Google and German car maker Audi are reportedly planning to make an announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week about unveiling a new in-car infotainment system that runs on Android software.
The battle for supremacy is not coming to an end anytime soon between the two tech giants, Apple and Google. The Cupertino-based tech firm may have taken lead in the automobile market, but Google is not far behind. A latest report suggests that the search engine giant is planning to explore sectors outside its current domain.
Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that Google and Audi are working together to bring a new in-car infotainment system that will run on the web giant's very own and dominant mobile platform, Android. Both companies plan to announce the new partnership at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week.
The companies also plan to announce collaborative efforts with other tech companies including chip maker Nvidia, to develop the Android-based in-car entertainment and information systems for future vehicles. The technology aims at granting access to music, navigations, apps and services that are currently used in Android smartphones, people familiar with the matter told WSJ.
Google's entry into the automobile market isn't new. After all, the Internet giant was the first to invent the self-driving car technology, which is currently being tested before hitting full production.
However, Apple has a lead in the car infotainment sector, already partnering with bigwigs like Chevrolet, Ferrari, Opel, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, Honda, Volvo, Acura, Hyundai, Kia and Jaguar. These well-known car makers have pledged to integrate Apple's iOS platform into their future cars, says Apple.
"The car is becoming the ultimate mobile device," Thilo Koslowski, an analyst at the research firm Gartner Inc. IT, who specializes in advanced in-car electronics, told WSJ. "Apple and Google see that and are trying to line up allies to bring their technology into the vehicle."
