When Honda unveiled the midsize 2016 Accord sedan on Thursday, the focus was immediately shifted to the technological upgrades above all else. This appeared to be deliberate, as the event was held in Silicon Valley, the global tech capital.
"Where else to introduce the most technologically advanced midsize sedan, the 2016 Accord, than in Silicon Valley," John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co.'s Automobiles Division, told Auto News.
The unveiling also came on the heels of the opening of the Japanese automaker's new research and development facility in Mountain View.
What immediately seized attention - more than those generated by the restyled front end and the LED lighting upgrade - was the car's 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Google's Android Auto. While this feature will first be implemented in the 2016 Accord, Honda stated that it will also be available in other product lines.
Frank Paluch, Honda's R&D Americas President, indicated that with these enhancements, the company is showing a shift in its mindset "as it looks to keep up with the changes in technology," Mashable reported.
Honda uses a distinctive two-display dashboard to mirror smartphone apps, which the driver can control either through voice command or touch controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionalities appear mostly on the lower LCD, CNET noted.
With the use of Apple and Google's proprietary car systems, Honda is seeking to distinguish itself from its competitors, which mostly adhere to their native entertainment and navigation systems. The idea is to increase consumer convenience through a UI that they are already familiar with.
While other car manufacturers began supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, these were implemented only as secondary interfaces, booting up when a smart phone is plugged in, according to Re/code. The reason for this is that other car makers are reportedly still wary about letting Apple or Google get too much control of the car.
