Jaguar Land Rover Shows Off Smartphone App Integration at CES
Smart-phone app integration is a major part of the Jaguar Land Rover InControl infotainment system and we got a chance to sample and see some of the apps that are launching with the new system.
To use the system, you install the InControl app on your smart-phone (both Android and Apple devices are supported) and when you connect the phone to the car, all you need to do is go to the “InControl apps” menu. From there, you get a list of supported apps that are installed on the device. If you want more, you can use the InControl app on your phone to find and download compatible apps.
2015 Consumer Electronics Show Coverage
Some of the more interesting apps that will be launching with InControl support include AudioBooks.com, Rdio, NPR, Glympse and Magellan’s SmartGPS system.
Behind InControl is something called mySpin from supplier Bosch. At CES, Bosch gave us a preview of several apps that are launching with full support of mySpin.
Most notable was the Rdio application. It featured a very rich user interface and the ability to search for music and browse the users library. Album art was a main focal point and after comparing the Rdio app to other InControl apps, it’s clear that the developers were given free reign in terms of designing their apps.
Another interesting app was from AudioBooks.com which allowed users to see popular books and listen to them. Content is downloaded and played via the smart-phones internet connection. Visually, you can see that there’s a difference between the AudioBooks app and the other InControl apps.
We found the Magellan SmartGPS system to be very interesting as well. Magellan has officially been announced as the lead navigation application for 2016 Jaguar Land Rover vehicles. The integration here allows for extra content like Yelp and Foursquare support in addition to real-time traffic routing. Additionally, users of this app will get “Last Mile” navigation, which means you can seamlessly get walking directions after you get out of your vehicle straiht from your phone.
Other demonstrations showcased similar connectivity, leveraging your smart-phone’s internet connection while offering a car friendly interface. While Jaguar Land Rover’s infotainment system won’t use Apple Car Play or Android Auto, it still offers many of the same benefits while keeping app developers happy.
Sami has an unquenchable thirst for car knowledge and has been at AutoGuide for the past six years. He has a degree in journalism and media studies from the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto and has won multiple journalism awards from the Automotive Journalist Association of Canada. Sami is also on the jury for the World Car Awards.
More by Sami Haj-Assaad
Comments
Join the conversation
as Joe said I am stunned that people able to get paid $5327 in 1 month on the computer . find out here now