonic Corporation. "RealVNC offers the most robust and advanced solution for connecting smartphone and vehicle with its VNC Automotive solution, whilst also providing MirrorLink support. Our Display-Audio infotainment system has been available in vehicles since last year enabling drivers to access the applications on their smartphones safely from the head unit."

Tom Blackie, Vice President Mobile of RealVNC added, "We are honoured to be working with Panasonic's Automotive Division, one of the leading global suppliers of automotive systems and components, to build VNC Automotive and MirrorLink support into its Display-Audio system. Panasonic's decision to use our technology ensures that they can offer advanced mobile to vehicle connectivity for the widest range of smartphone devices including support for legacy handsets."

VNC Automotive has been widely adopted by the automotive industry as the standard for integrating mobile and vehicle, with partners including the world's largest automotive, infotainment, OEM and Tier 1 manufacturers. VNC Automotive provides a seamless experience enabling smartphone connections via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB, the technology also supports other connectivity protocols such as MirrorLink and iPod Out.

Filed under: Transportation, Software

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Source: RealVNC

Eyes-on with Hyundai’s in-car tech for 2014: CloudCar, MirrorLink and a 9.2-inch display

Posted on 10/01/2013 by Jon Fingas

Many who live in North America wouldn't put Hyundai at the forefront of in-car technology, but the Korean au hoping to change that reputation by 2014 with a more internet- and mobile-savvy platform. We had an opportunity to peek at some of those components at the automaker's CES booth. CloudCar calls out for attention as the most distinctive: going beyond the existing BlueLink system, it pairs the car's infotainment unit with at least a Jelly Bean-equipped Android phone to put an always-online interface in front of the driver. The early CloudCar example runs on a very simple interface with options like Google Maps navigation, media playback and Google contacts on the left. It's built for multitasking and will keep directions going even as we're firing up NPR or sharing to Facebook (hopefully, while stopped). While it's not exceptionally deep, it appears suited to the need-it-quick nature of real driving, with shortcuts like directions to the office or a call to a favorite contact.

Other additions aren't quite as conspicuous, but could still be very welcome when we see it in future cabins. Hyundai is one of the first car builders that we know of to embrace MirrorLink, echoing whatever's on a phone's display (in this case, Android) through MHL; there's a companion Android app with a car-sized interface for navigation, hands-free calls and music. Hardware should get an upgrade as well through a premium system with a 9.2-inch, 720p display. The company isn't quite ready to narrow down which vehicles will see what upgrades, although we're told the early strategy may split CloudCar and MirrorLink between different model lines. If you're willing to accept that the technology could change in a year's time, you can get a peek at the future in the gallery below.

Gallery: Hyundai CloudCar, MirrorLink and 9.2-inch display at CES 2013

Filed under: GPS, Transportation

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Samsung announces Drive Link, a car-friendly app with MirrorLink integration

Posted on 28/08/2012 by Jamie Rigg

Until self-driving cars become mainstream, it's best to keep eyes on roads and hands off phones. With this in mind, Samsung's debuting Drive Link, an app that balances in-car essentials with driver safety, complete with approval from the no-nonsense Japanese Automotive Manufacturers Association. It's all about the bare essentials -- navigation, hands-free calling and audiotainment from your phone-based files or TuneIn. Destinations can be pulled from S Calendar appointments or texts without trouble, and the text-to-speech feature means you won't miss a message, email or social media update. The best bit is that via MirrorLink, all these goodies can be fed through compatible dash screens and speaker systems. Drive Link is available now through Sammy's app store for Europeans sporting an international Galaxy S III, and will be coming to other ICS handsets "in the near future."

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS, Transportation, Mobile

Samsung announces Drive Link, a car-friendly app with MirrorLink integration originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 05:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony’s first smartphone-friendly MirrorLink in-car AV hits European roads, iOS and Symbian get to ride first

Posted on 11/06/2012 by Jon Fingas

Sony outlined a grand future of smartphone-aware MirrorLink AV units back at CES, and the first example of the in-car media system is shipping right in line with the spring target. Although it's the more modest of the two we saw back in Las Vegas, the XAV-601BT aims to be the heart of anything mobile attached to your car with a 6.1-inch touchscreen and two USB ports to take advantage of your phone's music, navigation and other apps in a custom interface while another device charges on the side. Just don't expect Sony's stake in Android to have much bearing: at first, only more recent Symbian phones will have "guaranteed" MirrorLink support at first, with Android and possibly other platforms coming later. Even so, iPhone and iPod touch users still get into the party earlier through a Passenger App Control platform that lets certain iOS apps interact with or play videos through the head-end. Europeans should get a crack at the XAV-601BT before the end of the month, although we suspect Sony will want to wait for more phone support before bringing MirrorLink to less-than-Nokia-friendly American shores. More details await after the break.

Continue reading Sony's first smartphone-friendly MirrorLink in-car AV hits European roads, iOS and Symbian get to ride first

Sony's first smartphone-friendly MirrorLink in-car AV hits European roads, iOS and Symbian get to ride first originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung launches new services for the Galaxy S III: Music Hub, S Health and more

Posted on 03/05/2012 by Richard Lawler

Samsung has just taken the wraps off of its highly anticipated Galaxy S III and, in a move similar to Nokia's efforts with the Lumia line, decided to package extra services and features to further differentiate itself from the competition. Mentioned onstage were the S Health "personal wellness app" and an enhanced Music Hub cloud service with access to over 17 million tracks and an iTunes Match-sounding "Scan and Match" feature. Music Hub will launch in seven countries, while the matching feature is supported in six of those. There's also a hub for Games that promises quick tie ins to social gaming and a Video Hub with TV and movies. One other new feature is support for MirrorLink enabled headunits that should bring access to all of these things even while you're driving your car. Finally, there's NFC-based mobile payment support that should get some use among visitors to the Olympic games this summer.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy S III Services and features