Keyless entry, navigation with touchscreen, self-parking cars, rearview cameras - cars have become significantly smarter over the past decades. Yet, our sacred cows lag far behind smartphones, especially in terms of connectivity. Change is coming in that area as well; various manufacturers have introduced systems that allow you to enjoy the possibilities that the internet offers even in the car.
Renault R-Link
One of those new cars that you can equip with 'internet' is the Renault Clio. This car is optionally available with R-Link, Renault's own system based on Android. However, the screen integrated into the center console is not simply an Android tablet; you cannot install or run Android apps on it. Renault has developed its own ecosystem and created its own store for it. In that store, you will search in vain for free apps; everything is paid. This is related to how you pay for data usage at Renault. You do not need to subscribe to a mobile provider, nor do you need to share your phone's 3G network. Instead, you must subscribe to a basic package of apps from Renault or TomTom and can purchase additional apps separately.
But what possibilities does being always 'connected' offer in the case of the Clio? For example, navigation that allows you to easily search for locations in the vicinity that are not typically included in a navigation system. Additionally, you can analyze and compare your car's consumption and your driving behavior very accurately with other Clio drivers. Renault also gives you tips on how to drive even more economically. Start the car and you see the weather report, while the car also monitors the air quality of the outside air. Handy is the system that allows the car to contact a service point by itself if a problem is detected; the display of Twitter messages on the dashboard is more of a gimmick. Completely a toy, but no less fun is R-Sound Effect. This app offers you a choice of several different engine sounds that are played over the sound information and are tuned to the use of the accelerator pedal. So while you actually have a small three-cylinder engine under the hood, you get the (sound) sensation of driving with a powerful V8.
Volvo Sensus Connected Touch
Another manufacturer that optionally makes your car 'connected' is Volvo. Their system, Sensus Connected Touch, goes a step further than R-Link. It should be noted that you must provide your own internet connection using a 3G or 4G dongle. You will need to invest in that, but many apps are free or require only a small investment. Because the system is based on Asteroid, an Android derivative that is also used by other manufacturers, the range of apps is larger and it is also more interesting for developers to write apps. Once you have the connection sorted out, the possibilities are endless. First of all, the Volvo with Sensus Connected Touch has a browser, so you can quickly look something up online (when stationary). You can also stream music via Spotify or Deezer, or choose from over 80,000 radio stations from around the world via TuneIn. Navigation is available in the form of iGO, which shows buildings in 3D and can be linked to Google Search. Other apps provide you with real-time traffic information, weather forecasts, or help you find the nearest dealer. Smart is the hotspot function, which allows your passengers to benefit from your car's internet connection.
Aftermarket installation
For those who want to be connected but are not yet ready for a new car, the French company Parrot offers a solution. They also have an Asteroid system, but they offer it for aftermarket installation. In terms of functions, the system largely corresponds to Volvo's Sensus Connected Touch. This is not surprising, as the latter is a descendant of this Parrot Asteroid Smart. Thanks to the 2-DIN format, you can install the Parrot in many modern cars. The device is equipped with a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen and can also work with apps like Spotify, TuneIn, Google Search, and various navigation software. Through the Asteroid Market, you can download a significant number of different apps. For internet connection, you need a dongle, smartphone with internet connection, or an active Wi-Fi network.
Future
Currently, developments are still in their infancy, although Parrot's Asteroid system is already close to a full-fledged tablet in the car. The possibilities are endless, just as has been proven for smartphones and tablets. Especially now that voice control is getting better and better, the fiction of Knight Rider is getting closer. It seems just a matter of time before cars already know where we want to go before you get in (think of Google Now), engage in conversation with you, and point out that nice café or remind you to drive by the florist because your mother-in-law's birthday is tomorrow. Perhaps traffic flirting will get a whole new meaning thanks to a car app from Lexa or Pepper...
