Manufacturers are pouring countless hours (and dollars) into developing more advanced infotainment systems, as they race for technology leadership...
It’s been a long time coming, but Mazda will finally offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across its range by the end of the year and there’s good news in store for current owners. Unlike a lot of manufacturers that won’t retrofit new technology to existing products, Mazda will offer customers the ability to retrofit the smartphone mirroring technology to all vehicles equipped with MZD Connect...
People often say “don’t forget where you came from”. Although we’re focused on every new car, every last detail here at CarAdvice, we have an extensive back-catalogue of news stories, lifestyle yarns and reviews. Here’s a look at what happened on the week of June 26 in years past...
Subaru of America has detailed the upgraded 2019 WRX and WRX STI range for the USA, bringing new safety kit and infotainment to the sports sedan line-up. In addition to the limited-edition Series.Gray specials revealed earlier this week, the WRX now comes as standard in North America with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist system when equipped with the CVT – meaning autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist are now included...
Update (28/5/18): FCA Australia has indicated the regular Fiat 500 will be getting the upgraded infotainment system as well. See bottom of article for details. The Abarth 595 line-up has been upgraded for the 2018 model year, bringing an upgraded infotainment display and smartphone mirroring technology. Now measuring 7.0 inches (up from 5...
Volvo Cars will embed Google Assistant, Maps and the Google Play Store in its next-generation Sensus infotainment system. As announced in May 2017, the replacement for Volvo's current infotainment system will be based on Google Android – something Audi is also planning. Although both system will have the same software skeleton, each manufacturer will be able to make the system look like their own...
Mazda has begun its rollout of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, announcing the features will be added to the North American 6 sedan during their summer. At this point, the feature is reserved for the facelifted Mazda 6 in North America, but it's not likely to be long before the technology makes its way to Australia...
Australian pricing and specs for the revised 2018 Maserati GranCabrio have been announced, with the V8 Italian drop-top to kick off from $335,000 before on-road costs. The car will be offered in two trim levels: Sport (below in blue) and MC, or Maserati Corse (above). Both are powered by the same naturally-aspirated 4.7-litre V8 engine, making 343kW and 520Nm...
While Mazda leads the game in Australia on many fronts, it falls short in the field of basic smartphone technology and connectivity. Speaking to media at the 2017 Los Angeles motor show, president and CEO of Mazda North America Operations, Masahiro Moro said technology like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is on the way...
The upgraded 2018 Fiat 500X has been revealed for the US market, with an Australian launch confirmed for sometime in the first quarter of next year. As is often the case with Fiat's 500-badged models, the retro styling of the 500X shows only subtle changes for the new model year. Indeed, tweaks on the outside are limited to new colours: Donatello Bronze (bottom) and Alpi Matte Green (top)...
Forget Android Auto as you know it right now. Google's next leap into automotive infotainment will be right there in the dash before you've even connected your phone. The tech giant has today announced its platform will form the basis of next-generation infotainment for Volvo and Audi...
The special-edition 2017 Fiat 500 Mirror has been revealed in Europe with the latest smartphone connectivity, but it appears buyers in Australia are set to miss out. The new Fiat 500 Mirror model is named after its smartphone mirroring tech, with the media system including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - two in-demand items from consumers, particularly in the city car segment of the market...
Kia Australia has quietly introduced Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring software across most of its range, while also hinting at mid-life 'upgrades' for the Carnival MPV, Optima sedan and Sorento SUV...
Welcome to the CarAdvice.com News Desk, a regular video wrap of the latest happenings in the automotive world and Australia's new-car market. Keeping you in the loop, Tegan Lawson presents a weekly video from the CarAdvice Garage, with everything you need to know about the week in news and reviews...
Mazda's US arm has confirmed it will add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility to its line-up, though timing is still to be confirmed. Speaking to Cars.com at the US launch of the new CX-5, a spokesperson for the company said it is planning to introduce the smartphone mirroring technology, though didn't say which vehicle will debut the feature...
Better known for its use in smartphones and tablets, Google's Android operating system could soon power entire infotainment systems. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week, technology companies Panasonic, Qualcomm and Google have taken the concept of Android Auto one step further, presenting a standalone infotainment system running Android 7...
Ford and Toyota have created the SmartDeviceLink Consortium to develop and promote an in-car smartphone application connectivity standard that will, the car makers' hope, rival the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay app mirroring technologies...
If you've been agonising over your car's lack of compatibility with Android Auto or Apple Carplay, maybe you've gone so far as to consider a new car, or - where possible - replacing your car's existing infotainment system with a compatible aftermarket option. For Android users, there's now another option: stick your phone in a cradle and fire up the full Android Auto experience right there on the device itself...
The 2017 BMW 5 Series has been unveiled, bringing with it a host of advanced technology and features - including a handy world-first for fans of the Apple iPhone. BMW's G30 5 Series debuts wireless Apple CarPlay integration, which eliminates the use of a cable. If you're anything like this writer, with a ritualistic phone charging routine, this will be a godsend...
Welcome to the CarAdvice.com News Desk, a regular video wrap of the latest happenings in the automotive world and Australia's new-car market. Keeping you in the loop, Tegan Lawson presents a weekly video from the CarAdvice Garage, with everything you need to know about the week in news and reviews...
